Don't Drive to Seafair

US Navy



Anybody who's ever been to Seafair, or who happens to live in the vicinity, knows how much the traffic sucks getting in or out of Southeast Seattle on Seafair weekend. Well, thanks to an ongoing repaving project along Rainier Avenue South, this year it could be even worse.

I called SDOT to find out the status of the project, which currently has one lane closed in each direction between S. Walden and S. Alaska, and was assured that all lanes would be reopened by Thursday. Well... I wasn't exactly assured. The person I spoke to didn't want me to use his name, and insisted his comments were only on background. In other words, the lanes are scheduled to be open by Thursday, but might not.

Under normal conditions, that stretch of Rainier is a nightmare during Seafair, the main N/S thoroughfare to the area near the Stan Sayres Pits. Close a lane or two, and you might as well just walk.

So my suggestion: take the goddamn train! The Columbia City Station is less than a mile and a half walk from the pits, and the Mt. Baker Station is less than a mile from the beach at Mt. Baker Park. You've been warned. Choose light rail, and you'll be thanking me on Monday; choose to drive, and you'll be cursing yourself.

UPDATE:

SDOT Communications Manager Rick Sheridan emails me a more reassuring clarification: