West Seattle traffic alerts 4822 results

Low bridge still closed to drivers, open to bicyclists and pedestrians, + other traffic/weather notes for Wednesday

6:03 AM: Again today, we begin with the reminder that the West Seattle low bridge remains closed to drivers (but open to people riding bicycles or walking/running/rolling):

No estimate yet how long it will be until SDOT finishes repairing “severe” crash damage to the gate and barrier at the edge of the east half of the low bridge (here’s our coverage of Saturday’s crash). Here’s SDOT’s newest update on the repairs.

This morning’s other notes:

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro buses today – Third weekday since the twice-yearly service change – West Seattle-area routes with changes are 60, 125, 131, and 132.

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule for both routes.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat.” Check for alerts here.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast: Cloudy, becoming sunny, high in the upper 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:51 am, while sunset will be at 7:13 pm. (The fall equinox is Sunday.)

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT, AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE

*SDOT has made one change in this week’s plan for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project, adding Thursday night work – we’ve updated here. Tonight: Eastbound left lanes closed 7 pm-6 am, 1st and 4th exits open.

Other projects:

*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*Beach Drive gas-line work continues.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east (this camera has been malfunctioning lately):

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

FOLLOWUP: Damaged barrier removed from still-closed-to-drivers West Seattle low bridge

(SDOT photo)

4:57 PM: An SDOT crew has removed the low-bridge barrier “severely damaged” when a suspected drunk driver hit it at high speed Saturday evening (here’s our report on the crash). As explained yesterday, that was an important next step so they could take it to the repair shop and evaluate it to see whether it can be fixed or needs to be replaced. Once they’ve done that, SDOT will be able to estimate when the bridge can reopen to drivers; bicyclists and pedestrians can use it, but people in motor vehicles can’t. In addition to the barrier, the gate-control panel and wiring were damaged too, and those are being worked on. Since the barrier’s gone, here’s what’s in place across the bridge instead:

(SDOT camera screenshot)

If any other updates emerge tonight, we’ll add them here.

7:28 PM: SDOT has published an update, including this:

If the repairs are not completed before the weekend, crews would continue working on repairs over the weekend and we would reduce the scale of work on the nearby Spokane St Viaduct paving project to make sure that people have access to get on the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge from SODO.

You can read more – and see more photos of the damaged barrier – here.

Also, SPD published a blotter post tonight about the crash – no new information beyond what we’ve already reported here, but some photos taken that night by responders are part of it.

West Seattle low-bridge still closed to drivers, and other traffic/transit/weather info for Tuesday

6:50 AM: Texter says 35th/Roxbury signal is malfunctioning.

Earlier:

6:01 AM: We start again with the reminder that the West Seattle low bridge remains closed to drivers (but open to people riding bicycles or walking/running/rolling):

SDOT says it’ll be closed at least several more days for repair of “severe” crash damage to the gate and barrier at the edge of the east half of the low bridge (here’s our coverage of Saturday’s crash). Here’s the latest on the repairs.

This morning’s other notes:

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro buses today – Second weekday since the twice-yearly service change on Saturday – West Seattle-area routes with changes are 60, 125, 131, and 132.

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule for both routes.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat.” Check for alerts here.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast: Rain on the way, high in the low 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:50 am, while sunset will be at 7:15 pm. (The fall equinox is Sunday!)

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT, AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE

*See this week’s plan for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project by going here. Tonight: Eastbound right lanes closed 7 pm-6 am, 1st and 4th exits open.

Other projects:

*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*Beach Drive gas-line work continues.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east (this camera has been malfunctioning lately):

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

FOLLOWUP: West Seattle low bridge expected to remain closed to drivers for at least several more days

(SDOT photo: ‘Bent and twisted mechanical gate arm with damaged linear driver motor, wiring, warning lights, and control panel’)

Two days after a suspected drunk driver crashed into the arm and gate at the edge of the West Seattle low bridge’s east half, the bridge remains closed to drivers, and repairs are expected to last at least “several days,” per an update we just received from SDOT. The crash Saturday night sent the driver and a passenger to the hospital; the bike/foot path on the bridge reopened to users on Sunday night, but the repairs required before it can reopen to drivers are more complex. Here’s tonight’s update from SDOT:

SDOT engineers and maintenance crews continue to make repairs necessary to reopen the Spokane Street Swing Bridge to cars and trucks. Crew members may not be visible onsite all the time because much of the manufacturing and repair work is conducted offsite.

The damaged metal gate at the end of the bridge must be removed and will either be replaced or rebuilt in our mechanical repair shop. The impact critically twisted and bent the main metal tube which is the backbone of the mechanical gate. The electronics, motor, and locking pin linear drive motor inside the metal tube were also damaged in the crash. All these components are essential for safe bridge operations.

Due to the complex and precise nature of the work, crews are unable to repair the gate in its present location. We plan to remove the gate arm tomorrow and take it to our repair shop where the motors and moving parts can be dismantled, evaluated and repaired if possible. At the same time, other crew members will be focusing on repairing the damaged gate control panel and wiring.

As an extra precaution, we are ordering replacement parts in case the gate and or its electrical and mechanical components can’t be repaired, or if a replacement turns out to be the quicker and better option. Many of these mechanical parts are highly specialized and complex components which are not readily available locally and we are still waiting for confirmation from the manufacturer of some of the components.

It is not safe for drivers to use the bridge without a safety gate. Additionally, there are electronic sensors inside the mechanical gates which act as safeguards and prevent the bridge from operating without a functional gate.

We do not know the exact timeline when the repairs will be completed but expect the repairs to take several days. We will continue to provide in-depth updates as repairs continue.

Though drivers can’t use it, the bridge – formally known as the SW Spokane Street Swing Bridge – is able to open for marine traffic. That’s what it was doing when the 25-year-old driver smashed into the gate at high speed on Saturday night.

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT: Here’s the closure plan for this week and next weekend (updated)

(Screenshot from SDOT camera looking west)

If you use the Spokane Street Viaduct – the extension of the West Seattle Bridge between State Route 99 and I-5 – you might be wondering about this week’s plan for closures related to the resurfacing project. We just obtained it from project spokesperson Dr. Matthew Howard:

Monday Night – 09/16/2024

EB Left Lanes Closure – 7:00pm to 6:00am
1st Ave S Off Ramp Open
4th Ave S Off Ramp Open

Tuesday Night – 09/17/2024

EB Right Lanes Closure – 7:00pm to 6:00am
1st Ave S Off Ramp Open
4th Ave S Off Ramp Open

Wednesday Night – 09/18/2024

EB Left Lanes Closure – 7:00pm to 6:00am
1st Ave S Off Ramp Open
4th Ave S Off Ramp Open

(updated) Thursday Night – 09/19/2024

EB Right Lanes Closure – 7:00pm to 6:00am
1st Ave S Off Ramp Open
4th Ave S Off Ramp Open

Friday Night Through Monday – 09/20/24 to 09/23/24

WB Full Lane Closures –10:00pm Friday to 4:00pm Saturday

WB S Spokane St Viaduct – Closed from I-5 Interchange to SR 99.
S Columbian Way Off Ramp to WB Spokane Viaduct – Closed. Ramp to Lower Spokane St will remain open.
NB I5 Off Ramp to WB Spokane Viaduct – Closed. Ramp to Lower Spokane St will remain open.
SB I5 Off Ramp to WB Spokane Viaduct – Closed. Ramp to S Columbian Way will remain open.
1st Ave S Off-Ramp – Closed.
1st Ave S On-Ramp – Closed.
Port of Seattle Terminals 5-18/Harbor Island/11th Ave SW Off-Ramp – Closed.
EB S Spokane Street Viaduct – All Lanes Open

EB Left Lanes Closure – 4:30pm Saturday to 6:00pm Saturday

1st Ave Off Ramp Open
4th Ave Off Ramp Closed
EB to NB SR-99 Ramp OPEN.

EB Full Closure – 6:00pm Saturday to 5:00am Monday

1st Ave Off Ramp Closed
4th Ave Off Ramp Closed
EB to NB SR-99 Ramp OPEN

Meantime, we’re awaiting an update on the low bridge – closed to drivers since Saturday night because of crash damage – and will publish that separately when we get it.

Low bridge still closed to drivers, and other traffic, transit, road work, weather info for Monday

6:00 AM: We start with a reminder that the West Seattle low bridge remains closed to drivers (but open to people on bikes or on foot):

To recap, the gate and barrier at the edge of the east half of the low bridge were “severely damaged,” as SDOT describes it, when a suspected DUI driver hit them at high speed Saturday evening (here’s our coverage of the crash). The low bridge has been closed to drivers ever since; the bike/foot path opened Sunday evening, but SDOT says the rest of the repairs will take at least a “few days.” (Read that update, with an important message for bike/foot path users, here.)

This morning’s other notes:

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro buses today – First weekday since the twice-yearly service change on Saturday – West Seattle-area routes with changes are 60, 125, 131, and 132.

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule for both routes.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. The “unscheduled third boat” is back.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast: Sunny today, high in the upper 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:48 am, while sunset will be at 7:18 pm. (The fall equinox is next Sunday!)

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT, AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE

*We’ll find out today what’s next for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project.

Other projects:

*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*Beach Drive gas-line work continues.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east (this camera has been malfunctioning lately):

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: West Seattle low bridge reopens to people on bikes and on foot; still closed to drivers, possibly for ‘days’

(SDOT camera screenshot, 1:50 pm)

2 PM: As we previously reported here, the West Seattle low bridge (aka Spokane Street Swing Bridge) has been closed to surface traffic – bicyclists and pedestrians as well as drivers – since a crash last night damaged one of its cross-bridge barriers. We’ve been asking SDOT for an update, and just received this from spokesperson Maribel Cruz:

Our crews have been on site since last night, working diligently to secure the area. Currently, the barrier remains down, and both our mechanical and electrical teams are conducting a comprehensive assessment of the damage. Early findings indicate damage to both the barrier and the mechanical housing, making it unlikely that the bridge will reopen today. We’re actively coordinating next steps and will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.

The driver smashed his car into the barrier as the bridge was opening for marine traffic just after 7 pm last night. He and a passenger were both taken to Harborview Medical Center; he was also reported by police as under arrest for investigation of DUI. We’ll update this story when we get more info from SDOT.

5:16 PM: No update from SDOT yet, but we notice via the live low-bridge camera that the bridge has been brought back into the “closed” position.

6:44 PM: Thanks for the tips. SDOT hadn’t been updating on X/Twitter but they did, it turns out, post that the low bridge is now open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Still closed to drivers. … We also have obtained more information about the crash investigation from police and have added it to the original story, including why the driver might face a gun-related charge.

9:13 PM: SDOT now says the low bridge might not reopen to drivers for at least a “few days.” The work done so far is what enabled the bridge to open for bicyclists and pedestrians – and ships will be able to request openings – but according to SDOT, “technicians do not expect to be able to reopen the bridge within the next few days and are continuing to develop a more exact timeline.” The department’s update explains that Saturday night’s “collision severely damaged the mechanical gate, lock mechanism, gate control panel, and sensors that are essential for safe bridge operations.” Also: “People may notice pedestrian signals will say ‘don’t walk’ even when the pedestrian gates are open and the bridge is properly locked in place for land travel. This is due to damaged sensors in the vehicle gate. The engineers are working to correct the signal issue, but rest assured it is safe for bicycles and pedestrians to cross when the pedestrian gates are open and there are no flashing lights or warning bells.”

TRAFFIC ALERT: West Seattle low bridge remains closed after crash (Sunday updates added)

7:14 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rescue extrication” response to the scene of a crash on the low bridge. Two people are reported hurt, and the bridge is blocked. Complicating matters, the bridge is currently in the “open” position, and the crash happened on the westbound side, which is the only direction from which emergency crews can access the scene.

7:18 PM: Dispatch has told responders that the driver, who’s being extricated, apparently “ran into the bridge as it was opening.” SDOT is sending a crew to check on whether that’s damaged the bridge. A passenger is already out of the car and is reported to be less seriously hurt.

7:28 PM: The low bridge “is probably going to be closed for quite some time,” police just told dispatch. Note that since the bridge is in the “open” position, it’s closed to bicyclists and pedestrians as well as to drivers.

7:35 PM: Police have also told dispatch they’ve arrested the driver for investigation of DUI; he’s reported to be in his 30s and will be taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries.

8:12 PM: With SFD’s departure, the traffic camera shows the crashed car (note its top is missing because firefighters cut it off to get the driver out):

A tow truck arrived just a moment after we took that screenshot.

9:14 PM: The crash scene is cleared but the bridge remains closed to traffic. A team that showed up a few minutes ago appears to be inspecting the arm that the driver is reported to have hit.

11:12 PM: Still closed to surface traffic, and no status update from SDOT yet.

1:53 AM: Seventh hour of the closure. (You can check on the bridge’s status here; we’ll update again i a few hours.)

6:35 AM: Still closed.

10:51 AM: Still closed, no update from SDOT, who we are trying to reach. Meantime, SFD says neither of the people taken to the hospital after the crash had life-threatening injuries – a 21-year-old woman (who we believe was the passenger) taken via AMR ambulance (which indicates less-serious injuries), a 25-year-old man (who we believe was the driver) taken via SFD medic.

12:38 PM: Still closed. We’ll publish a separate update when we get more info from SDOT, but for now, a spokesperson tells us that “our roadway structures crew and engineers are working as fast as possible to determine the extent of the damage and repair timeline.”

2:07 PM: New story here.

ADDED SUNDAY EVENING: SPD has provided additional information about the crash investigation. They say that the officer’s report summarizes:

The vehicle had been traveling westbound at a high rate of speed when it crossed into the opposite lane of travel, crashed through a gate, and finally coming to a stop when it struck another gate. The gates had been down with their lights active as the bridge had been opening [during the collision].

SPD’s response to our request for information adds, “While working, SFD located a loaded Glock 45 9mm pistol inside of the vehicle, belonging to the 25-year-old driver, and provided it to Seattle police; it was seized as evidence.” The driver is described as a Seattle resident and under investigation for DUI and “unlawful carry (of) pistol.” (The latter section of city code is explained here.)

UPDATE: Two crashes on east stretch of Highland Park Way

4:24 PM: Avoid Highland Park Way east of West Marginal for a while. As shown in the traffic-camera screenshot above, there are crashes on both sides of the street near 2nd SW – the eastbound one involves a school bus, but officers have told dispatch there were no children on board. No serious injuries reported in either crash.

4:51 PM: The eastbound crash has cleared and the live-camera view shows the westbound one should clear soon, with a tow truck on scene.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Thursday info

6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, September 12.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast: Cloudy, possible pm showers, high in upper 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:43 am, while sunset will be at 7:26 pm.

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT, AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE

*Again tonight, work on the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project is focused on the westbound side – the two left lanes are scheduled to be closed 8 pm to 7 am, then no work Friday-Sunday nights.

Other projects:

*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*Beach Drive gas-line work continues.

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule for both routes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedules. Note that the twice-yearly service change is this Saturday, September 14 – Routes 60, 125, 131, and 132 are the ones in our area that will see changes.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. The “unscheduled third boat” should be back.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Wednesday watch

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, September 11.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast: More showers possible, maybe even pm thunderstorms, high around 65. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:42 am, while sunset will be at 7:28 pm.

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT, AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE

*This week, work on the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project is focused on the westbound side – nightly closures of the two left lanes are planned, 8 pm to 7 am.

Other projects:

*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*Beach Drive gas-line work continues.

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule for both routes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedules. Note that the twice-yearly service change is this Saturday, September 14 – Routes 60, 125, 131, and 132 are the ones in our area that will see changes.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. The “unscheduled third boat” should be back.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Tuesday notes

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, September 10.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast: Mostly cloudy, possible pm showers, high around 70. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:40 am, while sunset will be at 7:30 pm.

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT, AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE

*This week, work on the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project is focused on the westbound side – nightly closures of the two left lanes are planned, 8 pm to 7 am.

Other projects:

*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders (explained at that link).

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule for both routes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedules.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. The “unscheduled third boat” should be back today.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

TRAFFIC ALERT: SDOT removing crosswalk ‘painted by mistake’ at 20th/Roxbury

2:52 PM: We don’t know if this work is happening right now or already complete, but received this note from SDOT this afternoon:

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is performing construction work at the intersection of 20th Ave SW and SW Roxbury St today (Monday, September 9, 2024) which requires closing a single lane of traffic at a time throughout the day.

Crews are removing crosswalk markings on the eastern side of this intersection where there is no walk signal equipment. We have received community feedback that these markings created a confusing situation because there is no crossing signal equipment on this side of the street to trigger a red light to stop cars when people need to cross the street. People will still be able to cross SW Roxbury St using the crosswalk and walk signal equipment on the western side of this intersection.

And a reminder that by state law, every intersection is a crosswalk, whether painted or not.

3:51 PM: Given that, we asked SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson on followup, why remove the markings? (We also noted they must have been recent, because Google Street View’s most-recent image, dated 2018, doesn’t show a crosswalk on that side.) His reply:

The crosswalk markings on the eastern side of the intersection were painted by mistake by a private contractor working for King County during the construction of the RapidRide H line and does not match our approved designs for this intersection.

SDOT learned of the issue when a community member wrote to us this summer. The eastern crosswalk markings were leading to a confusing situation for people crossing the street. People need to push the crossing signal button on the western side of the street to trigger a red light to stop cars so that they can cross safely. If people wait to cross on the east side of the street, the light does not automatically change for them.

We are looking into whether other options to let people cross on either side of the street may be possible in the future, as we take the immediate step of removing the confusing crosswalk for now.

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT: This week, closures switch to westbound side (afternoon update, big changes)

ORIGINAL MORNING REPORT: The schedule is out for this week’s planned closures in connection with the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project. Big change – this time the closures are on the westbound side, scheduled to be fully closed each night from tonight through Thursday night:

NEW PLAN, 4:08 PM – Project spokesperson Dr. Matthew Howard says what’s below REPLACES the “full westbound closures” announced earlier today:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday nights – 09/09/24 through 09/12/24

WB Double Left Lane Closure – 8:00 pm to 7:00am
1st Ave S Off-Ramp – Open.
1st Ave S On-Ramp – Closed.
Port of Seattle Terminals 5-18/Harbor Island/11th Ave SW Off-Ramp – Open.
EB S Spokane Street Viaduct – All Lanes Open

Friday Night Through Monday Morning– 09/13/24 – 09/16/24

No Closures

Again, the above is the NEW plan as of late Monday afternoon and REPLACES the full westbound closures announced earlier today.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Monday info

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, September 9 – first day of school for Seattle Public Schools preschoolers and kindergarteners.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast calls for clouds, then clearing, high around 70. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:39 am, while sunset will be at 7:32 pm.

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT, AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE

*Weekend work ended early for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project, but more work is ahead – we should get this week’s schedule today.

Other projects:

*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders (explained at that link).

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule for both routes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedules.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Note that the “unscheduled third boat” will not be available today because it’s in transit from its special weekend duty elsewhere.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

TRAFFIC ALERT: Spokane Street Viaduct reopens early

Thanks for the tip! The live traffic camera verifies that the Spokane Street Viaduct eastbound-and-partial-westbound closure has ended early, and all lanes are open again, in both directions. (The closure had been announced as planned for the entire weekend.)

UPDATE: Crash at 42nd/Alaska

5:09 PM: Thanks for the tips and photos. That 2-car crash at 42nd/Alaska is blocking eastbound Alaska right now – avoid the area for a while. No indication of major injuries so far – the SFD response is just one engine, no medic unit.

5:57 PM: Live camera shows it’s still blocked but at least one tow truck is on scene.

6:37 PM: The scene has cleared. We’re following up with SFD re: injuries.

ADDED SUNDAY AFTERNOON: SFD tells us its crews treated a 34-year-old woman and 14-year-old girl, neither of whom needed to be taken to a hospital.

UPDATE: Car-on-side crash on SW Holden

7:39 PM: SPD and SFD are arriving at the scene of a car-on-side crash in 900 block of SW Holden. Responders say everyone is out of the vehicle but the street is blocked, so avoid the area.

7:49 PM: Reader photo added.

8:22 PM: Live SDOT camera shows Holden is still blocked, crashed car still on side. We’ll be checking with SFD regarding injuries; the response was downsized quickly, and no medic unit remained assigned, which suggests no major injuries.

8:52 PM: The live camera now shows the scene has cleared.

ADDED SATURDAY: SFD confirms no one was injured.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Friday + weekend notes

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, September 6.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The National Weather Service‘s Heat Advisory alert for our area continues until 11 tonight. Thursday had a record high, 90 at SEA; today’s forecast calls for hazy sunshine, high in the 80s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:35 am, while sunset will be at 7:38 pm.

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT WEEKEND PARTIAL CLOSURE, AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE

*This week’s work on the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project concludes with an all-weekend half-closure:

*First, the two inside eastbound lanes will be closed 7-10 pm tonight. Then, for the rest of the weekend, 10 pm Friday to as late as 5 am Monday:

EB Full Closure
EB Off-Ramp to NB SR-99 OPEN.
1st Ave Off-Ramp Open
4th Ave Off-Ramp Closed

WB Inside Left Lane Closure
NB I-5 Off-Ramp to WB Spokane Viaduct Closed
Ramp to Lower Spokane St will remain open

Other projects:

*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders (explained at that link).

SODO WEEKEND NOTE

Seahawks‘ season opener Sunday, hosting Denver at Lumen Field, 1:05 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule for both routes. Later runs tonight since it’s Friday.

Metro buses today – Regular schedules.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Note that the “unscheduled third boat” will not be available today because it’s temporarily moving to another run.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

UPDATE: Collisions at 42nd/Admiral, 35th/Avalon

3:01 PM: Two busy intersections have crash responses working right now:

(Added: Reader photo)

At 42nd and Admiral, a driver is reported to have hit a pedestrian. Low-level medical response so no major injuries, but we’ll follow up with SFD.

(Added: Traffic-camera image)

At 35th/Avalon, northbound 35th is blocked by a one-car collision. Responders told dispatch there were no injuries in this one.

3:41 PM: Both scenes have been cleared.

4:38 PM: SFD tells WSB that the pedestrian, a 73-year-old woman, was taken to a hospital by private ambulance, and confirms that the 35th/Avalon collision – reported as involving three vehicles – had no injuries.

UPDATE: Avocado spill on Spokane Street Viaduct

1:12 PM: Thanks to the reader who texted, “A truck just dumped boxes and boxes of avocados on Spokane Street (Viaduct) where the huge construction bumps are.” SDOT confirms it, though the camera is zoomed in so close, we don’t know (yet) which direction.

1:19 PM: SDOT says it’s on the eastbound side, and says a response team is on the way to clean this up. Also awaiting info on how it happened, etc.

3:32 PM: Added that photo from our original texter. Not a huge spill.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Thursday notes

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, September 5, and almost everyone’s now back in school

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The National Weather Service‘s Heat Advisory alert for our area takes effect at 8 am today. Today’s forecast calls for sun and a mid-80s high. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:34 am, while sunset will be at 7:40 pm.

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE

*Here’s the plan for this week’s work on the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project. Again tonight – the two left eastbound lanes will be closed 7 pm to 6 am.

*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*The East Marginal Way S. project continues, with a temporary routing change for bicycle riders (explained at that link).

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch. You’ll find no-parking zones and steel plates, plus flaggers.

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi todayRegular schedule for both routes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedules.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Note that the “unscheduled third boat” will not be available today because it’s temporarily moving to another run.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – The Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge – Looking east:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are open for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

UPDATE: Crash at Fauntleroy/Alaska

3:35 PM: Thanks for the tips. SFD and SPD are on the scene of what was dispatched as a three-vehicle collision at Fauntleroy/Alaska, said to be blocking most of the intersection (partly shown in traffic-cam screenshot above), so avoid that area for a while.

4:20 PM: Metro alerts indicate traffic is flowing again. We’re checking with SFD on whether anyone was hurt.

5:29 PM: SFD tells us one person was checked out, a woman in her early 60s, and that she did not need further treatment.