Expect Construction Delays on Saturday

If you’re heading to the game on Saturday, lease take heed with the following Press Release from Sounders FC regarding construction around Qwest Field…

Sounders FC Fans Should Expect Construction Activity Around Qwest Field

RENTON. Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC fans will see significant construction activity as they arrive at Qwest Field for Saturday’s match vs. the Kansas City Wizards.  The match starts at 7:30 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to avoid South Royal Brougham Way unless they park in the Qwest Event Center Garage. Fans parking in the garage will have access by one lane only via South Royal Brougham Way and Fourth Avenue South.

Pedestrian access on South Royal Brougham Way will be open at all times though it may be limited to either the north or south sidewalk. Clearly marked pedestrian detours will be provided. Crews will stop all work at least two hours before games and events. Also, newly completed turn and through lanes at the intersection of First Avenue S. and Edgar Martinez Drive S. will help keep traffic moving.

Crews working for WSDOT contractor Kiewit Pacific Co. are building a new bridge over the railroad tracks on Royal Brougham Way. Bridge construction will require narrowing the street to one lane in each direction between Occidental Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S. during major events and closing the street to through traffic at all other times until early spring 2010.

Fans are encouraged to plan ahead and may experience additional congestion and delays on streets near Qwest Field. Fans may also encounter longer walks to the facility due to parking restrictions and pedestrian detours.

Fans are encouraged to take these steps to arrive on time:

• Allow extra time.
• Carpool or use transit. Try parking downtown and taking the bus to the stadiums.
• Know before you go:
  1. Check the SR 519 Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr519/.
  2. For city streets – check real-time traffic, construction and closure info on the city’s new Traveler Information Web site at web5.seattle.gov/travlers.

What you can expect—

• Lane closures on S. Royal Brougham Way between Occidental Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S. Access to the Qwest Field garage will be provided.
• A full closure and no parking on Third Avenue S. between the Atlantic Street overpass and S. Royal Brougham Way.
• Lane closures on Fourth Avenue S. near S. Royal Brougham Way (beginning in May).
• Lane closures and parking restrictions on First Avenue S. between Starbucks and the Spokane Street Viaduct.
• Fewer on-street parking spaces in SODO.