Obama in Seattle on Friday

Drivers and transit users can expect extra traffic congestion and delays Friday afternoon and evening as President Obama visits downtown Seattle for a pair of political fundraisers. But Murray is leaving nothing to chance, particularly after her narrow victory with just 52 percent of the vote in 2010, her closest Senate contest yet. Patty Murray’s 2016 reelection campaign, and an event benefiting the Democratic National Committee. Buses on surface streets in the north part of downtown will be rerouted; check with King County Metro Alert for routes impacted.

For security reasons, we can’t tell you exactly when President Obama will arrive in Seattle on Friday.

Earlier Friday, Obama was somber and soft-spoken after meeting in Oregon with the families of victims of a mass shooting at a community college.

The main area affected downtown will be the blocks surrounding the Westin Hotel. The President was already scheduled to travel to the West Coast, mostly for weekend fundraising events in Seattle and across California, when the 26-year-old gunman opened fire.

The South Lake Union Streetcar will remain operational, but the stop at Westlake Hub at McGraw Square will be closed. Vehicle access to the area will be limited to Fifth Avenue between Lenora and Virginia streets and on Stewart Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues.