Watch out, Seattle: Special events could make traffic kind of nasty the rest of the week

SEATTLE – Not since the Great Alaskan Way Viaduct closure of two weeks ago has the Seattle area faced such traffic adversity.

The Seattle Department of Transportation issued an advisory Wednesday, warning that a confluence of special events could make for some gnarly traffic through the weekend.

The first event is also the largest, with Wednesday night’s Beyonce concert at CenturyLink Field expected to draw 50,000 people.

Thursday, a major motion picture – the city won’t say what it is – will be filming on the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Filming will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

There won’t be any stoppages, but there will be “rolling slowdowns” as filming moves along the viaduct. The production will also film some scenes in Pioneer Square.

Friday night will see another concert, with 35,000 expected to attend an 8 p.m. Billy Joel concert at Safeco Field.

Saturday, a crowd of 40,000 is expected to watch the Sounders play host to the Colorado Rapids at 7 p.m. at CenturyLink Field. There’s also a 2:30 p.m. protest march that begins at Westlake Park; the South Lake Union Saturday Market; and the University District Street Fair.

Sunday, watch out for walkers and runners. There’s a 5K along Alki Beach beginning at 9:20 a.m.; a walk to benefit Cystic Fibrosis that begins at the Seattle Center at 1 p.m.; and a race around Lake Union that begins at Gasworks Park at 8 a.m.