TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch; early West Seattle Bridge crash, other incidents

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

5:53 AM: Thanks for the texts. We start the morning with a crash on the west end of the West Seattle Bridge, which is closed both ways right now as a result, so you can’t get eastbound from Fauntleroy, and if you’re headed westbound, you’ll be detoured off by Admiral.

6:03 AM: Per scanner, a tow truck is headed “westbound in the EB lanes” to get to the crash scene. Again, the closure (see the top left image) is NOT the entire bridge – it’s the Fauntleroy end, west of the Admiral exit.

6:19 AM: This camera shows the police blocking the eastbound entry at Fauntleroy. We’ve just heard an estimate that it’ll be closed another “15-20 minutes.” We’ll update as soon as it opens.

6:34 AM: And the EB entrance at Fauntleroy IS NOW open, as shown on the SDOT video camera at 35th/Fauntleroy. (SDOT verified via Twitter, all clear, both directions.)

7:41 AM Crash reported at 35th/Thistle. Texter says it’s on NB side.

7:44 AM SDOT also reports a crash on EB surface Spokane just east of low bridge.

7:51 AM And now the SFD log shows a crash dispatch for 35th/Avalon.

8:36 AM Stalled vehicle partly blockkng right lane on EB bridge st Delridge onramp.

9:16 AM: SFD is responding to a “wires down” call at 35th/Southern. We don’t know what part of the road it’s blocking but dispatchers are noting (as monitored via scanner) that City Light is very busy.

ADDED 2:26 PM: Some have asked about injuries in the 5 am-hour crash on the bridge. SFD tells us: “Approximately 84 year-old male transported via SFD Medics in stable condition to Harborview. Second patient, approximately 48-year-old male evaluated by firefighters, no transport required.”

17 Replies to "TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch; early West Seattle Bridge crash, other incidents"

  • West Sea Neighbor October 19, 2017 (6:24 am)

    Can you get on to the bridge from admiral?

    • WSB October 19, 2017 (6:32 am)

      Yes, every way EB *except* Fauntleroy is open. And that shouldn’t be long!

      • WSB October 19, 2017 (6:34 am)

        … in fact, video camera on SDOT map shows it’s now open!

  • Lura Ercolano October 19, 2017 (6:45 am)

    Thank you WSB for all you do.  

  • Slow Down, Take it Easy... October 19, 2017 (7:31 am)

    It must’ve been a horrific accident.  I hope everyone is okay.  

  • GatewoodGuy October 19, 2017 (9:13 am)

    My husband and I moved to West Seattle nearly two years ago and this week has been the worst traffic we’ve seen. Most of the time we’re gone by 7:30 and we make it downtown in around 30 minutes. I’m sure the rain has something to do with it, but even before that started on Wednesday traffic was just awful. Hopefully not setting a new trend.

  • TJ October 19, 2017 (11:27 am)

    Unfortunately it is only getting worse, if that is actually possible. Traffic has always been bad between 7-9, but what I have noticed in the last year is how bad the bridge backs up still until 11. No relief in sight either. I still am confused when light rail was promised to be here by, but its years away (and you can guarantee to add a year to that and more money needed as I don’t believe Sound Transit has even finalized the exact plan to get it here). 

  • KM October 19, 2017 (12:02 pm)

    EB on the West Seattle Bridge was completely closed around just east of the curve off Fauntleroy when I returned to WS at around 11:15am. The intersections of 35th Ave SW at Fauntleroy and Avalon were a bit congested as well. Any word on what happened? Saw a truck, tow truck and 2 SPD at the scene when I came back onto the peninsula

    • WSB October 19, 2017 (12:05 pm)

      There have been at least two more bridge crashes since the morning commute. Neither long-lasting enough for a breakout story, nor were any major-injury situations – the closure was so they could clean up, straighten out the jersey barriers, etc. One of those days where I’m trying to brainstorm how to have not just a morning traffic feature but perhaps a continuous all-day traffic feature, though this (thankfully) is certainly an anomaly-type day … TR

      • KM October 19, 2017 (12:46 pm)

        Thanks for the update (and info from Yumpears below). I had come upon it late and couldn’t quite assess upon glance what was going on.

        I think an all-day traffic ticker or something at the top of the page would be beneficial. I generally check out my trips via Google Maps before I leave WS–but anything to convince those flexible on departure time to hang back I think could be beneficial.

  • Yumpears October 19, 2017 (12:29 pm)

    Thank you to all my West Seattle neighbors who jumped out to help the rolled over truck on EB West Seattle bridge about 10:10 this morning.  I was the third car back and saw the truck roll over – it was pretty scary. But then to see all these people stop to help was heartening. I love my ‘hood.

    I really hope the driver inside the truck was ok.

    • WSB October 19, 2017 (12:57 pm)

      Regarding the crashes today – two things: No life-threatening injuries involved, as that would have brought out the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad, which then means the scene is closed for a few hours – didn’t happen in either case. But looking at the log from the 5 am hour crash, one medic unit didn’t go back into service for more than an hour, so someone may have been transported – I have an inquiry out to SFD.

      • Sean October 19, 2017 (1:14 pm)

        I stopped and helped a man injured in 5 a.m. crash. Praying he is ok. If you get any info on his condition I would appreciate knowing.

  • WSB October 19, 2017 (2:29 pm)

    Just added above. Man in his 80s taken to hospital in stable condition. Man in his 40s treated at scene, didn’t need to go to the hospital.

  • redblack October 19, 2017 (4:07 pm)

    WB fauntleroy expressway down to one lane for the afternoon commute. quickly backing up to the SR99 interchange.

    checked here to see if it’s related to this morning’s crash.

    • WSB October 19, 2017 (4:09 pm)

      There was some jersey barrier work being done as a result of today’s MULTIPLE crashes (the 5 am one was just the start). However, I’ve looked at the cameras and the SDOT alerts and not seeing anything right now – traffic looked to be flowing OK even at midspan. Do you have the bridge in view right now?

      • redblack October 19, 2017 (4:22 pm)

        yep! ducked in skylark for a restroom break (!) and i can see the expressway from here. it’s slow, and i can see brake lights. still looks to be one lane from the bridge cams.

        google maps shows irritation from walking on logs to harbor island.

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