Saturday traffic updates: Highway 99 reopens after truck trouble; West Seattle Bridge crash

9:04 AM: Avoid Highway 99 TFN – WSDOT says it is blocked both ways at the Battery Street Tunnel by a jackknifed semi-truck. More info as we get it.

9:21 AM: Good news – tipster Jonathan says the 99 problem has been cleared – and the camera view appears to verify that. (As does WSDOT via Twitter.)

11:50 AM: Now there’s a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, before the Delridge on-ramp. Here’s the city camera for the Fauntleroy approach so you can check if the backup’s cleared:

1:39 PM: Commenters report trouble on 99 again. And there are some problems on I-5 too. If you really HAVE TO head out – here’s the custom list of traffic-related Twitter users (including WSDOT, which does tweet on weekends) that we watch. See traffic cameras here.

5:56 PM UPDATE: We’re about to launch a new traffic update for the evening. There’s a crash on the northbound Viaduct – no details, just that it’s on the SFD 911 log as “motor vehicle accident/freeway,” northbound 99 near Seneca. Meantime, the tree blocking 35th by 108th is now cleared.

6:25 PM UPDATE: Evening updates on traffic and weather are here.

21 Replies to "Saturday traffic updates: Highway 99 reopens after truck trouble; West Seattle Bridge crash"

  • arrow September 28, 2013 (9:13 am)

    Maybe people need to slow down. This is the third time this week that the Viaduct has been rendered useless by an accident. Hope everyone is OK this time.

    • WSB September 28, 2013 (9:16 am)

      It’s not on the 911 log so apparently no injury. And an e-mail tipster says it looks like it’s actually being cleared quickly – so we hope to have an update in a bit. No idea about the cause.

  • arrow September 28, 2013 (9:22 am)

    Glad folks are OK and that it is being cleared. Thanks for the additional info, as always.

  • Wb September 28, 2013 (9:25 am)

    I am so done. I had to back down the viaduct to the western exit from the the tunnel in the pouring rain. And late for a 9am appointment. . I hope the driver is Ok. But seriously? This is the third time this week. The viaduct is very important to this city.

  • Jonathan September 28, 2013 (10:22 am)

    I was about 100 yards behind the accident, which involved a single vehicle — a flatbed truck that slid sideways at the last curve (presumably due to excessive speed on a slick road). Fortunately the driver was eventually able to move without tow-truck assistance, so we were only stuck for 40 minutes. Could’ve been much worse, but it was certainly a reminder for everyone to slow down.

  • BJ September 28, 2013 (10:30 am)

    Just think, soon we will be stuck in a Tunnel when the Viaduct is stopped up with traffic. Not looking forward to that happening. Bleh

  • wetone September 28, 2013 (12:13 pm)

    Your exactly right BJ, people will be sitting in traffic daily in that tunnel. Don’t care how big of air handling system it has. Will be very unhealthy from toxic fumes and you will be paying to do it. If there is or should I say when a big earthquake comes good luck. I would much rather be on the old viaduct than in a hole. The city sold the people a bag of goods on this one and we will be paying for it a very long time.

  • bbuddy September 28, 2013 (12:40 pm)

    This is so common… not really news anymore since it happens so regularly. Perhaps the only “traffic news” that is actually something new and fresh is to hear when the viaduct and bridge are actually drivable.

  • Ellenater September 28, 2013 (12:49 pm)

    Omg. Another one! Donor take 99n

  • Patti September 28, 2013 (12:58 pm)

    There is a down power line on 99 by lower Queen Anne. NB is trickling through, but SB is completely blocked.

  • JEM September 28, 2013 (1:11 pm)

    Battery street tunnel appears to be closed again

  • Azimuth September 28, 2013 (1:18 pm)

    1:15 apparently the battery street tunnel is closed AGAIN.

    • WSB September 28, 2013 (1:37 pm)

      Thanks for the tunnel updates. Checking. As the rain starts again following a brief break …

  • DRG September 28, 2013 (5:37 pm)

    Sitting at a total stop on the Viaduct. Think there’s an accident up ahead (saw emergency vehicles) but don’t know what’s going on.

  • Helen September 28, 2013 (5:50 pm)

    I’m sitting on NB 99 right now. The reader board sez the Battery Street tunnel is closed again.

    • WSB September 28, 2013 (5:54 pm)

      Yes, we’re just getting word of that and I will be launching the evening update … there is a crash but I don’t know details.

  • karen September 28, 2013 (5:54 pm)

    Ugh 5:55 pm anothet acvident. We have been sitting on viaduct for thirty minutes so far

  • sam-c September 28, 2013 (5:57 pm)

    coming back from ferry at 5:20, saw 99N blocked off w/ 3 fire vehicles (right near the triangle tavern below).- traffic stopped

  • SC September 28, 2013 (6:12 pm)

    Been on the viaduct 40 mins just got to across from safeco. Looks like they are moving cars off the on-ramp.

    • WSB September 28, 2013 (6:13 pm)

      Thanks – we are updating this situation now at the new evening story – https://westseattleblog.com/?p=251211
      .
      Good luck to everybody stuck in it! A photo on Twitter suggests it’s a one-car spinout and that a tow truck was not far away so we are hopeful it won’t be TOO long …

  • sophista-tiki September 29, 2013 (4:20 am)

    Moral of the story- dont take the stinkin viaduct!

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