Traffic congestion expected during memorial procession

Severe congestion is expected Friday during a memorial procession for Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton that begins at 9 a.m. at the University of Washington and ends at noon at KeyArena, where a public service is scheduled for 1 p.m.

As many as 1,500 vehicles may be in the procession. Streets along the route will close as the procession approaches and reopen after it has passed. Traffic, including bikes and pedestrians, will not be able to cross the procession route while the procession passes.

The procession is expected to last three hours.

The east- and westbound Highway 520 on- and offramps to Montlake Boulevard Northeast will close at 8:50 a.m. to allow the procession to travel south on the boulevard. The ramps will reopen after the procession has passed.

Also, traffic exiting southbound Interstate 5 at Stewart Street will not be permitted to proceed onto Stewart, but must turn onto Eastlake Avenue East or John Street.

Thomas and John streets from First Avenue North to Second Avenue North, and Warren Avenue North and Second Avenue North between Denny Way and Thomas Street will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Officers will manage the intersections.

Many Metro bus routes that operate near the procession route may be affected.

Those routes include those at:

• University of Washington/Husky Stadium.

• Montlake Boulevard Northeast, 23rd Avenue East and 24th Avenue East.

• Capitol Hill, East Madison Street, East Pine Street and Broadway.

• North of downtown Seattle, Denny Way and Mercer Street.

• Queen Anne Avenue North, First Avenue North and Seattle Center.

Metro said it won't be able to tell riders when a specific bus will arrive or depart from specific locations along the route.

From the university's E-1 parking lot north of Husky Stadium, the procession will go:

• south on Montlake Boulevard Northeast and 24th and 23rd avenues East;

• west on East Madison and East Pine streets;

• north on Broadway;

• west on Denny Way;

• north on First Avenue North to KeyArena.

No parking will be allowed along the route; signs will be posted. Streets around Seattle Center will be closed. Doors at KeyArena will open to the public at 11 a.m.

No formal procession is planned after the ceremony.