Showing posts with label airshow. Show all posts

I-90 bridge to close for Seafair jets

Posted by Unknown in , , , , , , , , on Thursday, July 24, 2014

by Bart Treece

After a one-year break, some old friends have booked a return flight. The skies above Seattle will again be the playground for the F/A 18 Blue Angels of Seafair. This of course means the Interstate 90 floating bridge between the Emerald City and Mercer Island will be closed periodically for safety precautions. In other words: no drivers, cyclists or walkers.

Courtesy: US Navy
Courtesy: Patriots Jet Team

The Federal Aviation Administration requires a safety zone below the area where both the Blue Angels and the Patriots Jet Team practice and show-off for captivated crowds. This zone, we call “the box,” covers part of Lake Washington and the floating bridges - hence the closure.

Airshow Safety Zones
Traffic
With the Blue Angels back in the Seafair lineup, both directions of I-90, (including the mainline and the express lanes) will be closed between I-5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island.

Here’s the closure schedule:

  • Thursday, July 31: 9:45 a.m. - noon; 1:15 - 2:40 p.m. (practice) 
    • Express lanes closed from 9:45 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. 
  • Friday, Aug. 1: 12:15 p.m. - 2:40 p.m., (practice) 
    • Express lanes closed from 12:15 to 2:40 p.m. 
  • Saturday, Aug. 2: 12:15 p.m. - 2:40 p.m., (full show) 
    • Express lanes closed from 12:15 to 2:40 p.m. 
  • Sunday, Aug. 3: 12:15 p.m. - 2:40 p.m., (full show) 
    • Express lanes closed from 12:15 to 2:40 p.m.

Additionally, several ramps to I-90 will be closed during these times.

SR 520 floating bridge
The State Route 520 floating bridge will remain open for traffic and tolls will be collected according to the rate schedule. There will be no boat openings while the I-90 bridge is closed. You can expect heavier traffic on SR 520 and other routes between Seattle and the Eastside. To help keep traffic moving throughout Seafair weekend, the east navigation channelwill be open to boats up to 58 feet tall which should reduce the number of marine openings.


Regardless of where you travels take you Seafair weekend, be sure to plan your trips beforehand and know before you go.

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High-flying jets of Seafair, mean closures on the ground

Posted by Unknown in , , , , , , , , on Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Even though the Blue Angels are not flying over Seattle this year, there will still be closures of the Interstate 90 floating bridge while the Patriots Jet Team takes to the skies.

Similar to when the Blue Angels practiced and performed for Seafair, the I-90 floating bridge will still close to drivers, cyclists and walkers. The Federal Aviation Administration requires a Safety Zone for the area below the performance. We call it “The Box,” but really it’s more like a few rectangles crossing over each other. The northern part of the box covers the I-90 floating bridges, which is why they are closed during performances by both the Blue Angels and the Patriots Jet Team.

Courtesy: Patriots Jet Team

Traffic
Some minor changes from years past, the closures on I-90 will take less time, and there is no Thursday practice, therefore, no Thursday closure.

Here’s the schedule:
• Friday, Aug. 2:  1:15 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. (Practice)
• Saturday, Aug. 3:  1:15 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. (Full show)
• Sunday, Aug. 4:  1:15 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. (Full show)

Additionally, several ramps will be closed at that time. The I-90 express lanes will also be closed from 12:30 to 3 p.m. each day, but are available in the event of a medical emergency that requires a trip to the hospital. Just call 911.

SR 520
The State Route 520 bridge will remain open for traffic and tolls will be collected according to the rate schedule. Good news for drivers, the bridge will not open for any boats during Patriots Jet Team flights. The bridge will be busy. If you need to take a cross-lake trip while the Patriots are in the air, just plan ahead. Outside of those times during Seafair weekend, the east navigation channel will be open to boats up to 59 feet, which should reduce the number of marine openings.
Whether you’re heading out to enjoy Seafair festivities, or just plain going somewhere else, remember to plan ahead and know before you go.

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