TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; bridge crash

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:48 AM: Trouble on the bridge – thanks to everyone who’s reporting a crash at/near the top, described as blocking the bus lane and part of the lane to the left of it. No injuries.

7:20 AM: Still causing a backup. (Added – screengrab we snagged at the time, for posterity:)

Meanwhile, if you’re going to be on the road in SODO at midday today, remember that the Mariners have a day game.

7:29 AM: Thanks for comment updates, including bus rider reporting tow truck at crash scene. (Added – another screengrab for posterity:)

7:59 AM: After almost an hour and a half, the bridge crash has JUST cleared. Just last night, the “one stalled car/crash blocking thousands of commuters” problem was among the questions the West Seattle Transportation Coalition had for Mayor Murray’s transportation adviser Andrew Glass Hastings; our story’s coming up later (spoiler alert on that point, no clear answer).

8:14 AM: As commenters are pointing out – there’s still a residual backup, so if you can wait to leave, that’s still good advice. We also were asked if SDOT tweeted about the crash (here’s the context for asking) – the first tweet we see was at 7:42 am, an hour after the earliest reports we received.

30 Replies to "TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; bridge crash"

  • Dw May 14, 2014 (7:15 am)

    Why do people do that to us?

  • sue May 14, 2014 (7:22 am)

    35th still backed up to Mt St Vincent

    • WSB May 14, 2014 (7:27 am)

      Thank you. This crash is a bit of a mystery – just out of bridge-cam range, and nothing on the scanner, as even our favorite TV traffic person noted – so whenever it’s cleared, if anyone can safely/legally let us know (from the passenger seat, carpool, passing bus, or once you get to work, 206-293-6302), that will help.

  • peter rowen May 14, 2014 (7:26 am)

    I’m on the 56. Middle two lanes are blocked; tow truck on scene.

  • Ms. May 14, 2014 (7:27 am)

    Got on Bridge around 6:40am this morning and noticed it was really backed up even for a Wednesday. The accident looks pretty bad. 1st car rear ended the 2nd car. 2nd car was a mid 2000s Honda. 1st car was pretty full, I’d speculate that sun and a distracted driver would be to blame.

    Location of the accident was like right after you crest the top of the WS bridge. It was blocking the lane to the left of the bus lane.

    Also, as per my text in this morning, there was this BMW sitting in the far right lane, not sure if it was a stalled car, or involved in the accident, but that was probably a couple car lengths down from the accident on the far right partially blocking the lane to get on 99 as well.
    There was lots of debris in the bus lane. Good luck everyone.

  • CEA May 14, 2014 (7:35 am)

    Our Rapid Ride bus has slowed at Alaska and Fauntleroy – reader board says 35 mins to 1st Ave. And, of course, the lower bridge is closed.

  • Mapgrl May 14, 2014 (7:36 am)

    The two cars involved in the crash and a police car are still blocking the lane. The debris has been cleared.

  • kate May 14, 2014 (7:40 am)

    Sitting on a 55, 10 minutes to get from Alaska Junction to 35th Ave and we sat through 2 lights. Happy Wednesday everyone! Figures I biked yesterday…

  • Mapgrl May 14, 2014 (7:40 am)

    A police car and the two cars involved in the accident are still blocking the lane.

  • cd May 14, 2014 (7:41 am)

    Accident in 2nd from left lane, can easily get by on right. Good luck!

  • D May 14, 2014 (7:43 am)

    And of course the lower bridge is up and closed to traffic.

  • Ben May 14, 2014 (7:45 am)

    And of course the low bridge appears to be open – at least the lights are flashing on the “use high bridge” signs.

  • CEA May 14, 2014 (7:54 am)

    Avalon still backed up all the way from Fauntleroy down to the bridge and beyond.

  • Dustin May 14, 2014 (7:56 am)

    Accident has been cleared. Drive smart.

  • 935 May 14, 2014 (7:57 am)

    gridlock for all!!
    at least we get to pay for not going anywhere. buses cars alike!
    way to go sdot!! the bikes are moving though.

    • WSB May 14, 2014 (7:59 am)

      Well, they weren’t moving when the low bridge was closed (until a few minutes ago). Crash now clear.

  • CEA May 14, 2014 (7:59 am)

    Crash has cleared but traffic is still heavy leading up to the bridge. We’re flying on the bridge on the C!

  • supernova72 May 14, 2014 (8:00 am)

    At 7:10 35th was backed up as far as I could see from Taco Time area looking south. If you can figure out a plan B I would avoid the bridge. Hope they are OK.

    • WSB May 14, 2014 (8:06 am)

      No injuries reported – SFD was never even dispatched (which made updates from bus riders, passengers, etc., all the more important, since the SFD 911 log is a major source of info … except when there’s no SFD dispatch because no injuries or other complications). Thanks again for the updates!

  • Drives Alone May 14, 2014 (8:05 am)

    Did SDOT tweet anything about the back up on the bridge?

  • WS Skokkum May 14, 2014 (8:08 am)

    8:06 – gridlock on Fauntleroy south if Alaska Junction. Bus hasn’t moved in 8 minutes. Bridge might be clear but traffic isn’t.
    Now creeping along past stalled bus on northbound Fauntleroy at Alaska.

  • IXOBPP May 14, 2014 (8:13 am)

    8:11am. On the 116 to downtown. 27 minutes from Morgan Jct to Trader Joes. Reader board says 38 min to 1st Ave. Stay home if you can.

  • trickycoolj May 14, 2014 (8:57 am)

    Lots of residual traffic on Holden 16th Austin. 8:55am

  • trickycoolj May 14, 2014 (9:02 am)

    1st ave bridge backed up around under it to 2nd and HP Way. Avoid if your commuting south/Georgetown.

  • Enough May 14, 2014 (9:03 am)

    Still backed up almost to 35th at 9:00.

  • miws May 14, 2014 (9:04 am)

    935, how was the collision SDOT’s fault?

    .

    Now, if SDOT had a lane closed during commuter hours to polish the lane divider buttons, that would be another story….

    .

    Mike

  • Enough May 14, 2014 (9:13 am)

    Poor resolution time history for clearing accidents, for the agencies involved.

  • CandrewB May 14, 2014 (10:22 am)

    I would like to extend kudos to SDOT for not calling all of the stuck West Seattle Bridge commuters scumbags again.

  • enough May 14, 2014 (11:31 am)

    True CandrewB, true.

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