Traffic delays expected across Pierce County this weekend as summer events in full swing
Traffic delays are expected around Pierce County this weekend due to several scheduled events.
Those events include the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Airshow & Warrior Expo, Lakewood’s SummerFEST and the 2023 Kaiser Permanente Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic.
JBLM Airshow & Warrior Expo
The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Airshow & Warrior Expo is scheduled to return this weekend for a two-day event at McChord Field.
The event, which will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, is expected to draw people from around the region and result in an increase in traffic on Interstate 5 and State Route 512, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
WSDOT is asking that people travel during non-peak times, delay non-essential travel and use alternative modes of transportation, such as public transit, this weekend, according to its press release.
Intercity Transit will be providing service from Olympia on Route 620 to the JBLM Airshow. People traveling on the Intercity Transit can transfer to the Pierce Transit Express at the SR 512 Park & Ride. A full list of departure times is available on the Intercity Transit website.
Pierce Transit Express will also run from the Lakewood Station 11424 Pacific Hwy SW to the airshow. Express bus service to JBLM is free and will run every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last returning trip to parking locations will leave JBLM at approximately 6 p.m.
SummerFEST
More traffic delays are expected on I-5 in Lakewood during the annual SummerFEST event that is also scheduled for this Saturday, July 15 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Steilacoom Park, West Pierce Fire & Rescue said in a tweet.
People are encouraged to carpool and visit during less busy times throughout the event, according to the City of Lakewood’s website.
2023 Kaiser Permanente Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic
An estimated 5,000 bicyclists are expected to ride on Western Washington state highways to Portland for this year’s Kaiser Permanente Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic. The two-day event is set to begin on Saturday, July 15, in Pierce County, and traffic delays and congestion are expected for the early morning on State Route 7.
Drivers should plan for extra travel time, according to the WSDOT website.
This story was originally published July 12, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
