Federal Way police to mitigate traffic near Wild Waves as heat wave attracts crowds

With anticipated temperatures reaching in excess of 90 degrees in the coming days, there will be a significant increase in customers visiting Wild Waves theme park,

June 25, 2015 7:52 pm
The Federal Way Police Department is teaming with Wild Waves and local transportation agencies to mitigate traffic near the theme park this weekend as many people are expected to visit the park during the high temperatures.
The Federal Way Police Department is teaming with Wild Waves and local transportation agencies to mitigate traffic near the theme park this weekend as many people are expected to visit the park during the high temperatures.

With anticipated temperatures reaching in excess of 90 degrees in the coming days, there will be a significant increase in customers visiting Wild Waves theme park, resulting in traffic congestion and potential gridlock on some of Federal Way’s main arterial streets and intersections, as well as Interstate 5 and Highway 18.

A detailed traffic operation plan is in place, through cooperation with Federal Way police, Wild Waves Theme Park, Washington State Patrol, Federal Way Streets, Public Works, and the state Department of Transportation. Additional officers have been specifically tasked with traffic control in critical areas leading into and out of the theme park, in addition to officers inside the park throughout the weekend.

A number of intersections will be monitored or modified beginning 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. on Friday, and again on Saturday and Sunday. The city urges drivers to avoid these high volume areas, and South 348th Street, during the peak hours. If you must be in the area, please review affected intersections and the city’s traffic plan accordingly.

• Milton Road/Enchanted Parkway (Priority 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday-Sunday:)

Southbound lanes of Enchanted Parkway will be separated by cones from the south end of the I-5 overpass to Milton Road and the right southbound lane of Enchanted Parkway will be coned as a right-turn only onto southbound Milton Road, providing continuous right turn traffic for Wild Waves.

• Milton Road/South 369th Street (Priority 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday-Sunday)

Northbound traffic will be directed onto eastbound South 369 Street. Detour signs will direct traffic onto 19 Avenue South and then to Enchanted Parkway. Exceptions will be for emergency and large truck traffic. Officers will be at Wild Waves entrance and intersection to monitor.

• Southbound I-5 ramp/Enchanted Parkway (Priority 1, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday-Sunday)

Reader boards will be positioned on ramp and two locations on Enchanted Parkway advising “Wild Waves right lane only.” An officer will monitor traffic.

• South 356th Street/Enchanted Parkway (Priority 2, 8 a.m. to 1p p.m. Friday-Sunday)

An officer will monitor traffic and pedestrian flow, if needed.

• 19th Avenue South/Enchanted Parkway (Priority 2, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday-Sunday)

An officer will monitor traffic, if needed.

Those planning a trip to Wild Waves Theme Park are encouraged to visit their website and twitter feed, where updates will be posted periodically throughout the weekend.

Federal Way Police Department will post regular updates to their Police Twitter @FEDWAYPD and Facebook page facebook.com/#!/FedWayPD