VIADUCT CLOSURE, DAY 5: Afternoon/evening commute updates for Tuesday

(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)

4 PM: The return trip is already under way – this update came in via Twitter a few minutes ago:

Other notes as we start the pm-commute coverage:

Tunnel contractor tells media on conference call that the under-Viaduct tunneling is “going very well” (our story includes drone video inside tunnel and machine)

-All sides of 30th/Yancy/Avalon intersection are open; SDOT says crews will be back Friday to stripe the new crosswalk, likely midday & short-term

-Added no-parking zone on Harbor, inland side of street, mostly across from Don Armeni, next three days 8 am-5 pm, attributed to construction company (working to find out more – thanks to Carolyn for the tip – UPDATE: Project rep says it’s “utility investigation” work that has to be done before they can finally get a demolition permit for the ex-Alki Tavern-and-vicinity site)

5:02 PM: Crash at 37th/Andover is blocking Andover both ways, per scanner. Also, there’s a fire alarm – but no fire visible, per arriving SFD crews – at 3250 Avalon Way.

6:35 PM: Commenters are still reporting delays with the southbound bus reroutes on Lander. We’ll be asking about that at tomorrow’s megabriefing downtown with reps from the county, state, and city, regarding how traffic/transit is going. Meantime, some numbers from this afternoon’s Water Taxi runs from downtown to West Seattle, via the KCDOT – a capacity run at 5:15 again:

Preliminary ridership for peak commute Tuesday evening, leaving Pier 50:

4:45 pm: 191 riders (last Tuesday was 51)

5:15 pm: 278 riders (1 did not board) (Last Tuesday was 101)

5:45 pm: 186 riders (last Tuesday was 60)

8:32 PM: Latest progress report on tunneling – 131 of the 380 feet it’ll take to get to the point where they’ll reopen the Viaduct. Here are the details as well as traffic recaps from the afternoon/evening.

43 Replies to "VIADUCT CLOSURE, DAY 5: Afternoon/evening commute updates for Tuesday"

  • alkimom71 May 3, 2016 (4:16 pm)

    Line stretched to end of dock for water taxi.  So far there are still lots of empty seats at 415.

    • WSB May 3, 2016 (4:16 pm)

      Thank you for the update!

  • Sue May 3, 2016 (4:47 pm)

    This is my first time taking the 55 home (I’ve just been grabbing 21s and transferring). Driver took Airport Way to Lander. Is that the actual route, or is he going rogue? We’re making great time.

    And drivers on Lander trying to turn left on 1st with the buses, please be mindful of the buses. We were in the left lane on the other side of the tracks, waiting for enough room to cross the tracks. When we had the space and started moving, a car next to us sped up to slide in front of us, and we ended up having to stop partially on the track. Thank goodness a train didn’t come.

  • Joe Bags May 3, 2016 (5:14 pm)

    Homeowners- make sure your fences and plantings are to code and that they do not restrict visibility. Drivers, excercise caution at uncontrolled intersections.

  • newnative May 3, 2016 (5:21 pm)

    Sue, i thought it was rogue but bus gossip says it is planned.  i am on #56, boarded at 4:51 at 3rd n Bell.  now it’s 5:20 and we are at Lander n 4th  so far, no trains  

  • Mark May 3, 2016 (5:21 pm)

    37th & Andover! Again! Many people out there (myself included) travel east/west on Andover as much or more than on the marked arterial, which is two blocks further north (Manning turning right onto 37th). The big deal (as many know) is that 36th & Andover has yield signs for the north/south traffic, but 37th & Andover DOESN’T for some unknown reason. Then 38th & Andover has the traffic circle. This intersection is not a good one with many accidents!

    • Joe Bags May 3, 2016 (5:46 pm)

      I agree. Maybe now enough accidents have happened to warrant changes by the city.

  • JennyL May 3, 2016 (5:23 pm)

    On the 5:15 water taxi from downtown. Busy but still some extra seats, and no one left at dock even though our line stretched back to Alaska.

  • Paul May 3, 2016 (5:36 pm)

    The southbound detour for Viaduct bus routes (in the afternoon, anyway) is evidently Airport Way to Lander, with a stop at the SODO light rail station.  Too many buses doing this for it to be ‘rogue’. 

  • JennyL May 3, 2016 (5:38 pm)

    5:37 773 shuttle from dock to Alaska Junction was full and had to leave riders behind. Not sure how often this is happening. Driver said next shuttle arrives in 25 minutes. 

    Is Metro tracking rider volumes on shuttles?

    • WSB May 3, 2016 (5:51 pm)

      Jenny – They’re tracking just about everything. Hadn’t heard of this problem previously (doesn’t mean it didn’t happen) – we’ll ask.

      Paul – Sorry I missed the previous part of the conversation but no, the route isn’t “rogue,” see the official detour map, southbound route (page 2 of http://wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/Media/Default/-NewDocuments/99closure/99Closure_Metro.pdf )

      • rider May 3, 2016 (7:00 pm)

        The 773 left people behind after the 5:15 shuttle yesterday, too. 

  • Rachel May 3, 2016 (5:50 pm)

    The 56 that was supposed to pick up at 3rd and Bell never came.  Reader board went from due in 5 minutes to due in 45 minutes.

  • Dee May 3, 2016 (6:02 pm)

    WSB, do you know of any Metro 125 updates? Again, today (around 3:15ish) the 125SB was supposed to pick us up at 3rd and Seneca and never came. This is the 2nd time this happened. Are the 125s (and other buses that are impacted by the Viaduct closure) only running 1 or 2 an hour? Or are the reader boards not updated? Thanks! 

  • tk May 3, 2016 (6:05 pm)

    37th & Andover is an accident waiting to happen, with tall dirt hills & plantings on the NE corner right up to the intersection and blocking the view, (especially when travelling S. on 37th, with cars coming up the hill on Andover out of sight). Planting strips are nice but also must be safe. Please clear out the view to the intersection!

    • Joe Bags May 3, 2016 (6:36 pm)

      Agree with tk. The owners have definitely improved the NE property but I think the plantings and fence height are not to code. Even if they are to code they restrict visibility. Add in the hill and it’s a bad combo.

    • JunctionCommenter May 3, 2016 (8:26 pm)

      My other comment is stuck but I’ve submitted multiple complaints to the city, resulting in the same inspector dismissing them as non-violations… ?? SDOT actually sent a warning to the owner that resulted in the dirt hills being lowered all of ten inches and still not safe.

      I sent another email tonight and submitted another complaint (it’s really not safe) – I encourage everyone to do the same. It takes 5 minutes and if enough people complain maybe the city will actually make the owner remove the dirt hills, ten million trees, and 6 foot tall front fence. 

      http://web6.seattle.gov/DPD/PermitStatus/

      • Joe Bags May 3, 2016 (9:09 pm)

        I will share my concerns with DPD too. Thanks for the link.

        • JunctionCommenter May 3, 2016 (9:46 pm)

          You’re welcome.

          You could also try Jason Johnson at 206-684-5267 he is the Public Space Management District Inspector for SDOT. He has already issued a warning to this address regarding the plantings and visibility.  I’m not sure if the property has been reinspected since the warning, I sent him a follow up regarding the accident tonight as well.

      • sam-c May 4, 2016 (8:52 am)

        Sorry, what is the first place you should send your concerns to ? SDOT or DPD?

        There is some euphorbia at the corner of SW Othello and 31st Ave SW that is really hard to see around when slowing to look for oncoming traffic at the uncontrolled intersection.  I am not a neighbor, otherwise I might just knock on the door. But, i drive through that intersection all the time due to childcare drop off.

        • JunctionCommenter May 4, 2016 (9:51 am)

          Hi Sam, first is to DPD (which is now renamed the department of construction and inspections, I believe) at the link. I talked with SDOT after DPD basically said “not a violation talk to SDOT.” I provided both in case others have a similar problem with non enforcement of clear code violations. 

  • Sam May 3, 2016 (6:09 pm)

    Decided to try the 57 tonight. Left 3rd-Bell right on time at 5:45, got ti train tracks at Lander at 6:04… only to be stopped by a slow BNSF train. Almost made it to the tracks to cross before another train came. At least this one a fast Amtrak. We’re rolling again after 5 minutes wait.

  • newnative May 3, 2016 (6:09 pm)

    Rachel, what time?  

    • WSB May 3, 2016 (6:16 pm)

      Re: all the bus questions – The next in-person media briefing with reps from Metro, city, state, etc. is tomorrow at 11 am (in lieu of the conference calls for media the past couple days) downtown, and we’re going as usual. You guys have been experiencing all this firsthand so your questions are the ones we’ve been asking. In general, has the Lander route home been abject misery for three weekdays now, or has it had any upside? – TR

  • Rachel May 3, 2016 (6:16 pm)

    @new native- Sorry, that was the in theory 5:30.

  • Elton May 3, 2016 (6:18 pm)

    6:15 tĆ”xi is still loading so will leave at least 5 minutes late. Line looked to have about 200 people. I don’t think it’ll sell out. 

  • AJP May 3, 2016 (6:18 pm)

    Had a lovely ride on my bicycle! Got to smell the roses blooming down by Harbor Island. Commute + workout = awesome!

  • Rachel May 3, 2016 (6:20 pm)

    The 57 from 3rd and Bell @5:45 had to wait for a freight train and an Amtrak. The route to get to Lander via Airport Way is so convoluted with so many lights. 

  • WSCommuter May 3, 2016 (6:36 pm)

    WSB – Barely made it across the Spokane Street low bridge this morning before the bridge closed to traffic (9:14:47 AM) for almost 30 minutes. Other commuters were not so lucky. I know it might be a long shot, but I really hope you can get some response from SDOT during the briefing tomorrow morning as to whether the low bridge tweets can add either the class/size of the vessel and/or estimated time that the Spokane Street low bridge will be closed to traffic. This would really help those of us who live in the cheaper seats on Puget Ridge and have limited, spotty bus service. Thanks in advance!

  • Kate M May 3, 2016 (6:51 pm)

    First time riding C Line back to WS. Geez, this reroute to Airport Way is beyond tedious! Still, I guess it just felt like an eternity… 45 minutes from 3rd and Pike to Alaksa Junction. 

  • Matthew May 3, 2016 (7:19 pm)

    it’s lander that’s the problem. buses have to stop at every rr track even dead end ones while cars dart in front of them. why all SB buses can’t temporarily use the busway is just idiocy.  alternatively, have all WS buses pickup/dropoff at light rail, all north end workers exit rail at Westlake and walk a block to streetcar, or take any 3rd Ave NB bus.  sodo area will never work for buses unless given use of all or part of busway.  oh and who’s the genius that didn’t start the bus lane on 4th NB until royal brougham? the bus lane should START the moment we hit 4th and spokane, DUH. thanks again metro for screwing the WS transit user.  Do us a favor and tell your drivers to go whichever was “gets us there” and stop with the stupid fixed routes.

  • pagefive May 3, 2016 (7:28 pm)

    I think crossing the train tracks at Lander has proven to be a flawed plan. I road the 116 this morning and we, a C line and a 37 were all stopped at the tracks for 5+ minutes. Based on my experience busing it since Friday, morning slowdowns occur on Avalon, Lander (if you hit it wrong) and 4th Ave S. It took 50 minutes to get from Morgan Junction to 3rd & James. Afternoons have been much lighter for me (but I’m fortunate to leave work early enough to beat the rush hour).

  • WS-Fellah May 3, 2016 (8:11 pm)

    Was on a 21x with 3 other people around 6:10pm. A cyclist struck our bus head on as he was cruising down Yessler. The cyclist was injured and carried away via stretcher. 

    This caused significant backups for all the reroutes heading that way around that time. 

  • Bus rider May 3, 2016 (8:33 pm)

    My bus has been stopped at the Lander railroad crossing every night of my commute. What ever happened to the Lander Street overpass? 

  • Neighbor May 3, 2016 (8:36 pm)

    If taking the water taxi – do the shuttles go from the Junction to the water taxi via Avalon? Today took almost 90 minutes via the 21 at 6:30AM, mostly due to traffic on Avalon, so I’m wondering if it’s even worth catching the shuttle to the water taxi if it’s stuck in the same traffic, and then I’d have to wait in line and then for the sailing. Maybe a good option if not on a schedule. Then again, how can anyone be on a schedule with the Viaduct closed. Also, given that West Seattle will not have an exit via the tunnel to downtown, should we all just expect this to be the new normal for traffic into the city? Without the Lander overpass and dedicated bus lanes, it seems like the 100,000 West Seattle residents may as well live on an island.

  • Deb May 3, 2016 (8:58 pm)

    I’ll repeat my comment from Friday: Rapid Ride buses should not be on Lander Street. They should be prioritized and take Edgar Martinez Way over the tracks or any other route where they are NOT HAVING TO STOP AT TRAIN TRACKS. 

  • JayDee May 3, 2016 (9:05 pm)

    @AJP I would love to bicycle in. 5 years ago I suffered a spinal L1 injury that lets me ride a bike but which makes me paranoid of crashing and being paralyzed. The southend of the commute along East marginal way, through Harbor Island is sketchy and even along the waterfront is problematic. I work at 6th and Union. Climbing up to 6th and Union from the waterfront is death-defying. So some of us have to bus or WT in. Not because we don’t want to smell the roses.  If it was easy we would all bike in. And if the city cared to some degree, and made dedicated bike lanes that connected to others, even I might. But I am biased and want to continue to walk rather than ride and pray.

  • Earlybird May 3, 2016 (9:12 pm)

    I’ve been taking the light rail to the Sodo station stop each evening then catching a WS bound bus on Lander. Yes it gets stuck behind train stops but it shaves off a lot of time sitting on the bus to get out of downtown. 

  • Marianne May 3, 2016 (9:58 pm)

    Earlybird-I live in the White Center area and have been taking light rail as part of my commute too (along with a short drive to a park and ride, a quick F line trip, and a mile walk).  It does take longer than my regular drive, but it is stress free.  I really did not want to be on any surface streets during the Viaduct closure.

  • East Coast Cynic May 3, 2016 (10:18 pm)

    @Bus Rider, we could have gotten a Lander Street overpass if a majority of the City Council had voted for the street vacation for Chris Hansen’s SODO Arena project.  Part of the agreement, had it been approved, was that he would have paid for the construction of it in addition to other infrastructure improvements in the area.  Probably best to ask our district councilperson Lisa Herbold, who was one of the no votes on the SODO Arena project, how we will get a Lander Street overpass funded and paid for without the SODO Arena project.

    • Chemist May 4, 2016 (12:02 am)

      We might already have a lander overpass if the funding for it weren’t previuosly redirected to fix mercer to better handle key arena/sonics traffic.

  • KW May 3, 2016 (10:46 pm)

    @Jaydee

    I often bike commute from WS to Beacon Hill. I totally agree- although a great thing to do it can feel scary due to the crazy streets, train tracks, bike lanes that go from separate, to merging with car lanes, to being part of bus lanes, etc .  If you do ride I feel like you have to be super aware of everything around you, and make sure you as a biker are really visible and predictable.   Bike commuting in Seattle, especially WS going to the rest of Seattle can be challenging and I am never “relaxed” doing it.  Be careful out there. 

  • Danielle May 4, 2016 (10:10 pm)

    I am a regular rider of the water taxi. The efforts of the staff are to be commended for handling the deluge of riders. They have extra staff assisting and monitoring, have modified boarding and disembarking processes each day to make it faster, and are so pleasant and helpful! Kudos to them for providing a wonderful commute everyday!

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