Summary

Seafair fun takes off this week and Metro Transit has free shuttles to get fans to Lake Washington to see the hydro races and air shows. Travelers should plan for delays and bus reroutes during these major regional events, which include temporary closures of the Interstate 90 floating bridge for Blue Angels air show practices and performances Thursday, July 30, through Sunday, Aug. 2.

Story

Seafair fun takes off this week and Metro Transit has free shuttles to get fans to Lake Washington to see the hydro races and air shows. Travelers should plan for delays and bus reroutes during these major regional events, which include temporary closures of the Interstate 90 floating bridge for Blue Angels air show practices and performances Thursday, July 30, through Sunday, Aug. 2.

Hydro shuttles

Free shuttles to the Albert Lee Cup hydro races operate daily Friday through Sunday, July 31-Aug. 2. Shuttles run from the Columbia City Link light rail station (Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and South Edmunds Street) – to Stan Sayres Pit near Genesee Park on Lake Washington – where air shows above the lake also are planned. (More schedule details below.)

I-90 bridge closure shuttles

During the I-90 air show closures, Metro also will provide shuttle service between the park-and-ride lots at South Bellevue and Mercer Island on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 30-Aug. 1. Regular fares are required on the I-90 shuttles. Sound Transit Routes 550 and 554 that normally travel via I-90 will be rerouted to State Route 520 during the air show practice and performances and will not serve stops on I-90 at Rainier Avenue South and Mercer Island. Also, Route 50 will be rerouted Saturday and Sunday.

Details about reroutes and shuttle service are on Metro Online Alerts Center. Riders also can use the online Trip Planner or call Metro’s Customer Information Office at 206-553-3000 for assistance.

Shuttle and reroute details

Thursday, July 30

• 9:45 a.m. to noon and from 1:15-2:40 p.m. The I-90 floating bridge closes eastbound and westbound, mainline and express lanes – between Interstate 5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island for Blue Angels practice flights. Certain I-90 and I-5 ramps will also close 30 minutes to one hour before flight times. During the closure, all I-90 bus service will be rerouted to SR 520. From Mercer Island, bus riders can board a Metro shuttle to the South Bellevue Park-and-Ride to transfer to ST Express routes 550 or 554. A fare is required on the I-90 shuttles.

Friday, July 31

• 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Free hydro shuttles operate between Columbia City Link Station and Genesee Park. Board the shuttle eastbound on South Angeline Street just west of 32nd Avenue South. Shuttles will operate frequently as the buses fill.
• 11:50 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. The I-90 floating bridge closes eastbound and westbound, mainline and express lanes – between Interstate 5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island for Blue Angels practice flights. Certain I-90 and I-5 ramps will also close 30 minutes to one hour before flight times. During the closure, all I-90 bus service will be rerouted to SR 520. From Mercer Island, bus riders can board a Metro shuttle to the South Bellevue Park-and-Ride to transfer to ST Express routes 550 or 554. A fare is required on the I-90 shuttles.

Saturday, Aug. 1

• 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Free hydro shuttles operate between Columbia City Link Station and Genesee Park. Board the shuttle eastbound on South Angeline Street just west of 32nd Avenue South. Shuttles will operate frequently as the buses fill.
• 11:50 a.m. – 2:40 p.m. During the Blue Angels performance, the I-90 bridge is closed eastbound and westbound, mainline and express lanes – between I-5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island. All I-90 bus service will be rerouted to SR 520 during the closure, and the Mercer Island/South Bellevue Park-and-Ride shuttle will be in service.

Sunday, Aug. 2

• 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Free hydro shuttles operate between Columbia City Link Station and Genesee Park. Board the shuttle eastbound on South Angeline Street just west of 32nd Avenue South. Shuttles will operate frequently as the buses fill.
• 11:50 a.m.– 2:40 p.m. During the Blue Angels performance, the I-90 bridge closes eastbound and westbound, mainline and express lanes – between I-5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island. All I-90 bus service will be rerouted to SR 520 during the closure.
• There is no Mercer Island shuttle on Sunday.

WSDOT has I-90 bridge closure information and the Seafair website has event information.