June 1, 2006
Look out for commencement traffic
The UW Transportation Office advises motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to avoid the Husky Stadium on Saturday, June 10, for the UW graduation ceremony beginning at 1:30 p.m.
With more than 40,000 people attending this year’s graduation ceremony, 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 southbound needing to access the UW Hospital, take 15th Ave. NE to NE Pacific Street. Montlake Boulevard will be closed from NE Pacific Street and NE 45th Street. Those northbound may still travel across the Montlake bridge and turn left on NE Pacific ST, 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: http://www.uwgraduation.com click under general information and select “parking.”
