Seattle May Day 2018: What to know about traffic

SEATTLE — If you’re going to be in downtown Seattle Tuesday afternoon or evening, you should plan ahead and expect could could be long traffic delays as large crowds move through the area for May Day.

Traffic Anchor Rachel Calderon will have real-time updates as the marches move through Seattle so you can avoid closed and clogged streets.  KIRO 7 will also have live team coverage of May Day on air at 5, 6, 7, and 11 p.m. so you know what's happening.  Watch on air or here: kiro.tv/LiveNews

A number of planned and unplanned marches and rallies are expected to significantly impact transit and traffic around the city throughout the day. See a list of May Day events here.

>>Scroll down to the bottom of the page to get real-time traffic updates via Twitter.

The largest demonstration, which is permitted, is the March for Workers and Immigrants' Rights, in which thousands have participated in the past.  There is a 2:30 p.m. rally at Judkins Park at 20th Avenue South and South Dearborn Street.

The march will then begin at 3:30 p.m. and travel north on 20th Avenue to S Jackson Street; west on S Jackson Street to 4th Avenue; north on 4th Avenue to Madison Street; west on Madison Street to 2nd Avenue; north on 2nd Avenue ending at Spring Street.

Seattle police say travelers should keep in mind that the march route could change. Police said they will use rolling closures around the routes as they move through the city.

See a map of the march below, then scroll down to read about transit impacts.

Major transit delays, reroutes expected

Transit riders should also be prepared to face major delays and rerouted buses in downtown Seattle, especially during the afternoon and evening commutes.

Transit officials say dozens of King County Metro and Sound Transit bus routes will be temporarily rerouted or delayed on and off due to May Day events.

The First Hill streetcar will have limited service during the May Day Annual March for Workers and Immigrant Rights.

South Lake Union streetcar service also might be affected by planned and unplanned demonstrations.

Also, a 7:10 p.m. Mariners game will draw about 15,000 fans to Safeco Field.

Bus reroutes are planned around the annual march starting about 2:30 p.m. The group will leave Judkins Park and travel to the intersection of Second Avenue and Spring Street, at about 3:30 p.m.

The route of the march is permitted but could change. Metro and Sound Transit are planning to reroute bus routes that normally travel on South Jackson Street, Fourth and Second avenues, as well as other transit service traveling along downtown Seattle streets.

Planned reroutes will be posted online and sent to customers via Transit Alerts.

Unexpected demonstrations could cause slowdowns

Bus rolling slowdowns or temporary short-term reroutes will be implemented as needed for all other expected and unexpected demonstrations, marches and rallies.

First Hill Streetcar service is expected to be disrupted during the day, and will not operate on South Jackson Street from about 3 to 5 p.m. As a result, the streetcar will not serve Pioneer Square or the International District during that time, and will operate between Capitol Hill and the intersection of 14th Avenue South and South Washington Street.

South Lake Union Streetcar service might also be disrupted if there are unplanned protests in the afternoon and evening.

Link light rail service will operate regular three-car trains during the day. Sound Transit said additional trains will be available if needed.

Cox Media Group