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Obama in town for fundraisers; traffic delays expected

By Henry Rosoff
By Henry Rosoff

BELLEVUE, Wash. — President Barack Obama has landed at Boeing Field and will start his fundraising visit at a home in Madrona at about 4 p.m.

He'll then travel to former Costco CEO Jim Sinegal’s Hunts Point home for a $25,000 a plate fundraiser.

The visit wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary -- except it's occuring during rush hour in a week when all but one lane of westbound Interstate 90 is closed between Bellevue and Mercer Island for construction.

“I think it’s poor timing, I think it’s going to put a damper on a lot of things,” said Greg Dearborn, a frustrated Bellevue driver.

See photos from the President's visit here.

The last time Obama made a fundraising run to Hunts Point two years ago, his motorcade shut down I-5 and the 520 Bridge.  This will likely be the route he takes again because it is 5 miles shorter than taking I-90.

But this time shutting down the 520 Bridge will mean cutting off the main route around the I-90 construction, which is a frustration for drivers.

“What a mess,” said Greg Levin.  “I just wish they could find a better way to schedule it.”
The president's motorcade would likely be heading east on 520 around 5 p.m.  Then at around 7 p.m., he'd be headed back west on 520, but that's when drivers will want to use 520 to avoid I-90's mess.  At the same time, Mariners fans will be trying to get to Safeco Field for the 7:05 p.m. game.
Air Force One should be wheels up around 7:30 p.m.

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