West Seattle, Washington
23 Saturday
The timing is coincidental but given this morning’s 20-years-later observance of bicyclist Marvin Miller‘s death, we wanted to mention a safety-spotlighting ride this Saturday (March 21), in case you hadn’t already seen it in our Event Calendar. West Seattle transportation-safety advocate Stu Hennessey has organized a ride “to get out and enjoy our growing bike-lane infrastructure.” The 24-mile route starts on the bike path behind the Chelan Café (3527 Chelan Avenue SW) – meet at 10:45 am – and heads along a route including Georgetown and downtown – the interactive route map is here.
Along with the Fauntleroy dock/terminal replacement project, Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route also will be getting a new building at the Southworth terminal.
(WSF photo of current Southworth dock/terminal)
Today WSF launched an online open house with information on design concepts and a survey seeking opinions. The Southworth dock has become increasingly busy as a hub for Kitsap Transit foot ferries too. The main question WSF is posing is, where on the Southworth dock to locate a new building, and it’s unveiled four options. Today through April 5, you can review them and answer a survey by going here. The timing on the WSF website suggests some potential overlap with the Fauntleroy project, though in this case they’re only replacing the Southworth terminal building in the first phase, with a dock trestle replacement in a later second phase.
Washington State Ferries’ trial balloon for a new pet policy will be floating a little longer. The changes, which started last August, have been extended to last at least until the end of the spring. That means passengers with leashed dogs will continue to be allowed in most public passenger areas until either modified rules are approved or the existing policy goes back into effect. For years, dogs outside of vehicles and carriers were limited to outdoor passenger areas, like shelter decks, which are unheated.
(A very good dog on the shelter deck, 2018)
At a WSF public meeting in January, WSF Assistant Secretary John Vezina said a permanent policy could be expected within a couple of weeks, but then WSF posted a travel alert bulletin earlier this week announcing the extension of the trial: “We will continue trialing an updated pet policy through spring 2026. Dogs on leashes are allowed in all passenger areas during this trial period, except onboard food galleys. Other pets must be in a crate or carrier. Service animals are welcome everywhere, as required by law. Livestock must stay in appropriate enclosures at all times. We are reviewing the trial policy and will provide an update on our pet policy before summer 2026.”
There are additional rules for dogs that at least partly mirror what’s expected of human passengers: No feet on the seats (big dogs stay on the floor and small ones on laps) and clean up after yourself. But crew can also direct dogs and their owners out of the passenger cabin to outside areas for behavior or safety issues.
You can give feedback on the trial policy here.
1:52 PM: After a two-day extension of the repair period, tonight’s the night that the Washington State Department of Transportation said it expected to reopen the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge. So rather than waiting to see if it happens, we asked WSDOT spokesperson RB McKeon if things were still on schedule (particularly given today’s snow). Yes, McKeon replied, saying “we are still on track to reopen the First Avenue S bridge by 11:59 pm tonight.” While all lanes are expected to be open after this first phase of repairing damaged steel plates, WSDOT has said the speed limit across the NB bridge will remain at 25 mph while they get ready to replace some of those plates sometime next month. We’ll update this story when the bridge reopens.
3:43 PM: And just in from WSDOT: “All lanes on the northbound State Route 99 First Avenue South Bridge have reopened with a reduced speed limit of 25 mph after five days of emergency repairs. On-ramps to northbound SR 509 and SR 99 also have reopened in the area.”
P.S. No date yet for the April repair closure.
Metro is out with specifics on which bus routes will be affected by the twice-yearly “service change” starting March 28. One big change systemwide: All-door boarding on all buses (explained here). As for other changes, we’ve already mentioned that changes will be required as buses are rerouted off SW Barton to prepare for that street’s repaving project. Those constitute all but one of the West Seattle changes we’re seeing; no routes with added or reduced trips this time. So here’s how the changes are described:
ROUTE 21
Route 21 will be on a long-term re-route due to construction and will not serve stops on SW Barton St between 35th Ave SW and 26th Ave SW, it will instead operate on SW Trenton St. Southbound trips will end at a new temporary stop at SW Barton St & 25th Ave SW (stop #39977). Northbound trips will begin at 25th Ave SW & SW Barton St (stop #39990).
RAPIDRIDE C LINE
RapidRide C Line will be on a long-term re-route due to construction and will not serve stops on SW Barton St between 35th Ave SW and 26th Ave SW, it will instead operate on SW Trenton St. Southbound trips will serve the stop at 35th Av SW and SW Barton St (stop #22580) and end at 25th Ave SW & SW Henderson St (stop #39981). Northbound trips will begin at 25th Ave SW & SW Barton St (stop #39990) and continue to serve existing stops.
Also, unrelated to the Barton project:
ROUTE 128
The first and last stop for Route 128 in West Seattle will be relocated from southbound California Ave SW & SW Hill St to southbound California Ave SW & SW College St (stop #32371).
One last local note in the service-change announcement – a reminder that the West Seattle Water Taxi starts its summer schedule on April 11; Metro says it’ll publish that schedule soon.
We’re almost through day 1 of the three-day closure of the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge. Since buses do usually use the bridge, some readers were wondering why no reroute advisory had appeared. We asked Metro, whose spokesperson Jeff Switzer explains:
Routes 113, 131 and 132 are rerouted during the state’s emergency work; however, buses continue to serve every one of the bus stops for these routes and no bus stops are missed.
In this situation, we don’t issue a transit alert as, from the riders’ perspective, there isn’t an impact to where they board or exit. We appreciate riders’ patience while we reroute around this important emergency work.
Overview
131 and 132: Regular route southbound from Downtown Seattle to Burien Transit Center; switches to the South Park Bridge traveling northbound from Burien to Downtown Seattle.
113: Regular route to Shorewood from Downtown Seattle; switches to the South Park Bridge traveling to Downtown Seattle from 26th Avenue SW/SW 116th Street
This closure is supposed to end by 8 pm Wednesday (March 11), at which time all northbound lanes will be open, though the temporary 25 mph speed limit will continue. A longer repair closure is expected next month, and a full bridge deck replacement next year.
That’s an aerial view of the trouble zone on the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge, where the discovery of cracks in the bridge deck’s steel grates led to a 2-lane closure two weeks ago and, as announced Wednesday, will require a full replacement of the deck next year. In the meantime, a three-day northbound closure for stabilization work is planned next week, and we asked some followup questions today. The bridge is state-owned, so the Washington State Department of Transportation is responsible for it, and WSDOT spokesperson RB McKeon handled our questions.
The state inspects its bridges at least every two years, and this one would have had its regular 2-year checkup later this year, after a “fair” rating in 2024. But a crew was out looking at it in mid-February and discovered the cracks, making the decision to remove traffic from the two right lanes.
How will traffic be routed away from the NB bridge for next week’s Monday through Wednesday closure? McKeon replied:
During next week’s closure, all northbound SR 99 traffic will exit at South Cloverdale Street, cross the Duwamish River on 14th Avenue South and then travel north on East Marginal Way South, which reconnects with SR 99 north of the bridge closure.
The following on-ramps also will close from 3 a.m. Monday, March 9, through 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 11:
-First Avenue South to northbound SR 509
-West Marginal Way South to northbound SR 99
-Occidental Avenue South to northbound SR 99The First Avenue South Bridge Trail also will close from 5 a.m. Monday, March 9, through 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, for bridge repairs. Cyclists and pedestrians must follow a signed detour using the Duwamish Trail to the 14th Avenue South Bridge, where they can cross the Duwamish River then head north on East Marginal Way South to reconnect with SR 99.
Next week’s work will be one by WSDOT bridge-maintenance crews; the April work to replace 9 panels will be done by a contractor who hasn’t yet been chosen. The replacement panels are being made by Mission Critical Solutions in Pennsylvania, as part of Phase 2 repairs projected to cost $1.7 million. The timeline for that work is expected to be available in early April, McKeon told us, and they’ll be looking at the possibility of working during full weekend closures and/or nights to “minimize impact to travelers.” How Phase 2 will affect maritime use of the Duwamish River in that spot isn’t yet settled; WSDOT will talk with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Phase 3 – the full northbound deck replacement – is still in planning, but WSDOT expects to send it out for bidding in December. In the meantime, again, next week’s full northbound closure is from 5 a.m. Monday, March 9, through 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 11.
(WSB photo, Tuesday)
When WSDOT closed two lanes of the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge after an inspection revealed problems 2+ weeks ago, an update was promised by this Friday. Today, we have it – a repair plan starting with a three-day closure next Monday through Wednesday, and longer closures to come. Here’s the announcement from WSDOT:
The Washington State Department of Transportation will begin temporary repairs on the northbound State Route 99 First Avenue South bridge during a three-day closure of all northbound lanes from 5 a.m. Monday, March 9, through 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 11. Two lanes of the bridge were closed Feb. 18 after a bridge inspection identified cracks in the steel deck grates of the bridge in Seattle.
This repair effort is structured in three phases:
-Immediate stabilization and reopening of all northbound lanes
-Limited grate replacement in mid-to-late April
-Full northbound deck replacement in 2027The first phase of repairs must take place during daytime hours for both safety and efficiency. The temporary repair will allow all northbound lanes to reopen with a temporary speed limit reduction to 25 mph. The speed reduction will remain in place until the second phase of the repair is complete.
Phase 1: Stabilizing the bridge now (March 9-11)
During the March 9-11 full northbound closure, crews will modify existing grated panels and install steel plates over the cracked grates to restore safe vehicle access across all lanes. Welding and reinforcement work will strengthen the most affected sections of the bridge deck.
The temporary steel plating and reduced speed limit are intended to reduce stress on the deck and provide safe passage across the bridge until permanent grate replacements are installed.
This closure will occur immediately following a full weekend closure of northbound and southbound I-405 in Bothell on March 7-8. The sequencing reflects the urgency of the bridge repairs and the limited window available to complete the work before another full weekend closure of I-405 scheduled for March 13-16.
The bridge will remain operational for marine traffic but closed to vehicles during these repairs. Travelers will need to use alternate routes such as I-5 and I-405.
Phase 2: Replacing nine failing panels before summer (Starting mid-to-late April)
The next phase involves full replacement of nine steel grate panels inspectors deemed in the worst condition. Manufacturing these panels is underway and is expected to take approximately six weeks, with installation scheduled to begin as soon as they are delivered. This work will also require a full northbound closure of the First Avenue South bridge. This work is expected to start in mid-to-late April pending panel delivery and U.S. Coast Guard coordination.
WSDOT is executing an emergency contract and will work closely with the selected contractor to maximize efficiency while minimizing impact to travelers. An updated timeline will be shared in early April before work begins. WSDOT and the contractor will consider a series of full weekend closures as well as options for night work.
The goal is to complete the replacement of these nine panels before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in June, when hundreds of thousands of spectators will visit the greater Puget Sound region. Completing this work now ensures that SR 99 remains a viable route during a period when the transportation system will be in high demand.
Once this phase is complete, all northbound lanes will reopen at normal speeds.
Phase 3: Long term preservation work in development (2027)
Design is underway for a full replacement of the northbound bridge deck, with construction expected in 2027. This project will address broader needs and will require more substantial coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and regional partners. More information will be shared on this phase of the project in early 2027.
About the First Avenue South bridge
The First Avenue South bridge is a moveable, double-leaf bascule bridge spanning the Duwamish River. Like a drawbridge, its two sections lift from the center to allow marine traffic to pass. When closed, the two halves meet to carry vehicles, transit and freight.
Because the bridge both moves and carries heavy daily traffic, it includes mechanical systems and specialized steel deck components that require ongoing maintenance and inspection. Areas near the center of the span experience the greatest stress. During its last full inspection, the bridge was rated in fair condition.
The First Avenue South bridge is part of a statewide bridge system with infrastructure operating beyond its intended service life. WSDOT often extends the life of these bridges through targeted repairs while larger preservation projects are being developed. That approach allows structures to remain in service, but it also means that when conditions change, crews must act quickly and sometimes close lanes or structures in the interest of public safety. Each time WSDOT must take this action highlights the critical need for investment in the preservation of our transportation system. Governor Ferguson proposed a $2.1 billion investment in preservation including $1.1 billion for bridges.
The bridge served as the main detour route across the Duwamish River when the West Seattle Bridge – which is a city-owned structure – closed 2020-2022.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The next major West Seattle repaving project is on SW Barton, but many of the questions/concerns at tonight’s online community meeting were about SW Trenton – which is where buses will be rerouted.
The meeting led by SDOT and Metro reps is the one promised last year when the project was postponed and a planned in-person meeting was scrapped. It also underscored the fact that this will not be a simple or short project – the work required to build new pavement panels in concrete between 26th SW and 29th SW is expected to start sometime in April and last until sometime in fall. But because April is so close to Metro’s twice-yearly service change, the bus-routing changes will kick in starting Saturday, March 28:
and will require restriping of SW Barton in the project zone, as well as bus-zone signage and curb stripes on SW Trenton. SDOT also will move the “stop bar” on Trenton at 35th, for cars headed west.
Barton will have one traffic lane each way, on the north side of the street, between 26th SW and 29th SW. Village Green West Seattle (WSB sponsor) residents voiced concerns about access to their complex; besides offering general reassurances, the facilitators said a separate meeting is planned next week at Village Green to address any specific concerns and questions.
But the biggest concerns, as is often the case when a project happens in an area that is used by people coming far away, were about how the rerouting and parking changes will affect the many non-residents who use SW Trenton for both Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex and Westwood Village access – particularly the athletic complex, which is a regional hub for sports. Not just schools, but the West Seattle Junction FC and Rhodies FC will be playing there again this summer too. That means traffic, parking, and people crossing SW Trenton. And what about businesses in the vicinity along 35th? the project team was asked. They promised more extensive flyering.
“We’re trying not to make this a headache for anyone,” insisted one of the consultants who helped transportation reps facilitate. And toward that end, Metro’s rep promised they would be monitoring “closely … at least for the first two weeks” to be sure the changes were working out as expected.
Here’s the rerouting as summarized on the project page:
Route 21 to Westwood Village: Travelling south on 35th Ave SW, before turning east onto SW Trenton St, then turning south onto 25th Ave SW.
Route 21 buses leaving Westwood Village (southbound) will turn from 35th Ave SW onto SW Trenton St. The bus will continue traveling east on SW Trenton St, with three more stops:
SW Trenton St east of 35th Ave SW
SW Trenton St at either 29th or 30th Ave SW
SW Trenton St just west of 25th Ave SW, on the north end of Westwood VillageRapid Ride C-Line to Westwood Village: Travelling from SW Barton, turning north onto 35th Ave SW, then east onto SW Trenton St, and will continue travelling east on SW Trenton St, with three stops:
35th Ave SW and SW Trenton St
Between 29/30th Ave SW Trenton St
The last stop will come after turning southbound on 25th Ave SW, just south of SW Henderson St.
Leaving Westwood Village on the Rapid Ride C-Line or Rt. 21Catch the Rapid Ride C-Line or Rt. 21 bus toward downtown Seattle at the southbound bus stop on 25th Ave SW just north of SW Barton St (at the southeast corner of Westwood village)
Also surfaced to the project team: Collision history and speeding on 35th, and one other concern that didn’t have to do with traffic or buses: The Roxhill Bog revival project (recently celebrated with an event at the park). Since part of this project is described as keeping peat beneath the road from continuing to destabilize it, is there a chance it will interfere with the work done to revive the bog? asked a Village Green resident.
The project team said they’d had “several meetings” about it and had assurances that their work “shouldn’t affect the bog in any long-term way.”
They promised a recording of the hour-long meeting will be published; we’ve also requested the full slide deck and hope to add that when we receive it on Tuesday. They don’t have an exact construction start date yet, saying a contractor had just been brought on board.
ADDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: Here’s the full slide deck from the meeting.
(Friday photo of Fauntleroy ferry at sunset, by Joshua Crowgey)
Starting tomorrow (Sunday, March 1st), Washington State Ferries will start charging a new fee on card transactions, as ordered by state legislators. If you haven’t heard about it already, here’s the summary from WSF leader Steve Nevey in the latest weekly newsletter:
Starting in three days on Sunday, March 1, a 3% cost recovery surcharge will be added to all credit and debit card purchases. The Washington State Legislature directed this change (RCW 47.60.860) so the state can recover the cost of processing card payments. The 3% recovery fee applies to all in-person, kiosk and online fare purchases, including single-ride, multi-ride, and ReValue tickets. It also covers no-show fees for vehicle reservations and carpool and vanpool permits. The cost recovery surcharge does not apply to fees for memorial services, annual business accounts or promotional activities like tabletops and film or photo shoots. Customers can avoid the recovery fee by paying with cash or by using a preloaded ORCA card. If a card transaction is refunded, the 3% surcharge will also be refunded. See our ticket information page for a full list of accepted payment options.
One reader told us they thought fees like this couldn’t be charged on debit-card transactions; WSF explains that they aren’t able to process debits, so debit cards are charged as credit cards and will include the fee.
SDOT says it’s finalized the plan for seven blocks of new sidewalks and walkways in Highland Park, five months after proposing which blocks would go into “conceptual design.” The orange lines above show the final decisions – which removed several blocks from last October’s proposal. Now a block of Cloverdale is removed, and the 8th and 7th sidewalks/walkways will end at Thistle instead of stretching north to Kenyon. City reps walked the area with local residents in May, to help determine where to improve walking routes with Seattle Transportation Levy money. See the final report here; it includes notes on other traffic-calming features, as well as this:
In most cases, sidewalk or walkway will be designed on one side of the street. Sidewalks and walkways may be constructed from a variety of materials including paint, asphalt, concrete and barriers. Specific design treatments are decided based on factors including the space available on the street, drainage needs, existing infrastructure, impacts to parking, slopes, and estimated construction costs. Projects will be in construction between 2026 and 2029.
That’s what SDOT is proposing to address longstanding concerns aired three weeks ago at a community meeting about RV parking on 16th SW alongside South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), The map was explained in this announcement from SDOT’s Mike Estey, who was one of the city reps at the meeting:
… At the meeting, many residents described the RV’s parking and clustering for long periods of time despite efforts to enforce existing parking rules and regulations, and in the wake of multiple formal RV remediation and cleanup efforts that have had little success in providing any lasting, sustainable changes. Representatives of the College echoed those concerns and also described the importance of reliable access to on-street parking for students.
As an outcome of the meeting, SDOT agreed to look at potential updates to curb management and installing new signs along 16th Avenue SW to further discourage long-term use by RV’s. In particular, SDOT is considering the following:
“No Parking, 11 pm – 5 am” signs on the east side of 16th Avenue SW between SW Morgan St to the south and SW Findlay St to the north
4-hour daytime time-limited parking on the west side of 16th Avenue SW for this same stretch
Please see the map and graphics for reference.
These new parking restrictions would apply to all vehicles, not just RV’s. Those parked in violation of the newly signed rules would be subject to enforcement.
Because SDOT’s experience is generally that similar RV issues tend to occur less frequently adjacent to residential properties, and because the daytime time limits may have unintended impacts adjacent to residential properties on the west side of 16th Ave SW, SDOT is inclined to start with the overnight “no parking” signs on the east side, monitor their effectiveness, and then determine whether the west-side restrictions are still advisable.
Before implementing these changes, we would appreciate knowing if you have any questions, comments or concerns. Please email curbspace@seattle.gov to share any such comments. Depending on comments received, SDOT currently intends moving forward with any potential parking adjustments in April.
So what does SSC support? This statement was included in the email to neighbors that began with the SDOT announcement above:
College Decision on Signage: South Seattle College has asked the City of Seattle to move forward with parking restriction signage on the college side of 16th Ave SW after gathering perspective from neighbors and the college community. In the attached proposal you’ll find SDOT’s recommendation for signage on the west side of 16th, opposite college grounds, as well.
As a community college guided by our mission to make higher education accessible for all, we see this as a step toward ensuring students and employees who chose not to pay for parking on campus can still find close parking and easy, safe access to the college from 16th Ave SW.
We came to this decision based on concern for access and safety for those who learn and work at the college, and from the experiences and concerns shared by our neighbors. We appreciate the City of Seattle’s continued efforts to provide support and services to the unhoused community while exploring new options for long-term vehicle parking.
Follow-up on Campus Parking: During our community conversation in early February, the idea of the college making parking free on campus came up. South Seattle College charges parking fees based on Washington Administrative Code 132F-116-062, which states, in part, that “Fees collected from the sale of parking permits shall be used to help offset the expenses of the district’s commute trip reduction program, to help maintain the parking facilities at each campus, and to assist with funding of the positions necessary to enforce these parking rules and regulations, and other purposes deemed appropriate.”
These fees are critical for the college’s ability to subsidize ORCA Cards for students and employees who use public transportation, maintain our parking lots, and pay our public safety employees’ salaries.
The 11 pm-5 am signage option would be identical to what SDOT did in 2023 along most of Harbor Avenue, which has been mostly devoid of RVs ever since. The “daytime 4 hours” signage would be what SDOT did on SW Trenton by Westwood Village in 2024 with similar results, though the occasional RV turns up.
ADDED 9 PM: We drove this stretch of 16th tonight. Three trailers/RVs, compared to 10 around the day of the meeting three weeks ago.
(WSB file photo)
Thanks to HPAC co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick for the tip. SDOT has scheduled an online public meeting March 4 for the most controversial West Seattle project on their drawing board, the plan to convert the outside downhill lane on the Highland Park Way hill to a multi-use path. The possibility of rechannelizing the hill – which was a busy detour route during the West Seattle Bridge closure – first came up in the 2010s, then went on hold in 2020, then turned up again in a city application for federal funding in 2022, and then moved onto the path toward finalization a year ago despite loud opposition. SDOT recently told WSB that construction is at least a year away; the department says it’ll have design updates at the March 4 meeting, which is scheduled to start at 5 pm, and will be at this Zoom link.
(Reader-contributed file photo)
Since Wednesday night, we’ve been reporting on WSDOT‘s closure of two northbound lanes on the 1st Avenue South Bridge after inspectors found problems that need to be repaired. Thursday’s followup included a WSDOT promise of an update March 6. The question: Why not until then, and would the lanes remain closed until then? Here’s how spokesperson RB McKeon responded:
Our bridge engineers and inspectors need some time to analyze what they found in the field, develop recommendations, scope, timeline, source materials, etc… We believe that two weeks is a reasonable timeframe for us to be able to do that work and then come back to the public with additional information. To be clear, March 6 is the date we have indicated that we will come back to the public to share updates. We have not indicated that the lanes will reopen on March 6. As noted in yesterday’s updates, it is too early to outline a repair plan or timeline, but crews are actively working to determine next steps and will share updates by March 6. The lane closures are in place until bridge inspectors have determined the lanes are safe to reopen.
The bridge is two separate structures; the northbound side was built in 1956, 40 years before the southbound side. It served as a major detour route to get across the Duwamish River while the West Seattle Bridge was closed for two and a half years 2020-2022.
3:20 PM: No word yet on whatever inspectors found that led to the closure of two lanes across the 1st Avenue South Bridge overnight, as reported here. We asked WSDOT for details; a spokesperson told us, “Our bridge engineers are on site today doing further assessments, after which we should be able to provide an update.” They also have opened the HOV lane to all traffic, in hopes that will reduce the potential for backups, though at “reduced speeds of 25 MPH over the bridge.” The bridge is a state-owned structure that was put to use as the major bridge across the Duwamish River during the two and a half years the West Seattle Bridge was out of service 2020-2022. It’s actually two bridges of different ages – the northbound side is older, built 70 years ago (lots of background in this story we published in 2020).
4:35 PM: More info just in from WSDOT. What the inspectors initially found, they tell WSB, was “concerns with the steel grid bridge deck. … Bridge engineers are on site conducting a more detailed assessment. It is too early to outline a repair plan or timeline, but crews are actively working to determine next steps and will share updates by March 6th.” The update we received in response to followup questions also says:
Like many structures across the system, it requires ongoing maintenance and targeted repairs to remain in service. The last significant repairs to this bridge occurred in 2020, when 14 deck panels were replaced. This lane reduction closure highlights the critical need for investment in preservation of our transportation system. Governor Ferguson proposed a $2.1 billion investment in preservation including $1.1 billion for bridges.
As for what this means if you use the bridge, WSDOT reiterates:
To protect public safety, two right lanes are closed and speed in the open lanes has been reduced to 25 mph. The HOV lane is open to all traffic until further notice to help maintain capacity. The bridge remains open and operational, including for maritime traffic, and vessel openings will continue as needed.
People traveling through the area should expect significant and ongoing delays, especially northbound into Seattle. These impacts come on top of existing lane reductions on I-5, which continue to affect regional travel.
6:31 PM: WSDOT has now issued a news release with more details on what we reported above, and a bit more background on the bridge’s most-recent challenges.
Starting Monday (February 23), you’ll be able to use more than just an ORCA card on most regional transit services if you want to “tap to pay.” Here’s the announcement we received today:
On February 23, ORCA is launching a new Tap to Pay feature allowing riders to use credit and debit cards, and digital wallets, to pay for transit across the Puget Sound region.
Riders can simply tap their contactless Visa, Mastercard, Discover® Network, or American Express credit or debit cards, or cards in digital wallets, using Apple Pay™, Google Pay™, or Samsung Pay™ to ride. This new feature expands access to public transportation and supports seamless travel experiences for both daily riders and visitors alike.
This new feature also comes as Seattle and the Puget Sound region prepare to host several large events in 2026. With many international visitors expected to travel across the region, Tap to Pay simplifies transit and aligns with global expectations for convenient payment options. …
How the new Tap to Pay feature works:
Riders can pay for transit with most contactless-enabled credit or debit cards with a contactless symbol, or with digital credit or debit cards via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, by tapping their cards or smart devices on ORCA card readers.
ORCA cards will still be issued and accepted across the region on buses, trains, and ferries. ORCA cards continue to provide the most cost-effective, convenient benefits for many riders across the region, especially those enrolled in free or reduced fare programs such as ORCA LIFT, Senior RRFP, Disabled RRFP, Youth, and those with employer or organization sponsored ORCA cards.
Contactless payments through ORCA are not accepted on:
Seattle Monorail
Washington State Ferries
King County Metro DART, Community Vans, Metro Flex
Community Transit DART, Zip Shuttle
Pierce Transit SHUTTLE, Pierce Transit Runner
Everett Transit ParatransitSome of these services may offer other ways to pay using contactless payments outside of the ORCA system. Tap to Pay will soon be available on Kitsap Transit Fast Ferries, Foot Ferries, and King County Water Taxi.
Riders paying with contactless credit or debit cards are charged an adult fare and will still receive the ORCA 2-hour transfer window benefit, allowing for seamless transfers across Puget Sound, as they do today.
Riders cannot receive discounts (Senior, Youth, ORCA LIFT, Disabled) or passes. Riders with ORCA cards that receive discounts are encouraged to keep tapping their existing ORCA cards.
Customers will not be able to pay for multiple riders or groups using one card or device. Every rider will need their own payment method.
Cards need to be tapped directly on the ORCA card readers. Riders should remove physical cards from their wallets before tapping to avoid unwanted charges on other cards or tap failures.
If you have both an ORCA card and a credit or debit card in Google Wallet™, the card reader should default to charging your digital ORCA card when tapped. If you wish to use a digital credit or debit card, select that form of payment on your smart device before tapping.
For Apple Pay users with Express Mode enabled, riders can simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a card reader to ride transit across the Puget Sound Region — without having to unlock or wake up their device. And with power reserve, if their iPhone needs to be charged, they can still use it to ride transit.
Riders who tap with a contactless payment method may be subject to fare inspection on some services. Fare inspectors will not scan credit or debit cards; however, they will ask Tap to Pay riders to share the last 4 digits of their card number to confirm fare was paid. This allows fare inspectors to input the last 4 digits of the card used to confirm that the fare transaction occurred. More information on how fare inspection will work can be found here: https://info.myorca.com/contactless/#fareinspection
ORCA cards remain the best option for many, but this enhancement to the ORCA Product suite makes riding transit easier than ever for all types of riders.
Learn more at info.myORCA.com/contactless
11:59 AM: Thanks to Gregg for the report – the Admiral Way protected-bike-lane upgrade work on the hill north of the West Seattle Bridge is under way today. Less than a week ago, we reported SDOT‘s confirmation of what’s being done here:
The existing bike lanes on Admiral Way between Spokane and Lander will be upgraded with concrete pre-cast curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.
We are not proposing to change the current lane or curb space configurations. The upgrade is intended to improve safety for people biking uphill and reduce instances of vehicles parking in the bike lane.
We’ll check in on the progress later this afternoon.
2:59 PM: WSB’s Macey Wurm went to the work zone for photographs, and reports that the crew wasn’t expected to finish the work today (above, see the pre-cast curbs that are being installed) but is likely to finish up this weekend. In the meantime, while they’re there, be aware of temporary lane reduction in the work zone.
A week and a half ago, when SDOT released its draft plan for spending Seattle Transportation Levy money this year, we went through it and listed the notable West Seattle mentions. However, many were so brief, they required followup to ask “OK, you’ve listed a project at (location), but what exactly are you planning there?” We then sent our followup questions to SDOT, and the answers arrived today. What’s below, verbatim, are the questions we asked, most under the title of the report section in which we found them, and – in italics – SDOT’s verbatim answers:
VISION ZERO
1) Highland Park Way (downhill lane conversion) is listed in two places as (in) design this year. So construction will NOT start before 2027?
The 2026 Levy Delivery Plan highlights key milestones anticipated this year. Highland Park Way is listed both in Protected Bike Lanes and Vision Zero Corridor Projects in the 2026 Levy Delivery Plan. For Highland Park Way, design work continues in 2026. Construction is currently anticipated to begin early 2027. As with all projects, schedules may adjust as design advances.
2) California/Oregon is listed as a VZ project, with construction this year. What exactly is planned there?
This Vision Zero project will add raised, durable centerline treatments that help slow turning vehicles and make movements through the intersection more predictable, improving safety for everyone using the intersection.
(We’re following up to ask exactly where the “raised centerline” will be.)
3) Another VZ project is “West Seattle Bridge central eastbound span.” What exactly is planned, and where exactly is that?
This project focuses on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, as drivers head toward downtown. We will relocate and replace signs to better clarify lane assignments where the bus-only lane begins. The project will also add reflectors to the center concrete barrier to improve visibility, particularly in low-light conditions.
TRAFFIC CALMING
Harbor Ave from California to Spokane. This stretch already has a variety of things, medians, for example, and tons of speed bumps. What is planned now, and where?
This project will build on the existing traffic-calming measures along Harbor Avenue between California and Spokane. Planned improvements include additional speed cushions, new painted median islands, narrowed travel lanes in select areas, updated curve-warning signs, and a new flashing beacon at the existing crosswalk near the water taxi terminal.
FAUNTLEROY/ROSE
This much-awaited crossing improvement is listed in two spots as just “design” this year. So no construction before 2027?
For the Fauntleroy/Rose crossing, design is underway in 2026, and construction is currently anticipated to occur later in 2026. As with all projects, timing may adjust as design advances.
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
California/Erskine/Edmunds. What exactly is planned there? that’s a three-street intersection that has long been the source of complaints.
This project will rebuild the traffic signal at California/Erskine/Edmunds. Work will include new signal poles signal heads, upgraded push buttons with audible features, and rebuilding any curb ramps or sidewalks affected by the work. Construction is planned to begin in 2026.
This upgrade is intended to improve visibility, reliability, and accessibility at the intersection.
NEW SIGNAL
California/Walker
currently a fire signal. will that become a full traffic signal, or …
Yes — the existing fire signal at California/Walker will be replaced with a new, full traffic signal. The project includes Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) push buttons with audible features, as well as new ADA-compliant curb ramps at the intersection. The project is currently in design, with construction anticipated to begin in 2026.
PBL (PROTECTED BIKE LANE) UPGRADE
Admiral Way , Spokane to Lander. Will that be an actual protected BL now, like concrete barrier?
Yes. The existing bike lanes on Admiral Way between Spokane and Lander will be upgraded with concrete pre-cast curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.curbs to provide physical separation between people biking and vehicle traffic.
We are not proposing to change the current lane or curb space configurations. The upgrade is intended to improve safety for people biking uphill and reduce instances of vehicles parking in the bike lane.
PEOPLE STREETS
What stretches of those streets (18th and Lander were mentioned without other specifics)?
The improvements are planned for two locations:
-SW Lander Street, from west of California Avenue SW to the alley
-18th Avenue SW, between Delridge Way SW and SW Barton Street
FREIGHT
Derelict rail removal on West Marginal Way – which one(s)?
The proposed rail removal is near the 4500 block of West Marginal Way SW, just south of the Duwamish Trail pedestrian crossing at the T-105 entrance.
Removing the unused rail will improve the roadway surface and reduce uneven pavement conditions that can create safety concerns for people driving, biking, or crossing the street.
OVERALL QUESTION ABOUT SIDEWALK REPAIRS
5,000 are mentioned. I assume this is where crews show up and do quick shims, beveling, etc. How are the 5,000 being chosen? If not already scheduled out, any community input needed? How does SDOT discern between “hey property owner, YOU need to fix your sidewalk” which can be a heavy price to pay, and “hey, we’ll show up and fix your sidewalk”?
Yes — the approximately 5,000 spot repairs include quick enhancements such as shims and beveling to reduce tripping hazards.
Locations are selected by:
-Shims are typically installed in response to community requests. When someone reports a sidewalk issue, it generates a work order that is assigned directly to our Street Maintenance crews.
-Beveling is planned each year. Crews work in geographic “grids” and prioritize areas with higher pedestrian activity.
-Recent beveling focused on downtown and nearby neighborhoods in advance of major events, including the FIFA Men’s World Cup.When a request comes in for a more permanent sidewalk repair, we evaluate the location to determine responsibility:
-If the damage is caused by a privately owned tree, the property owner is notified and is responsible for completing the permanent repair.
-If the damage is caused by an SDOT-owned tree, the location is added to SDOT’s sidewalk repair project list for future construction.
In both cases, we typically install a shim as a temporary safety enhancement.
As noted previously, this is just from this year’s levy spending plan – other projects will be in the spending plans for each of its upcoming years, and other projects are in SDOT’s general budget.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This afternoon’s Sound Transit Board System Expansion Committee meeting had two items of note for those watching the West Seattle Link Extension plan, still on record as pointed toward a 2032 launch. The question is, what will the plan look like once the staff and board are finished trying to reshape it into “affordability”? The process aimed at answering that question, the Enterprise Initiative, was the subject of another briefing at this afternoon’s committee meeting.
Before that was discussed, the first item of interest was another real-estate acquisition – a residential property on Pigeon Point. Not because it’s needed soon for planning/construction, but because, according to agenda documents, its owners have “medical circumstances” requiring them to sell soon, but because of the looming light-rail project, the agency says, nobody else will buy it. The board already has approved a couple other such purchases, and the committee sent this one on to the full board for approval (along with another in the Ballard project area), though with reservations voiced by Dan Strauss, the Seattle City Councilmember who sits on the ST Board – he revived a topic brought up with previous acquisitions, concerns about ST just letting the properties sit empty for years; apparently a policy change is in the works that might allow a different use for such properties, but not quickly enough to alleviate the concerns Strauss voiced.
Then it was on to the Enterprise Initiative briefing. The next major milestone is the development of “scenarios” for the full board to discuss at its retreat in March, so they can finalize an “updated ST3 system plan” by midyear.
ST’s Brad Owen told the committee that they’re now evaluating more than 600 “opportunities” for getting the full ST system plan close to something realistic.
The “takeaways” from that work included another warning that project phasing or even deferrals might be required.
And as has been the case at previous briefings, they again discussed possible cuts/changes as “levers” of different levels that could be pulled. Then Owen presented examples of possible levers at each level, such as, in the West Seattle project, dropping the Avalon station.
This, he said, would have “no notable effect on ridership” and would mean fewer property acquisitions, a more direct route from Delridge to The Junction, less impact on sites of concern like Longfellow Creek and the West Seattle Health Club property, with up to almost half a billion dollars in savings. (No new total project-cost estimate was mentioned at this meeting.)
Board approval would be needed for that or any other top level “lever” proposed – and keep in mind, what was presented today (here’s the full slide deck) was just a set of examples, not a formal proposal. And the West Seattle project isn’t the only one they’re reviewing for cuts – in addition to Ballard, there are Tacoma and Everett Link Extensions in planning, as well as Sounder and ST Express Bus projects discussed at today’s meeting. (Added: Here’s the meeting video.)
WHAT’S NEXT: The full board generally gets discussion items like this at its next meeting after committee briefings; that will be two weeks from today, on Thursday, February 26 – watch here for the agenda.
Another update from Washington State Ferries – the two-boat schedule will continue on the Fauntleroy-Southworth-Vashon route at least two more weekday:
At least one more day for the two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route, per Washington State Ferries:
The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is running the two-boat schedule through Wednesday, Feb. 11. The Salish is currently running as a third, unscheduled vessel to help move additional traffic and help keep the #1 and #2 vessels on time. We’re working on a service plan for the rest of the week, and we’ll send updated schedule information as soon as it’s available.
WSF also of course is bracing for increased ridership on many routes tomorrow, and says, “To support increased traffic, we’re also adding crewing to many of our vessels and terminals during the day.::
Planning to take the West Seattle Water Taxi to get downtown for Wednesday’s Seahawks victory parade? Not only will the boat(s) keep filling up, heading out, heading back, and repeating as often as it takes to get everyone across the bay (and, afterward, back), the Water Taxi shuttle buses will add service too. A spokesperson tells WSB, “West Seattle Water Taxi Shuttle routes 773 and 775 will have extra service on Wednesday 2/11/2026 between 8 AM and 4 PM for the Seahawks Victory Parade, with additional buses departing about 15 minutes after normally scheduled trips, as well as extra service between 9:00 am and 10:30 am.” The shuttle buses are free but the Water Taxi itself is not, so you’re reminded to be ready for that. Metro also is running shuttles downtown and has updated its parade-day-transit post with info on that. (Reminder that we’ll have extra coverage tomorrow morning too with transit/traffic info including updates from the Water Taxi dock at Seacrest.)
Thanks to Rick for the tip. People in the Westwood Village vicinity have received notice of an online community meeting about the upcoming work to repave SW Barton in the bus-layover zone, and that revealed the bus-reroute plan for the project – now expected to start in April – is already out. In short, SW Trenton will see most of the rerouted buses:
Route 21 to Westwood Village
Route 21 buses leaving Westwood Village (southbound) will turn from 35th Ave SW onto SW Trenton St.
The bus will continue traveling eastbound on SW Trenton St, with three more stops:
-SW Trenton St east of 35th Ave SW
-SW Trenton St at either 29th or 30th Ave SW
-SW Trenton St just west of 25th Ave SW, on the north end of Westwood VillageRapid Ride C-Line to Westwood Village
C-Line buses will turn off SW Barton onto 35th Ave SW (northbound), then travel eastbound on SW Trenton St.
The bus will continue travelling eastbound on SW Trenton St, with three stops:
-35th Ave SW and SW Trenton St
-Between 29/30th Ave SW Trenton St
-The last stop will come after turning southbound on 25th Ave SW, just south of SW Henderson St.Leaving Westwood Village on the Rapid Ride C-Line or Rt. 21
Catch the Rapid Ride C-Line or Rt. 21 bus toward downtown Seattle at the southbound bus stop on 25th Av SW just north of SW Barton St (at the southeast corner of Westwood Village):
(See the color-coded legend here.)
If you are driving a car in the area –
Roads will remain open for at least one lane at a time during construction. Access to driveways to the Westwood Village shopping center will remain open.
If you are walking or rolling on the sidewalk –
The sidewalk next to Roxhill Park will be closed during construction.
We first reported on the project in March of last year, when its environmental checklist appeared in a city bulletin. Those documents explained pipeline and peat-removal work that would be part of the project, which at the time was expected to happen last fall, repaving the longtime “layover” zone in concrete pavement meant to stand up better to heavy bus usage.
COMMUNITY MEETING: This is now set to be held online three weeks from tonight, at 6:30 pm Monday, March 2. Register here to get the link.
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