“Viaduct closed” lights: Just a test

Thanks to two WSB’ers who e-mailed us to report seeing those semi-new “VIADUCT CLOSED WHEN FLASHING” lights in action this morning — one report at 9 am on The Bridge, one report at 10 am on 35th. Marybeth Turner of SDOT confirms it was a planned test, not a malfunction, and is checking to see if any more testing is planned; good thing they’re checking now, since the next weekend-inspection closure for The Viaduct is just a few weeks away (March 22-23).

7 Replies to ""Viaduct closed" lights: Just a test"

  • chas redmond February 26, 2008 (3:11 pm)

    It’s incredibly irresponsible of the city and SDOT to do this without prior public warning. Extremely irresponsible. And I thought SDOT was showing good signs of evolution. I’ll complain to appropriate groups about this unilateral action and the implications for trust when there really is a reason to close the viaduct.

  • chas redmond February 26, 2008 (3:13 pm)

    As background, I was on 35th and the causeway and then the Viaduct while this “testing” was going on and the effect it had on drivers intent on using the Viaduct was to create a mild form of wandering and slowing/speeding as each driver tried to see if the signs were telling the truth. They weren’t. I was stunned to see this in this manner. It became obvious the signs either were malfunctioning or they were testing them. We’re an intelligent public. SDOT needs to include us in plans which affect us.

  • WestwoodWriter February 26, 2008 (3:35 pm)

    What is WRONG with SDOT? Do they not have ANY sense at all? All of these new expensive-looking signs are now useless. West Seattle drivers will from now on always wonder, is this a test? Should I divert my route? The net result is MORE confusion rather than less.

    What a shameful (and public) waste of money. It reminds me of the SLUT debacle in the South Lake Union neighborhood. Just what Seattle needs, a form of “mass transportation” that actually slows more traffic than it relieves. The Mercer Street Corridor is now an even bigger mess with the addition of FOUR street car crossings (with stop lights) back and forth along that busy corridor. It ADDS an average of 3-5 minutes to car trips from 99 to I-5 on Mercer or Valley and does NOT serve to replace car trips in that area. And now SDOT (Seriously Deficient On Traffic) wants to EXPAND the trolley/streetcar network to West Seattle and other neighborhoods. PLEASE, SDOT, stop trying to help!

  • PSPS February 26, 2008 (3:38 pm)

    They also have these signs on southbound Aurora by the zoo as well as on southbound Elliott Avenue. The fact that they have to have these warning signs so far away from the viaduct is testament to the folly of any plan to demolish, even “temporarily,” the viaduct in the future.

  • Jill February 26, 2008 (5:53 pm)

    I saw this post before I left for the UW area, but I *still* got a little nervous when I saw the blinking lights on Fauntleroy. grr. Nevertheless, so glad I saw this beforehand. Thanks once again, WSB. Thanks also to chas for following up with the SDOT.

  • LA in the Junction February 26, 2008 (9:05 pm)

    I was one of the ones who saw the lights but no traffic mess, so crossed my fingers and kept on going. I’m glad I did, but it’s true — I’ll always be wondering if it’s “real” next time. But then again, the backup all the way to Fauntleroy and Alaska off the West Seattle Bridge might be a dead give-away if it is…

  • Al February 27, 2008 (9:07 am)

    WestwoodWriter – what does the SLUT have to do with the viaduct sign testing? And since you brought it up, transit DOES favor PEOPLE moving over car moving. That’t the point. So sorry your commute is slower by 5-7 minutes (oh no!). Mine is now faster by about 10, and I don’t drive to work. Thanks!

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