(WSB photo from April 2011)
As discussed here last Saturday, the city was out striping the West Seattle Bridge without advance warning – but today, they are issuing a blanket traffic alert pointing out that you might find yourself in the vicinity of a painting crew sometime, somewhere, between tomorrow and late September:

Now that the rainy season is winding down, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is revving up to begin its annual five-months of road striping work covering 1148 lane miles. The majority of work begins tomorrow, April 25, and could continue through September 26, depending on weather and accomplishments.

The work will primarily involve slow moving paint trucks, averaging about three to six miles an hour. Drivers may encounter slight delays as a result. There will be no lane closures required, unless extensive lay-out (measuring) is needed to delineate lane markings that have been totally eradicated by traffic and snow removal. In which case, warning signs will be posted.

The road striping, which requires dry weather, could start as early as 5 a.m., but will likely take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. mainly on secondary arterials Tuesdays through Fridays. Arterials, the Downtown Core area (First through Sixth avenues), and known high-volume traffic areas will be striped early Saturday mornings to minimize the impact on motorists.

Funding for the work is provided by the Bridging the Gap voter-approved transportation initiative and the General Fund. Drivers are asked to drive cautiously through the work zones allowing the crews plenty of room to do their work safely.

Besides the bridge, we saw freshly painted markings on Delridge Way SW yesterday, too. If you happen to spot a painting crew and can safely call or text (you’re in the passenger seat, on a bus, noticing from your window at home, etc.), please consider letting us know so we can share the traffic alert, however shortlived – 206-293-6302 voice or text, any time.