TRAFFIC ALERTS: SB 35th SW at Graham; SB 4th Ave. S.; Highland Park Way and Holden

35thgrham2
(WSB photo, 35th SW between Graham and Morgan)

5:03 PM: Two traffic alerts as the heart of the evening commute approaches – one, a crash reported at 35th and Morgan; second (thanks to Roxy for the tip), police activity has closed 4th Avenue South by the I-90 ramp. More as we get it.

5:24 PM: The crash on 35th is blocking southbound lanes just south of Graham, which is where police are diverting traffic westbound on Graham – 36th SW, south of Graham, southbound, is jammed as a result. No serious injuries in the crash, SPD tells us. Meantime, the 4th Ave. S. situation continues – not a crash, but some kind of police activity – and is backing up alternate routes including 2nd, says SDOT.

5:47 PM: And here’s what SPD says the 4th Avenue S. situation is about:

SPD says they’re 13, 16, and 17 years old.

5:49 PM: And now there’s a crash at Highland Park Way and Holden. (added) Reported to be “3 or 4 vehicles.”

6:04 PM: Texter says the crash is stopping traffic headed uphill; SPD says Holden is subject to closure until it’s cleared.

6:22 PM: We are at the HP scene.

holden2cars

(photo added) 2 people have been taken to the hospital, police tell us. Uphill traffic has to go right onto westbound Holden.

6:48 PM: On our way back from HP Way, we doublechecked 35th/Graham; that scene is clear, and SDOT says two lanes have reopened on 4th Avenue S. at the earlier arrest scene. As for the current West Seattle incident – please let us know if you go through HP Way/Holden and it’s clear, as we won’t be able to get back there to check any time soon – thank you.

7:28 AM: Thanks to Sage K. for reporting in comments that HP Way is now clear too.

13 Replies to "TRAFFIC ALERTS: SB 35th SW at Graham; SB 4th Ave. S.; Highland Park Way and Holden"

  • Seth February 1, 2016 (5:44 pm)

    4th Ave situation is the murder arrests from the Jungle incident correct?

    • WSB February 1, 2016 (5:47 pm)

      I am adding the SPD tweet about that right now.

  • Shawn February 1, 2016 (6:23 pm)

    Highland Park crash

  • Trickycoolj February 1, 2016 (6:23 pm)

    HP Way uphill is being diverted into Holden Westbound. Road is blocked for straight ahead traffic. Saw a 131 bus get through straight before more SPD came and put out flares closing the left lane. Be careful the backup starts just around the bend uphill so be ready to come to a complete stop. 

  • JanS February 1, 2016 (6:36 pm)

    teenagers…how sad

  • Sage K. February 1, 2016 (7:18 pm)

    Highland Park Way is clear now. The police were wrapping up when I went through a half hour or so ago. Traffic was getting through fine however.

    • WSB February 1, 2016 (7:27 pm)

      Thank you!

  • Craig February 2, 2016 (7:02 am)

    How many more accidents have to occur at HP Way and SW  Holden before SDOT commits to making the intersection safe?  Thanks to Jim Curtain for his efforts to find funding for what would be an expensive traffic circle  (if that is the best option) but there is a clear need for change. 

  • Cynical girl February 2, 2016 (7:19 am)

    How will a traffic circle solve Highland Park/Holden intersection? I watch this intersection everyday and drivers are already confused with the stop sign. Nobody knows who’s turn it is, which lane a car is in, which lane the car should be in. Please, pretty please put a light there. Put better lane markings on the road and put up signs both ways before the intersection indicating what lanes go where. I live up the street and would be happy to record 5 minutes of this keystone cop intersection to show the mucky mucks.

  • Craig February 2, 2016 (9:04 am)

    It is very dysfunctional intersection .   Check out this link   http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/nsf13/nsf_delridge.pdf   to an earlier Bridging the Gap application from HPAC.    Both a traffic circle and stop light version were proposed.   I think the traffic circle idea would have a learning curve as it would be the first in the City but it would maintain flow up a very steep Highland Park Way.    I don’t know which would be best but I think it’s time for the City to come up with a solution and make a change. 

  • Alan February 2, 2016 (10:13 am)

    This is a horrible intersection. West Seattle keeps growing
    and there are basically three paths out of it: the West Seattle Bridge,
    Holden/Highland Park Way, and Roxbury/Olson Place. The West Seattle Bridge
    takes the bulk of it, as designed. I believe (no stats to back it up) that
    Roxbury is next. One is more or less a freeway from 35th on and the
    other is a major arterial with four lanes and well controlled
    intersections.  Then we have Holden/HP
    Way, which is inadequate to the east from Delridge Way.

    Besides the Holden & Highland Park Way intersection, the
    city needs to figure out how to handle the Holden & 16th
    intersection. It needs a turn lane and a turn signal, at minimum. If the city
    doesn’t want to improve this route, they need to come up with a way of
    discouraging it, as it becomes the default when there is an issue on the West
    Seattle Bridge.

  • Audrey February 2, 2016 (10:30 am)

     I have to also agree with you Alan, I have seen way too many close calls in this area 

  • Craig February 2, 2016 (11:32 am)

    Agreed. 

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