TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; bridge ramp crash; weekend previews, including 99 closure

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:15 AM: Again this morning, we head into the heart of the commute without anything unusual in or from West Seattle.

VIADUCT CLOSURE SATURDAY NIGHT: WSDOT updated the plan to BOTH directions from 11:59 pm Saturday night until about 5 am Sunday.

CITYWIDE WEEKEND ALERTS: Here’s the SDOT roundup of what’s happening tonight through Sunday.

WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY EVENTS: Check out the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide for the many, many big events this weekend, including the Junction Tree Lighting (5 pm Saturday, Junction Plaza Park at 42nd/Alaska).

7:29 AM UPDATE – BRIDGE CRASH: Thanks to the commenter on board a C Line bus for the firsthand report on why there’s an SFD response to a crash on the eastbound bridge “just before the Delridge merge.” As our commenter notes, the bus was not involved, but some on board might have seen the crash.

7:38 AM UPDATE: Commenters say another bus has stopped to help (possibly to take on some passengers) so right now TWO buses are stopped on the ramp. If you have to get on the bridge, Fauntleroy or Delridge would be better, or wait a while.

7:51 AM UPDATE: Commenter CKelly says four people on the bus have minor injuries from the sudden stop to avoid hitting the cars involved in the collision ahead. From the scanner, police called for more help to get witness statements since “about 70 people” are on the bus.

8:10 AM: Most recent tweet from SDOT:

8:21 AM: And now SDOT says, all clear:

8:37 AM: On-peninsula traffic note – City Light is continuing its pole-replacement work and will be in the California/Holden, California/Ida area of Gatewood between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm (some residents have been warned of outages) today.

9:07 AM: Also on-peninsula – scheduled start today of concrete pour with up to 20 trucks an hour at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project by Lowman Beach. We’ll be checking on its status shortly.

19 Replies to "TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; bridge ramp crash; weekend previews, including 99 closure"

  • C bus December 5, 2014 (7:25 am)

    Trouble on the c. apparently a car tried to cut in front of the bus and hit another car in front of us. Our bus slammed on the breaks but didn’t hit the two cars. We’re all ok on the bus, but there may be injuries in the two cars. We’re on the bridge right before Delridge merges. May be here for a while…. Hope everyone is alright. Drive safe out there!

    • WSB December 5, 2014 (7:26 am)

      Oh no. Thanks for the update.

  • timh2o December 5, 2014 (7:29 am)

    On west sea bridge on c line in injury accident

    • WSB December 5, 2014 (7:32 am)

      Thanks, you must be on the same bus as our first commenter. SDOT is having trouble getting this on camera so updates appreciated if you see/hear anything.

  • chelsea December 5, 2014 (7:33 am)

    A second C bus has stopped to assist and potentially take on passengers from bus involved in the original accident. There is now a fire truck, police car, and ambulance at the scene.

  • Glenn December 5, 2014 (7:35 am)

    Bridge traffic getting pretty backed up. Our bus just stopped to load riders from the downed C

  • Eli December 5, 2014 (7:36 am)

    7:35 our bus just stopped to pick up the people on the other bus… I think. Either way our bus has been stopped at the top of the ramp as well.

    People, PLEASE stop using the bus lanes to drive in. The minute you shave off your commute doesn’t really matter, and you make stuff like this happen and now 80 people’s mornings are messed up.

  • A December 5, 2014 (7:42 am)

    The bus lanes are not bus lanes until after the crest of the bridge.

  • kate December 5, 2014 (7:45 am)

    Just passed by in a 55. Friday morning is usually pretty light, so just a couple minutes of delay. Feel for the passengers, looked like some were being attendees to- 2 fire trucks and lots of cop cars there. Also didn’t see the car that caused it in the front. Hit & run?

  • Eli December 5, 2014 (7:45 am)

    Nevermind, our bus just stopped for 15 minutes at the scene, no particular reason that we were told. We’re moving again, supposedly another bus is on the way to pick up the passengers from the first C bus? Again Metro’s logic leaves me confused

    A – we’re on the on-ramp. That’s a dedicated bus lane.

    • WSB December 5, 2014 (7:47 am)

      Eli – There was scanner discussion about possibly needing to get witness statements from some on the original bus. Police are now asking for more backup to get that handled. – TR

  • ckelly December 5, 2014 (7:46 am)

    On the bus involved. Four minor injuries. All four evaluated by fire rescue. Two people hit the floor, one arm injury, one knee injury. PD onsite taking names. Should be out of here in about 20 minutes.

  • JW December 5, 2014 (7:51 am)

    A. Where this accident occurred it is a bus only entrance lane from Avalon.

  • supernova72 December 5, 2014 (8:16 am)

    At 7:30 it was pretty involved/backed up–meaning two Rapid Rides stopped, two fire trucks, aid car, police cars. Lots of folks standing outside just before Delridge on-ramp. Hoping injuries we minimal.

  • Sky December 5, 2014 (8:17 am)

    Thanks for all the updates :-)

    • WSB December 5, 2014 (8:21 am)

      SDOT just tweeted that the ramp scene is now clear.

  • Franci December 5, 2014 (11:28 am)

    The bus lane is a bus only lane from Admiral on ramp until the lane line is broken, it opens up just past the Delridge merge.

    I saw someone recently jump into that lane early, between (Admiral and Delridge) and didn’t realize there was a patrol car just ahead of them, and yes he put his lights on and pulled the driver over.

  • JanS December 5, 2014 (12:51 pm)

    I live near Admiral, so use that exit to get to the eastbound bridge. People merging from Delridge need to pay attention, put your blinkers on (and do it BEFORE) you’re merging). Same applies to those from Admiral wanting to go to the low bridge, merging left. Just yesterday a truck just plowed on through right in front of me, and I had to slam on my brakes. Remembering the zipper effect helps, too. And if you have to wait until that bus goes by, please do. You save yourself a millisecond of time if you speed ahead. Or worse.

    And, yes, Franci, I see some privileged people get in the bus lane early, because….privilege …:( so glad to see someone caught ( saw a few speeders getting caught at the top of Admiral Hill going westbound on the way back…I was silently cheering :D

  • hopey December 5, 2014 (2:40 pm)

    My husband got stuck in the backup. What a pain!

Sorry, comment time is over.