Bellevue residents headed to the opening of the Snoqualmie Casino near North Bend on Thursday and later this week could encounter traffic gridlock in areas around the casino, including residential neighborhoods, the city of North Bend, and even onto I-90.

The casino opens at 10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6. The casino has estimated as many as 30,000 people could show up during the first 24 hours of the opening.

Extra large crowds might also materialize throughout the weekend, including Friday evening when country singer and actress Jessica Simpson will perform at the casino, King County Sheriff’s Office officials say.

Patrons of the casino should expect traffic disruption and the possibility that large crowds will prevent casino access. Residents and workers in the general North Bend area should expect possible delays beginning Thursday evening, into Friday, and throughout the weekend, Sheriff’s Office officials added.

The casino’s on-site parking can handle about 2,500 cars. There is no off-site parking. Once the garage is full, no more vehicles will be allowed into the casino roundabout.

No parking will be allowed on adjacent streets or in residential neighborhoods because of concerns for pedestrian safety, as well as the ingress and egress of emergency vehicles.

The Washington State Patrol will be ready to close Exit 27 (eastbound off of I-90) near North Bend if cars back up to the exit from SE North Bend Way.

Washington State DOT will have reader-boards along I-90, both eastbound and westbound, to advise drivers of impending traffic issues.

From early Thursday evening until Sunday night, the Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Washington DOT, King County DOT, Snoqualmie Police Dept., and the Snoqualmie Tribe and Snoqualmie Casino will be working together to smooth traffic flows.