VIADUCT CLOSURE, DAY 4: Monday morning traffic/transit watch

(SDOT MAP with camera/incident links; OFFICIAL #99CLOSURE INFOSITE; ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

5:03 AM: Good morning! We’re back on early traffic/transit watch for the second weekday of the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. That includes the Water Taxi (which has its first run from Seacrest at 6:15 am) and low-bridge closures, if any (Friday morning’s commute had just one). No incidents so far. If you missed the weekend progress reports, after the expected slow start, the tunneling machine had gone a tenth of the under-Viaduct distance as of Sunday afternoon.

5:40 AM: The bridge is getting busier, as you can see in the camera views above. Still no problems. Forecast high today is 20+ degrees above normal – going into the 80s.

6 AM: SDOT notes that NB I-5 through downtown is getting busy. E-mail from Kristina reminds us of an update on some West Seattle road work – SW Yancy has reopened at Avalon as of Friday, but 30th SW was still closed on the south/east side of the intersection. We’re checking with SDOT today on how much longer work is expected to last.

6:15 AM: High-bridge backed up already, as John points out:

Taking the bus? Despite the Friday afternoon delays on Lander, Metro is not making changes so far. Today we will also again have an afternoon/evening traffic/transit watch with updates on how it goes. No sports in SODO tonight, though – the Mariners are on the road @ Oakland.

leddy
(Sunrise over early Water Taxi arrivals – photo by J. Leddy – thank you!)

6:28 AM: Our crew at Seacrest reports the Water Taxi’s first run was a little busier than last Friday – 87 passengers this morning, compared to 78. But there’s still room for MANY more (capacity 270+). We meantime asked what happens if the free shuttle runs late. During peak commute periods, WT reps tell us, the boat does not wait for the shuttle, though during off-peak periods it can wait a few minutes if it gets word of a delay.

6:51 AM: Bridge is backed up all the way to the 35th/Fauntleroy entrance, so allow tons of time if you have to use it any time soon. Meantime, 6:45 am Water Taxi passenger count was 142, up from Friday’s run at 124, but still lots of room, and remember the extra parking at Pier 2 (across from the 7/11) if you’re driving.

7:03 AM: Just getting going? Summary so far: No incidents. People leaving early – bridge already jammed. Water Taxi usage up a bit but lots of room remains, and it’s a beautiful day for a boat ride (see our crew’s 6:45 am photo here). Atop this report, we’ve added 1st Ave. S. and 4th Ave. S. cameras by request since those streets are carrying so much more traffic during the Viaduct closure.

7:31 AM: Definitely a busier commute than Friday, as many expected it would be. Water Taxi update from co-publisher Patrick Sand monitoring the situation at Seacrest – 221 for the 7:15 run, up from 180 on that run Friday. (Added: Carolyn Newman‘s overview photo of those who lined up for it:)

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And we have an update on the shuttle problems that some riders have reported. The county acknowledges “driver error” which included a “missed stop.”

7:45 AM: Texter reminds us that the 15th/Holden light for the Delridge-Highland Park Greenway is now activated, just a bit east of signalized 16th/Holden, and says backups have resulted.

8:02 AM: Thanks to everyone who’s reporting how their commute went. At the Water Taxi dock, we’ve learned that the 7:45 run had 212 passengers (was 180 on Friday). Via Twitter, we got a question about whether they’re maxing out on bicycles yet. No, the WT reps tell us, but if they did hit the full 26-bike capacity of the rack, they can still fit another half-dozen or so here or there around the boat. On the roads – still sloooooooooooow going.

8:20 AM: Try the bus! Josh tweeted this:

8:25 AM: First crash reported this morning in this general area – 1st Ave. S. and East Marginal Way. Haven’t heard yet on injuries or traffic effects.

8:33 AM: Almost capacity for 8:15 am Water Taxi sailing – 255 passengers. Spirit of Kingston (the old WT) has just come over for an unannounced extra run.

kingston1

Meantime, if you’re at the dock and noticed the SFD emergency response going by – automatic fire alarm at Salty’s (WSB sponsor) nearby, BUT the arriving crews found NO problem so they’re being dismissed.

8:50 AM: More commute reports in the comments, and on Twitter, suggesting that the later going today was much faster than Friday.

This is a lot like what happened during 2011’s “Viadoom” – the real trick here in the days ahead will be, don’t go back to your old ways – keep up with the alternatives/changes, so everything gets spread around.

8:55 AM: 120 on that run with the Spirit of Kingston, which basically became the 8:45 Water Taxi, our crew says, since the near-capacity crowd on the 8:15 run pushed its departure back. (Added: KCDOT clarified in e-mail: “The Doc Maynard had 255 riders on the 815am sailing, which left late at 828am. To help serve customers, we did this: Our Spirit of Kingston boat was done with the extra 99Closure trips to Vashon, so it was brought over to make sure the scheduled 845am departure from West Seattle left on time, and left carrying 131 riders (capacity is 147). It operated kind of like a standby bus does for Metro, maintaining the published schedule. It was not providing an added trip, just a reliable one. It is a back-up plan we can use when we need to help service stay on schedule, but only works when the boat is available. It had the capacity for the riders who needed it.”)

9:17 AM: Earlier, we mentioned the 30th/Yancy/Avalon project, and that we were checking its status with SDOT. The reply:

SW Yancy St is now permanently open. The crews will return to stripe the crosswalk across SW Avalon Way, which will require very short-term lane closures. We will send out an email update to our listserv later today with these details, once the schedule is confirmed.

52 Replies to "VIADUCT CLOSURE, DAY 4: Monday morning traffic/transit watch"

  • WT Shuttle Rider Wannabee May 2, 2016 (6:05 am)

    At WS Junction awaiting 6:58 am shuttle – not in site. Will the water taxi wait for us? 

    • WSB May 2, 2016 (6:07 am)

      Good question. Someone e-mailed us over the weekend that she was startled to find boat did not wait for the shuttle. We’ll ask the Water Taxi rep that our en-route-to-Seacrest crew should be seeing shortly. – TR

  • WT Shuttle Rider Wannabee May 2, 2016 (6:18 am)

    It didn’t arrive so I am riding the C-line. Perhaps it left the stop before its scheduled time. 

  • JennyL May 2, 2016 (6:34 am)

    Water taxi shuttle 773 arrived at 35th/Avalon a few minutes late, OneBusAway app wasn’t updated.

  • JeffK May 2, 2016 (7:05 am)

    Got on WS freeway at 6:00.  Much like Friday where there already was a build-up at 1st Ave waiting to get to I-5.

  • JCK May 2, 2016 (7:12 am)

    Was at my Morgan Junction bus stop at 6:45 today (same time as Friday), for the C line, and the slowdown to get onto the WSea Bridge was much slower today than Friday.  Just got on the bridge at 7:10 am.  I hope the minor changes you mentioned such as different lights on 4th Ave help with that part of the  commute.  TY WSB for all your coverage!

  • RD May 2, 2016 (7:21 am)

    6;30 Left Belvidere- North Admiral.   went low level bridge  to West Marginal Way.  

    7:03  Arrived at my desk in Fremont. 

    13 minutes slower than last Friday.  Mainly due to backup at the low level bridge interchange at Chelan. 

    • bus rider May 2, 2016 (7:50 am)

      Did you drive or ride the bus?

    • RD May 2, 2016 (7:55 am)

      Correction…….  East marginal Way not West Marginal Way by  car.

  • Kate M May 2, 2016 (7:21 am)

    15 min backup to just get on bridge on C Line. Cars are in the bus only lane as far up as the Public Storage building…

  • AdmiralDon May 2, 2016 (7:22 am)

    Rode the bike into work again.  Left at 450.  more traffic along the water as i headed out from Admiral.  some folks parking early for water taxi.  more bikes out today, but not that many more.  more cars on the low bridge than usual this hour.  More trucks on East Marginal way along the very quiet 99.  Bertha staging area not so busy today.  Conveyor belt not running.  Rode up 3rd, usual traffic.    Beautiful sunrise and morning.  Great way to start the Bike to Work month!!  

  • Meyer May 2, 2016 (7:30 am)

    Also on the C line. Got on at 7:08 at the Morgan Junction and it took 20 minutes just to get on the bridge (normally takes 10). Now that we’re on we’re flying by but the real test will be 4th Ave.

    • Meyer May 2, 2016 (7:49 am)

      Update: got to 3rd and Seneca by 7:48 so it only took 40 minutes to go from the Morgan Junction to downtown when leaving at 7:07. Normally this would route would take just under 30.

  • Elton May 2, 2016 (7:49 am)

    Waited at 7:17 for the 7:20 shuttle from Admiral junction but missed it because it was super early. Fortunately I had a backup ride in place but it looks like the shuttles can run early and don’t wait for their posted time. I’m on the 7:45 shuttle – easily 200 people were waiting and we’re still boarding. 

  • Elton May 2, 2016 (7:51 am)

    Just saw the wsb update – could’ve been that our shuttle stop was missed, I don’t have proof that it was early but it did make it to the water tĆ”xi in time with a load of people

  • Andrea May 2, 2016 (7:53 am)

    Left Highland Park and Othello at 6:45.  Took West Marginal to the low bridge and onto 1st Ave.  Down to Yesler and up James to 9th and Terry.  Back down James and onto 1st Ave to SODO.  At desk at 7:35.  50 minutes total, 11 minutes longer than Friday.  Not bad…

  • Azimuth May 2, 2016 (7:53 am)

    This morning, as I slowly made my way north on Alaskan Way, I came to a stop at Yesler and marveled about how Bertha was working away deep beneath me and the closed Viaduct was high above me and thought: “Hey, Wait a Second…!”

  • John May 2, 2016 (7:57 am)

    A lot more bikers on the road today!  I crossed the lower bridge at 5:30am.  I was the 37th biker per the counter. Usually I’m around the 15th.  Glad to see people getting on their bikes.

    • Andrea May 2, 2016 (8:06 am)

      May is National Bike to Work month :)

      • WSB May 2, 2016 (8:17 am)

        Good point! And instead of “Bike to Work Day,” there’s “Bike Everywhere Day” coming up 5/20.

        https://www.cascade.org/bikeeverywhereday

        If the tunneling machine is on schedule, though, #99closure will be over by then – but continuing new transportation habits would be a good thing …

  • Alki resident May 2, 2016 (8:00 am)

    Long line for 745 water taxi but looks like everyone made it on board.

    Still some empty seats but some folks are outside enjoying the beautiful view. 

    • WSB May 2, 2016 (8:01 am)

      Thanks! (And thanks to everybody for the commute reports.) Just got word it had 212 riders, up from Friday as all the runs have been, but no sellouts yet. – Tracy

  • newnative May 2, 2016 (8:05 am)

    For those of you new to the Water Taxi and its shuttle, the shuttles are supposed to stick to the schedule and the drivers do get reprimanded when there are complaints.  I have witnessed it first hand.  They generally don’t allow allow standing room so they will pass stops when/if they are too full.  They are using really big buses during this time to avoid skipping people and I have seen empty buses/shuttles.   The water taxi does not wait for the shuttle pax but has been departing slower because of the increase in people.

    I think beating the jam really comes down to pre-planning your routes and leaving earlier.  1st Ave downtown was empty at 7:00-7:30am, traffic busy but flowing at Alaskan Way.  Quite a few families with little tots on the Water Taxi today.  

  • Sue May 2, 2016 (8:14 am)

    Today’s commute was actually a little better than Friday, surprisingly. I got to work 15 minutes late on Friday, and today only 7 minutes.

  • Susan May 2, 2016 (8:22 am)

     Speaking of the Avalon/Yancy/30th road work, when you talk to SDOT, is there any chance they could move the “Road closed” signs off the middle of the bike lane? They were still there when I rode home Friday. I have not been on Avalon yet today, since I ride down the hill on Fairmount, and up the hill on the more gradual Avalon, so maybe someone else can tell us if those signs are still blocking the bike lane.

  • Chuck May 2, 2016 (8:22 am)

    Kudos (can’t believe I’m saying this) to SDOT for their improvement on 4th ave–they completely did away with parking and traffic moved smartly into the city. I left the Thriftway parking lot at 7:06, and arrived at my SLU destination by 8:00. Worst part was the bridge to 4th; much of the slow down must have been the usual sun-in-eyes. 

    Sure, I left an hour earlier, but commute time was not much worse than regular for me.

  • Jason May 2, 2016 (8:24 am)

    815 water taxi line extended down Alki all the way past the line cedar shake cabin, boarding started at planned departure time and as of 825 still going.  They need to add another boat so that arrival/departure was a little less painful. 

    • Jason May 2, 2016 (8:53 am)

      Update: 255 people on the 815

  • Seaview resident May 2, 2016 (8:29 am)

    On C line at California and Findlay at 7.48 a.m. and there were seats available on the bus the whole way. Arrived at Westlake and Denny at  8.28 a.m. This is only 7 minutes slower than my normal commute which is usually at 6.15 a.m. and a lot less traffic that time of day.

  • Jeff May 2, 2016 (8:30 am)

    Left house 15 minutes earlier than usual, caught the 6:30 Route 55.  Only issue was backup at bottom of Avalon turning onto the WS Freeway.  The journey down 4th Ave seemed much smoother than on Friday.  Arrived at work at normal time.  Key seems to be just allowing for a little extra time on the commute.

  • Laura May 2, 2016 (8:32 am)

    8:00 C-Line from Alaska Junction still had empty seats by the time we got downtown! Bus detour route down 4th didn’t have very heavy car traffic either.

    • Sue May 2, 2016 (8:52 am)

      When I was waiting for the 7:30 #55 at 42nd/Alaska, I saw 3 C’s go by within 5 minutes, the last 2 being empty. So they must be putting extra buses out there to pick up the extra people.

      • sam-c May 2, 2016 (10:32 am)

        Maybe people switched from buses to some other form of transportation after Friday?

        Friday’s morning commute was impacted (and additional 40 minutes for 1 person in our household), and then I read the nightmare stories of buses getting stuck on 1st, 4th and Lander on Friday afternoon. So maybe some people took their bikes instead of buses today.  I know of one person that did.

  • GunnerDDog May 2, 2016 (8:38 am)

    On the 21express at 8:35. There’s NO traffic at all on the bridge.

    • supernova72 May 2, 2016 (10:17 am)

      Wow—at 7:30am there was LOTS of traffic.  I came down Admiral and it took 15 mins just to get to the Chelan Cafe interchange area.

  • Mel May 2, 2016 (8:42 am)

    The 815 Water Taxi left Seacreast at 830 due to the long line and boarding process. They added another boat for the 845, which I’m on, to get back on schedule. Lots of people here but there’s still room. Beautiful day for a boat ride!

  • PigeonPoint May 2, 2016 (8:45 am)

    Route 116 from Fauntleroy/Dawson at 8:23 was a normal commute today, no extra time spent on 4th AVE due to backed up busses. Awesome!

  • Alki neighbor May 2, 2016 (8:52 am)

    Question for WSB: Are figures available for how many people are riding shuttle vans to get to/from the Water Taxi Dock?  I’m especially wondering about the ones that meet the most crowded Water Taxi arrivals. Are the shuttle vans having to turn people away?

    • WSB May 2, 2016 (8:58 am)

      Re: shuttles – our crew just left so I don’t have direct contact but haven’t heard of overflow on the shuttles yet – remember that they beefed them up to 39-passenger buses for the closure period.

      • K'lo May 2, 2016 (9:45 am)

        On Friday afternoon/evening commute, the shuttle was full to capacity and left folks waiting for the next bus. Today will most likely be the same scenario  II’d think judging from the lines from this morning.

  • Paul May 2, 2016 (8:53 am)

    I the commute was only 15 minutes slower than usual by bike (Highland Park to 5th and Virginia), but 100% more enjoyable. While things seem to be moving now, let’s not let up. My fear is that by thrusday everyone thinks the traffic is fine and jumps back in their cars. Good work West Seattle!

  • Yeah! May 2, 2016 (9:01 am)

    I waited for the water taxi shuttle that was supposed to leave the junction at 6:57 so that I could catch the 7:15 boat. I hop on at Harbor Ave next to Kitty Harbor.   It never came.  I waited until 7:20 and ran to get my car so I could make it to the secure parking lot on time to catch the 7:45.  When I got on the boat that shuttle bus FINALLY made it to the water taxi…..30 min late.  It’s just not reliable when traffic is this backed up which is no fault of the driver.  I recommend if you want to catch your boats on time you drive and park in the secured lot.  There were 7 cars total in it.

  • Annie May 2, 2016 (9:07 am)

    Left the house at 7:45, walked to the water taxi.. It’s over an hour later and I’m still on the bus to SLU via the 70. Today will be 1.5 hour commute, I think driving would be faster like it usually is. 

  • KBear May 2, 2016 (9:12 am)

    Something needs to be done about cars driving in the bus lane on Avalon. If it weren’t for that problem, the C line would have been a pretty quick connection to the light rail this morning.

    • Brian May 2, 2016 (9:18 am)

      What could be done? The bus lane literally <em>becomes</em> the right-turn lane to get onto the lower bridge. There’s no clear signage about when drivers are supposed to merge into that lane to use it so people just get over whenever they’re able to do so.

      • WSB May 2, 2016 (9:22 am)

        If anyone has a burning question for either the state or the city regarding either tunneling or traffic, please post it – I will be on the media conference call in two hours – something WSDOT is trying to organize for every weekday of the closure – TR

        • RD May 2, 2016 (10:59 am)

          Tracy …Traffic questions for SDOT or WSDOT: Why did they restrict traffic to one lane on Hyw 99 south bound right before Mercer overpass.  Traffic is permitted  through the  Battery St. tunnel  to the Western Ave exit.  This one lane restriction makes all cars heading to the tunnel waste time in the backup that exits to Denny Way.

          • WSB May 2, 2016 (6:05 pm)

            RD – I did ask that question, did not update sooner, sorry. Changing that is “under consideration” and had already been brought up by someone, according to the WSDOT traffic engineer who was on the call. – TR

      • KBear May 2, 2016 (9:29 am)

        SPD should enforce the law and SDOT should figure out a better lane configuration. Perhaps they could allow right turns from the center lane, so that cars wouldn’t have to go into the bus lane.

      • wsn00b May 2, 2016 (9:29 am)

        Brian, technically, cars needs to stay in the main driving lane, till the bus lane ends. There is a break in the solid white line of the bus lane and the start of the right turn lane solid line where you are supposed to merge. Sure, this will block other cars in the main driving lane (as it should) and allow the bus to maximize its lane. This is the standard for every bus lane that eventually becomes a right turn lane. For example, the right turn from 35th Ave SW northbound to eastbound Avalon also requires a late entry by cars. Most people just drive in the bus lane in front of the bus stops and block the stops often. 

  • wsn00b May 2, 2016 (9:17 am)

    At 8AM, 45 minutes from Morgan Junction to SLU on the C-Line with another 20 minutes padding on either side for walking. 4th Ave was a breeze especially on near the stadiums due to the dedicated bus lanes. It is tempting to go back to driving tomorrow (usually 25 minutes garage-to-garage) but I think I’m going to be smart about it and not join the herd that is probably going to start driving tomorrow. 

  • LyndaB May 2, 2016 (12:45 pm)

    I second WS having SPD watch the bus lanes.  Today I noticed one car drive all the way down the bus lane around 645ish.

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