TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; NB 99, West Marginal Way crashes

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

7:06 AM: Good morning. One big problem so far this morning – the Battery Street Tunnel is closed because of a crash, so NB 99 is backed up in a big way.

7:27 AM: They’re still working on the tunnel crash, which SPD describes as a “rollover.” NB 5 has had various problems in the early going too, so if you’re headed downtown, your better options will be 1st or 4th, though getting across the bridge to get there will still be a slog.

7:40 AM: SDOT says the crash in the tunnel has been cleared. But beware of “residual backups.” Also, SDOT noted that a vehicle in the right lane waiting to get into the tunnel had stalled … so that might be a factor.

7:47 AM: SDOT says that stalled vehicle has cleared too. Meantime – roads are wet everywhere. Plus, a commenter says the 4th/Lander light in SODO is blinking.

Back here on the peninsula, we don’t know yet if the weather has changed these plans (we’ll go check a bit later this morning), but SDOT’s 25th SW repaving work in North Delridge is scheduled to start today.

8:01 AM: No details but there’s a medical call at 45th/Admiral with one engine on scene.

8:09 AM: If you’re inbound to West Seattle, note that SDOT reports a stalled vehicle on the westbound bridge. Fauntleroy end, per scanner.

8:22 AM: And as commenters are pointing out, the feeder routes are backed up too (the telltale red marks them on the SDOT map, which is always linked in these commute reports, above).

8:47 AM: Crash reported at West Marginal Way SW and Puget Way. Per scanner, it’s a vehicle rolled over on an embankment, everyone out. We’re heading that way.

9:13 AM: No traffic effects on W. Marginal. Pickup is in shrubbery off the road, southbound side.

21 Replies to "TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; NB 99, West Marginal Way crashes"

  • Brian September 19, 2017 (7:12 am)

    Completely stopped in tunnel, along with emergency vehicles for almost 30 min. 

    • Brian September 19, 2017 (7:15 am)

      No mention of this on any radio station website or Seattle Times yet. Leave it to the trusty WSB to be first :-).

      • WSB September 19, 2017 (7:26 am)

        In turn, we thank the person who texted us to let us know. Problem right now is that the broadcast media is focused on the president’s speech.

  • Laura September 19, 2017 (7:29 am)

    Any idea if metro is routing buses off 99 to take 4th instead?

  • West Seattle September 19, 2017 (7:29 am)

    To top this off we went 4th AVE and the light at Lander and 4th is blinking causing a 4 way stop.  Drive safely everyone.

    • WSB September 19, 2017 (7:44 am)

      Thanks for that update!

  • Alki resident September 19, 2017 (7:30 am)

    I don’t know if I’ve ever seen so many response vehicles for the tunnel. I hope everyone involved is ok. 

    • WSB September 19, 2017 (7:44 am)

      It was the standard “heavy rescue” call but no medic unit transport was needed per the incident log – which shows more than half of them were dismissed even before arrival. As updated above, it’s now clear! But the backups of course will linger…

      • Alki Resident September 19, 2017 (8:03 am)

        Great news…thank you

  • Blinkyjoe September 19, 2017 (7:38 am)

    55 minutes on the packed C line to get downtown from Alaska Jct. Hello Tuesday!!

  • Stuart September 19, 2017 (8:02 am)

    31 minutes to get from Fauntleroy/Alaska to 1st Ave exit

  • Kim September 19, 2017 (8:06 am)

    Half an hour on Admiral trying to get on bridge.

  • Diane September 19, 2017 (8:06 am)

    Lower bridge is opened too (lights are flashing under the bridge). Good timing.

    • WSB September 19, 2017 (8:09 am)

      Thank you. Noticed that on the SDOT Bridges tweet stream (which is always linked beneath the images in the morning traffic coverage – no advance warning but they do tweet as soon as it opens and as soon as it closes).

  • Patty September 19, 2017 (8:08 am)

    Sitting in the C on Avalon just before getting on the bridge. Barely moving. Been here for at least 20 mins. 

  • P September 19, 2017 (8:11 am)

    It has taken me 30 minutes to get from 40th & Alaska to Delridge. Still not on the bridge. 

    My boyfriend left at 6:45 to get to work took him an hour to get to Seneca and he informed me this now affecting traffic in all directions. 

  • Earlybird September 19, 2017 (8:19 am)

    4th was a very slow option at 6:30. Lander light was blinking. It will be nice to have that paving project wrap up so all lanes are open.

  • SuperAwesome September 19, 2017 (8:38 am)

    Good grief!  Almost an hour to get to Sodo from Alki leaving at 7:20.  Really annoyed at the people who jump into the right lane on Admiral and cut over to the bridge at the last minute.   

  • DJ September 19, 2017 (8:39 am)

    I gave up and pulled into The Shack cafe to work.  Took me half and hour to make it from Alki beach to the bridge.

  • Dillon September 19, 2017 (8:45 am)

    I wish carpooling in the bus lane was allowed.

  • B September 19, 2017 (9:22 am)

    Got on a 55 at Alaska Junction over 20 minutes ago. Still sitting in traffic in West Seattle near Luna Park Cafe. 

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