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Update: Seattle celebrates the opening of NFL football seasonPlan ahead for traffic delays

It’s just one day away—the National Football League season opener and celebration in Seattle will take place on Thursday, Sept. 4 at CenturyLink Field. Thousands of fans will converge in the Pioneer Square and stadium areas for the event. Allow extra time: Whether you are headed to the event, or just wanting to travel through […]

It’s just one day away—the National Football League season opener and celebration in Seattle will take place on Thursday, Sept. 4 at CenturyLink Field. Thousands of fans will converge in the Pioneer Square and stadium areas for the event.

Allow extra time:

Whether you are headed to the event, or just wanting to travel through the area in the afternoon, allow extra time as there may be significant traffic delays. Public agencies and public transportation providers are coordinating plans to manage traffic. SDOT, the Seattle Police Department, and WSDOT will monitor traffic during the event and make adjustments to keep traffic moving as much as possible. Dynamic message signs will advise drivers and traffic signals will be set to accommodate incoming traffic before the game. Police Officers on the streets near the stadium will assist traffic. You will find real time traffic information on www.seattle.gov/transportation/travelers

The event:

The NFL Gameday Village in Pioneer Square will be open on Sept. 3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Occidental Avenue South will be closed to motor vehicles.

Going to the game? Allow a minimum of 60 minutes of extra time to get to the game. Gates to the stadium will open at 2:30 p.m. and if you have tickets for the game, you are advised to watch the concert from screens within the stadium to avoid missing the Seahawks championship moment. Enter the stadium from the south, and be in your seat by 5 p.m. to watch the game. You are encouraged to come by public transit or car pool. If you will be driving, plan for congestion and parking delays.

Going to the concert? There will be a free concert featuring Soundgarden and Pharrell Williams in the lot north of CenturyLink Field. Concert gates open at 2:30 p.m. Admission up to the capacity of the lot will be available on a first come, first served basis. Enter the area from the north, at Second Avenue South and South Jackson Street.

For additional tips offered by the Seahawks for fans coming to the concert or the game, please see http://www.Seahawks.com/Kickoff .

Street closures:

Streets near the stadium will close at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3 for setting up. On Thursday, Sept. 4, Police Officers will close streets near the stadium as needed to manage traffic, possibly starting as early as 9 a.m. Streets as far north as James Street could be closed. Metro buses will be allowed through. First Avenue South, Second Avenue Extension South and Fourth Avenue South will remain open.

Everyone traveling through downtown Seattle:

If you are coming into downtown Seattle or the stadium area on Thursday, Sept. 4, you are encouraged to travel by bus, light rail, commuter rail, carpool or bicycle. If you work in downtown Seattle and not planning to participate in the festivities, you are advised to leave for home before 3 p.m. or wait until after 5:30 p.m., if possible.

Sounder:

The Sounder will operate on a normal schedule. Use the Jackson Street entrance to get to the platform. The Weller Street overpass will be open for those needing the elevator.

Sound Transit Express:

Expect delays for all buses downtown. Concert goers will not be able to use the Weller Street overpass; please use Second Avenue.

Light Link Rail:

Expect heavy crowding during the afternoon commute. Buy an Orca card beforehand to avoid the ticket line. If you are going to the concert, use the Pioneer Square station. If you are going to the game, use the Stadium Station.

Metro Transit:

Major traffic delays are expected on Thursday during the afternoon and evening commute that are likely to affect Metro service. Buses may be more crowded as fans head downtown, and transit customers using buses that pass through downtown Seattle should be prepared for possibly significant delays. Buses that normally operate on South Jackson Street in Pioneer Square area will be rerouted. View alerts online http://metro.kingcounty.gov/alerts/ and sign up for Transit Alerts in order to receive information from Metro http://metro.kingcounty.gov/signup/and watch for additional information online and at bus stops.

If you plan to use public transit, check the websites of your transportation provider to find out about any delays or reroutes. Links to transportation providers:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/metro

http://communitytransit.org

http://piercetransit.org

http://www.soundtransit.org

http://www.soundtransit.org/Rider-Community/Rider-news/Rider-information-for-Sept-4-NFL-Kickoff