We don’t think China’s President Xi Jinping will make a stop by the Chinese Scholar Tree on the north edge of Cal Anderson Park but it has been — also — carefully protected should he decide to make a quick swing through Capitol Hill to visit the future light rail station.
Xi will, however, be all over downtown this week creating three days of even crazier traffic than usual and “limiting” vehicle traffic in the area “bounded by Olive St., 7th Ave, Lenora St and 4th Ave” to provide the leader a secure corridor of operations around his hotel. Details on the traffic impacts from the City of Seattle, below.
Seattle plans for traffic during visit of Chinese delegation
SEATTLE (Sept. 18, 2015) – The City of Seattle is working with local and federal agencies to manage traffic on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week during the visit of a large Chinese delegation. Seattle officials are working to support U.S. Secret Service efforts to provide security.
“Seattle is honored to host President Xi and his delegation during his visit to the United States,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “With an international visit of this stature and the accompanying federal security requirements, we want all travelers to be advised of the impacts to business as usual. Everyone needs to be patient, reevaluate their commute plans, add in extra travel time, and monitor traffic alerts for the latest information.”
Intermittent closures of freeways, regional arterials and downtown streets are expected. The flow of buses and cars in downtown Seattle and around the region will be disrupted.
Travelers in Seattle are advised to plan ahead and expect traffic delays on all three days. Those who can postpone trips downtown or work from home are encouraged to do so. Continue reading
