Date:  Friday, April 24, 2009

Contact: Greg Phipps, WSDOT Communications, 206-464-1265

Drivers traveling to events at Seattle’s sports stadiums should expect a full closure of S. Royal Brougham Way between Occidental Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S. unless they plan to park in the Qwest Event Center Garage.

WSDOT and Kiewit Pacific Co. will use the following traffic plan on days with major events at Qwest Field or Safeco Field:

• S. Royal Brougham Way will be closed to through traffic. Previously, the street was narrowed to one lane in each direction on event days. Drivers can get around the closure using Fourth Avenue S., Edgar Martinez Drive S. and First Avenue S.
• Access to the Qwest Event Center Garage will be provided from two hours prior to an event until two hours after an event using one eastbound and one westbound lane.
• Left turns from northbound Fourth Avenue S. to westbound S. Royal Brougham Way will be prohibited.
  

WSDOT and contractor Kiewit Pacific Co. revised the event day plan after observing vehicles crossing the tracks despite the presence of flaggers, and crossing arms and signals alerting them of oncoming trains. This plan will be in effect until further notice. Pedestrian access will not be affected by these changes.

On non-event days, S. Royal Brougham Way will be closed from just east of the Qwest garage to Fourth Avenue S. Garage access will be provided from the west via First Avenue S. and Occidental Avenue S. 

The construction on S. Royal Brougham Way is part of the $84.35 million SR 519 Intermodal Access Project. For more information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr519.

Fans and event goers can take these steps to arrive on time:

• Allow extra time. Try leaving early and enjoying lunch or dinner in the area before the game or event.
• Consider using the James Street and Forest Street I-5 exits to get to the stadiums.
• Carpool or use transit. Try parking downtown and taking the bus to the stadiums.
• Know before you go:
• For freeways check the WSDOT traffic site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle
• For city streets – check the city of Seattle’s new Traveler Information Web site – seattle.gov/travelers
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