June 4, 2009
Expect congestion during Commencement June 13
Transportation Services advises motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to avoid Husky Stadium on Saturday, June 13, due to the graduation ceremony beginning at 1:30 p.m.
With as many as 40,000 people expected to attend this year’s graduation, the area around Husky Stadium will be congested the entire afternoon with both pedestrians and vehicles arriving and departing from the stadium between noon and 6 p.m.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., Seattle Police will begin to set up traffic controls which will close Montlake Boulevard between NE Pacific Street and NE 45th Street to through traffic to help move cars parked in the stadium lots away from the area after the ceremony. Traffic approaching the closure will be detoured around the area. This restriction, which is similar to traffic routing for Husky football games, will be in effect until approximately 5:30 p.m.
Because of the high number of pedestrians in the area, drivers are asked to be patient, drive slowly through the area, and, if not attending the event, consider taking alternate routes to their destinations. For those people traveling southbound needing access to the UW Hospital, take 15th Avenue Northeast to Northeast Pacific Street. Montlake Boulevard will be closed from Northeast Pacific Street and Northeast 45th Street. Those traveling northbound may still travel across the Montlake bridge and turn left on Northeast Pacific Street, but should expect delays. Consider the University Bridge or the Ship Canal (I-5) bridge instead.
More transportation information for people attending the ceremony can be found on at www.uwgraduation.com. Click on parking.
