Time to think 4th of July: Heads up on Alki traffic restrictions

| Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

While visiting the Southwest Precinct earlier this week, we asked about plans for 4th of July traffic control, in hopes we could give you an early heads-up. Lt. Norm James, second-watch commander at the precinct, quickly provided that info; we will remind you about it several more times, along with other advance coverage of West Seattle 4th of July plans (we’ll have a special page up before the week’s out), but here’s first word from Lt. James:

Over the past several years, the volume of spectators using the Alki community to watch the fireworks over Elliott Bay has grown past the ability to safely handle. The increased vehicle traffic along Alki and Harbor Ave has become a hazard for responding emergency resources. While most spectators are well-behaved, the increase in large crowd disturbances has also been noted.

To alleviate most of these issues, vehicle traffic to the Alki community will be limited on the day of the event. This will commence at 6 pm and remain in effect until the fireworks commence. Vehicle access to the Alki community will be limited to residents living within the restricted area and their guests. The basic area affected will be north of Harbor Ave at Spokane Street, north of Hamilton Viewpoint on California Ave, north of Admiral from Lander to 63rd and all of the little side streets which have access to Alki Ave. Spectators are still welcome to park their vehicles outside of the restricted area and walk to the viewing sites.

The forthcoming 4th of July page will include a map for that, as well as other holiday-related info (if you’re planning an event, big and small, that you want others to know about, e-mail us!).

JanS June 15, 2008 (12:01 am)

wow..interesting…this is sure to pi** off quite a few people who don’t live in this area. I hope that this will be broadcast all over the city, as the traffic out of West Seattle is horrendous when the fireworks are over.

beachdrivegirl June 15, 2008 (4:16 pm)

It is really interesting. I was actually trying to figure out how they are going to determine who is and who is not someone’s guest? I like the idea though and i think it will potentially make it a safer large gathering.

kmac June 15, 2008 (6:17 pm)

Commence at 6pm? Seriously, folks start arriving well before Noon. The entire day will be a traffic nightmare…but that is life at the beach.

picot June 18, 2008 (1:06 pm)

What about the other high traffic/nightmare neighborhood off the Admiral lookout! We have asked for help for over a decade now to no avail. In the past we have had to pay ourselves for off-duty officers to protect our homes and physical bodies from angry citizens who cannot get out of the neighborhood due to all the dead end streets.We have suffered threats and actual property damage for the past 5 years. Now we cannot even hire an officer due to the fact that none are avil. If an emergency vehicle has to get in here it will be impossible. The city will be responsible if anything happens since they are more then aware off the situation. HELP US TOO!!

M July 3, 2008 (5:22 pm)

So is the City planning shuttles to people to watch the fireworks? Or is this becoming a W. Seattle viewing only to those that can afford to live there – how elitist!

JH July 4, 2008 (6:58 pm)

I just drove down Admiral to Garlough, and there were no restrictions at Lander. Harbor Ave. looked clear too. Are they late, did they change their minds, or what???

WSB July 4, 2008 (6:59 pm)

I’m posting an update shortly. They rolled in the barricades at 60th, 61st, 62nd, 63rd, etc. around 6:30. Harbor/Spokane still wasn’t closed off when I went through a little earlier (post 6 pm though) but diversions were being readied up California Way.

JH July 4, 2008 (8:10 pm)

Okay, wrong Lander. I thought it was the one by the nursing home. It’s the big hill Lander. Just saw the barricade, and it looked like regular citizens were manning it. You can still go down Admiral past Lander (though I turned around-trying to hurry and eat, then ride bikes to Hamilton viewpoint!). Any updates on Hamilton???

LMC July 4, 2008 (9:20 pm)

No, it’s not regular citizens, it’s SPD in unmarked cars. At least at Lander, that’s what we see. And I have to tell you, it’s really pretty nice to not have it be car after car after car up and down the street all evening.

Janet Seaberg July 27, 2008 (2:08 pm)

I’m really late posting this, but it was WONDERFUL to have the barricades up. I’m totally amazed that it worked without a lot of pre-notification. I live at 63rd & Alki and apart from the idiots who live in my complex it was a great 4th. It was quiet without all the loud stereos & cars, and the policers were wonderful. I hope you can & will do it again. Thanks.

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