Featured image: Traffic on Third Avenue in downtown Seattle (photo credit: King County Metro)

On August 20, 13 blocks of Third Avenue in downtown Seattle, from Stewart Street to just south of Yesler Way, began daily closures to car traffic from morning to night. This change is permanent.

From 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily, only pedestrians, Metro buses, and bicyclists can use this stretch of Third Avenue. Delivery and commercial drivers are allowed with exceptions:

• Permitted delivery and commercial drivers can use Third Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.
• No left turns are allowed off Third Avenue 24 hours daily.
• Drivers can cross Third Avenue 24 hours daily.

For all other drivers, including taxis and rideshares:

• Third Avenue is open for use from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.
• No left turns are allowed off Third Avenue 24 hours daily.
• Crossing Third Avenue is allowed 24 hours daily.
• On-street parking at Prefontaine Place is closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Prefontaine Place, originally named the Yesler Triangle, is a small park at 425 Third Avenue.

For traffic alerts and updates on bus routes in the Seattle metro area and King County, visit the King County Metro website.

Map of daily closures along Third Avenue in downtown Seattle (source: King County Metro)