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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; weekend reminder

September 8, 2016 6:34 am
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

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

6:34 AM: Good morning! For Seattle Public Schools, it’s the second day of classes, so we will remind you one more time that schedules have changed, with most elementaries starting at 7:55 am – the full list of local start times is here.

EARLY-MORNING FERRY TROUBLE: Some cancellations on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth early this morning because of “necessary repairs.” WSF says the Cathlamet will be back in service with the 6:40 am sailing from Vashon, but keep an eye on their site.

WEEKEND REMINDER: Ramps to Harbor Island will be closed this weekend because of railroad-crossing work, as announced earlier this week.

7:31 AM: Tweeted/texted 20+ minutes after the fact:

8:26 AM: Some trouble out there. Texter says Admiral is backed up. We’re not seeing any obvious reasons – no crashes on 911 log or in Seattle DOT Twitter feed (which often includes crashes that don’t make the 911 log because SFD isn’t called out) – but maybe it’s related to the Avalon clog shown in this tweet:

8:37 AM: Texter says police have been out by the new Genesee Hill Elementary this morning with what appears to be a speed-emphasis patrol. Two cruisers and a “radar gun,” the text noted.

9 AM: SFD log reports a crash response at 35th and Avalon. The SDOT camera doesn’t show anything blocking.

9:14 AM: That response is now “closed.” And via comments and e-mail, there’s word of a problem on eastbound Alaska at Fauntleroy. The e-mail says it appears something from The Whittaker construction site has fallen onto a car. We’ll be going over to look soon as we can.

9:38 AM: Everything is clear at Alaska/Fauntleroy, our photographer reports. Thanks again to everyone for reports/comments about incidents this morning – we and our usual information channels seem to have been at least a step behind, and firsthand reports (again, as long as you’re not the driver!) make a major difference.

3:52 PM: One other Metro cancellation texted/tweeted today after the fact:

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32 Replies to "TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; weekend reminder"

  • Baffled September 8, 2016 (7:28 am)

    Another day, another 7:06 Route 57 no show.  No warning.  METRO SUCKS

    • WSB September 8, 2016 (7:30 am)

      Just adding that.

  • Charlie Rogers September 8, 2016 (7:35 am)

    The 7:06 57 was cancelled again this morning. This is the 3rd time in the last 4 business days. It was cancelled on Friday last week and two days ago on Tuesday. Unfortunately this has become a regular occurence over the past 6 months. If you are effected by these cancellations please let our county council representative, Joe McDermott, know about the trouble it is causing. His contact info is:

    Joe.McDermott@kingcounty.gov

  • newnative September 8, 2016 (7:45 am)

    Okay, I guess it’s time for another barrage of complaints to Metro.  It’s bad enough that they don’t give enough warning that a bus will be cancelled.  But to announce 22 minutes after the bus’ scheduled departure?!  That’s just abusive.  

    This didn’t affect my commute, I caught a bus at 6:30something.  But they need to clean up their alerts, why have it if it’s not being used to actually help people?!

     

  • MindDrive September 8, 2016 (7:52 am)

    Delay on Fauntleroy around Juneau St. is a school gathering delay. Looks like just 2-4 minutes. Pedestrian signals going off frequently, with kids crossing every time.

  • Charlie Rogers September 8, 2016 (7:55 am)

    I’ve made multiple complaints to metro. I think the only thing that will help is if people complain to our county representative, Joe McDermott. They have told me there is a driver shortage. In July their General Manager, Rob Gannon told me that: “I have instructed our Operations Team to be particularly aware of the problems with Routes 56 and 57 and to make every effort to avoid cancelling trips.”

    That clearly isn’t working.

    I’ve also asked about the lack of or late notifications. I was instructed to use their Trip Planner site/app but I refuse to do so because I’m not going to map out my commute every morning. That’s absurd.

    • Baffled September 8, 2016 (5:00 pm)

      Perhaps you could share Mr. Gannon’s email address, as well?  I would love to give home some constructive feedback.  :)

      l

  • Laura September 8, 2016 (7:58 am)

    On top of canceling that 56–again–they sent the alert 20 minutes AFTER the run was due to start. Uselessness on top of uselessness. 

  • sam-c September 8, 2016 (8:09 am)

    drove by accident on Genesee/ 26th at around 7:45.

    looked likeGenesee was blocked off (multiple police and fire vehicles), so assuming that the 50 is re-routed somewhere.

    • WSB September 8, 2016 (8:14 am)

      Thanks; very shortlived call on 911 so hope that means it cleared quickly.

      • sam-c September 8, 2016 (8:18 am)

        That’s good to hear. Didn’t get a good look at it since I was driving, but saw a white SUV up on the planting strip and  a van that also seemed to be involved.

  • Shannon September 8, 2016 (8:34 am)

    Any update on what was up with the truck that was on fire right before getting on 599 S or 99N? I drove past a pick up truck that was engulfed in flames… fire department was on the scene. 

    • WSB September 8, 2016 (8:43 am)

      The 911 log shows a one-engine, now-closed call at W. Marginal S./S. Holden. That’s on our coverage-watch borderline unless we start hearing about it from people, which we did not (until your question). No medical dispatch. (And no SDOT traffic Twitter mention.) We definitely don’t want people to be texting or calling us if they’re driving but anyone who’s a passenger, onlooker in nearby buildings, bus rider, or once you get to where you’re going … 206-293-6302 gets it on our radar.

  • Mike September 8, 2016 (8:49 am)

    Major callout accident by skate park on Delridge, road blocked off, fire trucks, SPD, a bus with hazard lights on.

    • WSB September 8, 2016 (9:04 am)

      SFD closed out the 25th/Genesee crash really fast, before we ever saw it – more than an hour ago.

      • Mike September 9, 2016 (12:11 am)

        weird, I was there at 8:02 AM when I texted my wife about it and they had it totally blocked off with a big callout.  Wonder why they called so many units there and shut off a major arterial, it caused a huge backup and cluster of vehicle turning around on the other side streets.

        • WSB September 9, 2016 (12:19 am)

          Metro never announced a reroute and SFD only sent one engine. Some crashes are cleared amazingly quickly – we’ve noticed that more than usual in the past few months. If no one’s hurt and the vehicle(s) in question aren’t immobilized, they get them off to the side as fast as they can. We’ve noticed this in checking out crashes near our side of town, even if we get out the door within a few minutes of the call. There of course are the exceptions, like that one car on southbound 99 for hours a few weeks ago …

  • Hockeychick725 September 8, 2016 (8:50 am)

    I know this isn’t exactly West Seattle news, but it is definitely affecting most buses coming from West Seattle right now. It appears there is an accident at 3rd & Union St downtown that is blocking the northbound lanes. They are redirecting buses around it, but it’s very slow going. 3rd Ave is backed up with buses for blocks. My 55 bus sat through several lights at 2nd & Seneca before the driver just decided to let people off since we weren’t going to move anytime soon.

  • David September 8, 2016 (8:55 am)

    21X on the offramp to Seneca for several cycles of the light at 1st and Seneca.  Any word from SDOT on why this so severely backed up?

    • WSB September 8, 2016 (9:01 am)

      That is probably because of the crash at 3rd and Union.

  • ad September 8, 2016 (9:11 am)

    Collision eastbound on Alaska and Fauntleroy. Police on scene.

    • WSB September 8, 2016 (9:13 am)

      Thanks. That’s not on 911 either but just got an e-mail saying it’s possibly a car hit by something from the Whittaker construction site.

  • PangolinPie September 8, 2016 (9:11 am)

    It wasn’t a crash at 3rd and Union, it was a pedestrian hit by a bus (possibly two buses – someone told me he was hit and then fell in front of another bus).

    Here’s the victim being supported by some passers by. It’s cleared up now but very sad.

    • WSB September 8, 2016 (9:35 am)

      Thanks, P. FWIW, we use “crash” in any instance of drivers/vehicles hitting something, hitting someone, hitting each other … instead of the subjective and not necessarily accurate term “accident.”

  • PangolinPie September 8, 2016 (10:54 am)

    Ah, I see – thanks, WSB. I guess the pedestrian had a bit of a crash with the bus (or vice versa).

  • Pops September 8, 2016 (11:40 am)

    Police at the new Genesee school for speed enforcement? Huh, wonder why my 6+ years of requests for Schmitz Park never resulted in anything. Better late than never.

  • Pops September 8, 2016 (11:48 am)

    @maverick – somewhat related, left turns from SW Manning (by the Luna Park Cafe) to northbound Avalon Way are illegal. I checked with SDOT last year. The sign and pavement markings were for cars to turn right, bikes were ok to go left. Signage was supposed to be updated after years of people cheating by going left on Avalon to get to Spokane ST/WS Bridge. Haven’t checked on signage.  Hopefully it has been updated.

    • WSB September 8, 2016 (11:53 am)

      I don’t think that intersection has been fixed yet. It’s part of one of the five Neighborhood Street Fund proposals that were before the Southwest District Council again last night (see story published at 9:45 am). Will go squint at it sometime soon, though, to doublecheck. – TR

      • Pops September 8, 2016 (12:36 pm)

        Thanks!

  • 935 September 8, 2016 (12:23 pm)

    Someone let “Maverick” know that the last 200 feet or so of that lane, before the right turn to Spokane Street is open to general traffic. The bus lane extends uphill from there.

    Situational awareness people. Know your surroundings. Also, there is NO (eastbound) left turn from the road in the back right of “Maverick”s photo, aka SW Manning St.

    • AmandaKH September 8, 2016 (3:39 pm)

      Hey 935.  I snapped that picture  as the bus turned onto Spokane, but the line of cars in the Bus Only lane extended all the way up to the Yancy Stop.  So, yeah, situational awareness – I have it.

      • mjc September 8, 2016 (8:18 pm)

        You don’t wanna mess with the Maverick.  She’s got heaps of situational awareness and is very perceptive to the details.  But thanks for the good laugh, 935.

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