3:40 PM: We’ve received multiple texts that the “low bridge” is stuck in “open” mode. We haven’t received confirmation from SDOT yet, but webcams show no vehicle traffic crossing it, and the vehicle-blocking gates are down. So if you were headed that way, you might try an alternate route until we verify it’s working again.

3:53 PM: Webcams and scanner both verify the bridge is operating properly again.

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

7:20 AM: If you use southbound Highway 509, be aware that SFD is on the freeway at Cloverdale – we don’t know whether it’s north or south of the entrance from the end of the Roxbury corridor – fighting a car fire.

Also, if you use 1st Avenue S. from/to the West Seattle Bridge and see/saw police, it’s a shooting investigation. (The original dispatch was at 4:39 am.)

That’s it for alerts so far.

8:16 AM SDOT reports a crash at 35th/Holden. The associated SFD call closed quickly.

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

6:30 AM: If you use 26th SW in North Delridge, be aware that some SFD units may still be in the 4700 block and vicinity in the aftermath of an early-morning house fire.

Otherwise – it’s Eclipse Day. If you’re not already taking the day – or at least the morning – off to watch it, remember that near-totality (92 percent coverage) arrives in our area at 10:20 am. Provided the weather cooperates – here in Upper Fauntleroy, we’ve been watching a fog bank advancing this way from Vashon …

Other things you should know about today:

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Ninth-graders start today at Summit Atlas, West Seattle’s first charter school, on the southwest corner of 35th SW and SW Roxbury. That means about 100 students arriving around 8 am. The school also is starting its first year with a sixth-grade class, and their first day is tomorrow. (Here’s Summit Atlas’s calendar.) Our area’s other schools are generally not starting until early September.

4TH AVENUE S. REPAVING: This is the start of the second week for repaving between Spokane St. and the stadiums.

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

7:24 AM: Happy Friday morning! No incidents reported so far, either in West Seattle or on the major outbound routes.

REPAVING CONTINUES: Day 4 of SDOT repaving SW Admiral Way between Lander and Stevens [map].

IN THE STADIUM ZONE: Seahawks vs. Vikings, 7 pm tonight.

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

7:20 AM: Good morning! No current incidents reported in West Seattle or on the major outbound routes.

REPAVING CONTINUES: Day 3 of SDOT repaving SW Admiral Way between Lander and Stevens [map].

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

7:20 AM: Good morning! No West Seattle (or nearby) incidents or major slowdowns reported so far.

REPAVING CONTINUES: Through Friday, SDOT is repaving SW Admiral Way between Lander and Stevens [map]. The work started yesterday and is scheduled to resume at 9 am today; we’ll be taking a closer look later today.

MARINERS’ DAY GAME: 12:40 pm at Safeco Field, the Mariners host Baltimore.

NEW FIRE STATION 32: And one more reminder … the new FS32 at the site of the old one (37th/38th/Alaska) was occupied as of yesterday, so if you drive/ride/walk SW Alaska, note that for the first time in about 2 years, you might be seeing SFD units roll out of that site.

8:47 AM: SDOT reports a crash at West Marginal Way and SW Spokane. No SFD medic dispatch, though. And if you’re headed to/through downtown, as pointed out in comments, there’s a police incident blocking part of 5th. SPD says they’re using a robot to “check out a suspicious item at 5th and Pike.”

9:04 AM: SPD says the downtown investigation is over and roads are open again.

12:30 PM: If you have to head eastbound onto the West Seattle Bridge – you might want to wait a while:

That collision, reported to involve 2 vehicles and no serious injuries, is on the EB bridge near 4th Avenue South. We’ll update when it’s cleared.

12:40 PM: Fast work – SDOT says the scene is now clear.

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

7:06 AM: Good morning! So far, no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.

REPAVING REMINDER: Today through Friday, SDOT plans to repave SW Admiral Way between Lander and Stevens [map]. The official announcement says work is scheduled 9 am-4 pm daily.

8:59 AM: We also have a report that Fairmount Avenue is closed through the ravine between Alki and Admiral. We’re checking on that – we had a report last night about ongoing tree concerns, not the first time in that area, and had advised the caller to tell SDOT, so we’ll see if that’s what’s happening.

10:02 AM: Just went by – there are “road closed” signs at the top of the ravine but not at the bottom, and the road is open, no sign of a work crew.

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

6:52 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported in/from West Seattle. This morning’s notes:

WATER TAXI BACK: The West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis are both back in service today; WS resumed service on Saturday. The downtown dock is now north of Colman Dock, and the schedule has changed.

TRIANGLE ROUTE BACK TO 3 BOATS: After being down to 2 boats over the weekend, Washington State Ferries has the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route back to 3 as of today.

4TH AVE. S. REPAVING: A six-month repaving project on 4th Avenue South between Spokane St. (the West Seattle Bridge) and Royal Brougham Way begins this morning. Details are here.

ADMIRAL WAY REPAVING: Tomorrow through Friday, SDOT plans to repave SW Admiral Way between Lander and Stevens. Details are here.

11:38 PM: Just confirmed by driving the eastbound bridge – and SDOT finally tweeted it too – the ramp to NB 99 is closed for a crash investigation. No other details. The crash initially was reported as involving a vehicle “into the barricade.”

12:24 AM: The ramp has reopened.

Just announced by SDOT:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that crews will be paving SW Admiral Way from SW Lander St to SW Stevens St, beginning Tuesday, August 15 through Friday, August 18.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15 through Friday, August 18, travelers can expect:

Crews will be paving SW Admiral Way from SW Lander St to SW Stevens St.
Traffic in each direction will be detoured to use the parking lanes.
Parking will be restricted.
72 hours before work starts temporary “No Parking” signs will be placed.
Traffic will have slight delays during work hours.
You may enter and exit driveways, but you may have to wait up to 15 minutes for equipment to clear.
If possible, use alternate routes during construction.
King County Metro bus stops are not expected to be impacted.
This project is part of SDOT’s Arterial Major Maintenance (AMM) program. The AMM program maintains our busiest streets by making strategic small-scale investments at key locations on city streets.
SDOT would like to thank the public for its patience while this work is completed.

This follows recent paving work on 35th SW in Sunrise Heights, on Beach Drive, and on 63rd SW.

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

7:11 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far.

WATER TAXI UPDATE: West Seattle and Vashon are still out of service today for the move to the new temporary downtown dock. But as reported here last night, WS could be back in service tomorrow; Vashon, which normally runs weekdays only, on Monday. We expect an update later today.

7:38 AM: A weekend reminder – if you’re using Highway 509 south of West Seattle, the ongoing paving project will have lane closures both ways all weekend – the specifics are here.

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

6:59 AM: Good morning! We’ve looked around and no incidents are currently reported in/from West Seattle.

WATER TAXI-LESSNESS, DAY 4: The King County Water Taxi for both West Seattle and Vashon Island continues to be out of service while its downtown dock is moved to a temporary (year and a half) location on the north side of Colman Dock. KCDOT said this could last up to a week and has not issued any formal updates; we’ll be asking today how it’s going.

STATE FERRY TASK FORCE: The Triangle Route Task Force meets today to talk about ongoing attempts to address backups at Fauntleroy. Riders say boats are continuing to leave less-than-full at peak times. The public is welcome at the meeting, 4:30-7 pm at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW).

8:17 AM: SDOT reports a crash at West Marginal and SW Andover.

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

7:02 AM: SDOT reports a vehicle blocking the right lane of the eastbound bridge at the Admiral Way onramp.

Other notes to start:

WATER TAXI REMINDER: Today is day three without King County Water Taxi service – as the passenger-ferry service moves to a new temporary dock on the north side of the downtown ferry terminal.

BEACH DRIVE PAVING UPDATE: SDOT says work on Beach Drive SW between Charlestown and Andover will resume today, 9 am-6 pm. Flaggers will assist with traffic control.

7:24 AM: SDOT says the blocking vehicle on the eastbound bridge has been cleared.

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

7:11 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported on the routes through/from West Seattle so far.

WATER TAXI REMINDER: Today is day two without King County Water Taxi service – both the West Seattle and Vashon runs are on hold while the downtown dock moves to a new temporary location on the north side of the Washington State Ferries terminal. The outage could last up to a week; when service resumes, not only will the new dock be in use for about a year and a half, but there also will be a new schedule.

63RD SW PAVING REMINDER: Any work left to be done on 63rd north of Admiral will be done today, SDOT says. And then:

BEACH DRIVE PAVING UPDATE: SDOT says that work will resume tomorrow::

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that crews will be paving Beach Dr SW between SW Charlestown St and SW Andover St on August 9.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 9, travelers can expect:

·Crews to be paving Beach Dr SW between SW Andover St and SW Charlestown St
·One lane in each direction will remain open to traffic while crews are working
·Flaggers will assist with traffic control
·There will be “No Parking” on Beach Dr SW between SW Andover St and SW Charlestown St while this work is being done
·Traffic may have slight delays during operation hours
·Drivers may enter and exit driveways, but may have to wait up to 15 minutes for equipment to clear
·Use alternate routes during this work if possible

7:48 AM: On NB I-5 before Seneca, an incident is blocking the right center lane, per WSDOT.

8:06 AM That’s clear. Now SDOT reports a crash on West Marginal at Andover.

Though the original plan was to repave 63rd SW this week, south of Alki SW, it was still in the condition shown above (photographed Thursday evening) when we took another look earlier today. At day’s end, SDOT sent this updated schedule:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that crews will be paving 63rdAve SW between Alki Ave SW and SW Admiral Way through August 8.

Through August 8, travelers can expect:

-There will be lane closures 24 hours a day on 63rd Ave SW between Alki Ave SW and SW Admiral Way.
-The two inside general purpose lanes on 63rd Ave SW will be closed.
-The bike lanes on 63rd Ave SW will be closed. A signed detour will be posted.
-Northbound and southbound traffic on 63rd Ave SW will be routed to the outside curb lanes until the work can be completed.
-There will be no parking on 63rd Ave SW during this time.
-The work is expected to be completed on August 8.

This project is part of SDOT’s Arterial Major Maintenance (AMM) program.

No update on Beach Drive yet.

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

7:09 AM: One nearby traffic alert this morning – police are investigating a deadly crash on 1st Avenue South at Fidalgo [map] in Georgetown, and 1st will be closed there while that continues.

Otherwise, we have reminders for you again:

PAVING: Beach Drive at Andover and 63rd north of Admiral are both in progress, we noted while checking the area Thursday evening.

BLUE ANGELS CLOSURES: I-90 closures east of I-5 for Seafair (Blue Angels) practices and airshows continue today through Sunday, 12:55 pm-2:40 pm each day, per the WSDOT website.

WATER TAXI SERVICE INTERRUPTION STARTS MONDAY: No West Seattle or Vashon Water Taxi service starting Monday while the downtown dock is moved to a temporary location north of Colman Dock so the new permanent dock can be built. Here’s our update from earlier this week.

7:42 AM: Couple more notes – Speaking of the Water Taxi, you have a few more days to take its online survey … and the “online open house” for the Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition plan is now up and running.

8:44 AM: SPD says 1st Avenue S. at the crash scene should reopen soon, and has released a few details about the collision, saying it involved a motorcycle rider – who was dead at the scene – and car driver.

9:45 AM: 1st Avenue S. has reopened, SDOT reports.

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

6:55 AM: Good morning! No traffic incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far.

Reminders:

PAVING: The crews repaving a section of north Beach Drive at Andover are scheduled to move next to 63rd SW between Admiral Way and Alki Avenue. Details here.

BLUE ANGELS CLOSURES: I-90 is scheduled to close east of I-5 for Seafair (Blue Angels) practices and airshows today through Sunday. From the WSDOT website:

Thursday, Aug. 3: 9:45 am – 12:15 pm; 1- 2:40 pm (practices)
Friday, Aug. 4: 12:55 – 2:40 pm
Saturday, Aug. 5: 12:55 – 2:40 pm
Sunday, Aug. 6: 12:55 – 2:40 pm

WATER TAXI SERVICE INTERRUPTION STARTS MONDAY: The West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis will be out of service for up to a week starting Monday while their downtown dock is moved to a temporary location north of Colman Dock. Here’s our coverage of the media briefing this past Monday as construction of the temp dock began.

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

7:06 AM: Good morning! Welcome to the first day of August. No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far.

Reminders:

‘NIGHT OUT’ TONIGHT: Many residential streets will be closed for the annual neighborhood block parties tonight between 6 and 9.

WEST SEATTLE PAVING: SDOT plans to repave a section of north Beach Drive today and tomorrow, and 63rd SW between Admiral Way and Alki Avenue on Thursday. Details here.

BOREN PORTABLES ON THE MOVE: As announced last week, Seattle Public Schools is moving portable classrooms from Louisa Boren STEM K-8 on Delridge very early for each of the next two mornings (one was scheduled to be moved early today) – here’s the advisory.

BLUE ANGELS CLOSURES: Thursday through Sunday, I-90 will close east of I-5 for Seafair (Blue Angels) practices and airshows. From the WSDOT website:

Thursday, Aug. 3: 9:45 am – 12:15 pm; 1- 2:40 pm (practices)
Friday, Aug. 4: 12:55 – 2:40 pm
Saturday, Aug. 5: 12:55 – 2:40 pm
Sunday, Aug. 6: 12:55 – 2:40 pm

9 AM: We should also remind you that next Monday (August 7th) is the start of the Water Taxi service interruption, up to a week while the dock is moved to a temporary location on the north side of the main ferry terminal, which is about to be remodeled. The various transportation agencies involved are planning a media briefing later this morning and we’ll have that information here later today.

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

7:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to the last day of July. No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far.

Much to look ahead to this week, starting with:

WEST SEATTLE PAVING: Last week, SDOT did “spot paving” on a stretch of northbound 35th SW; this week, paving is planned on a section of Beach Drive Tuesday and Wednesday, and 63rd SW between Admiral Way and Alki Avenue on Thursday. More info here.

BOREN PORTABLES ON THE MOVE: Early Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, as announced last week, portable classrooms will be moved from Louisa Boren STEM K-8 on Delridge – here’s the advisory, in case you missed it.

BLUE ANGELS CLOSURES: This Thursday through Sunday, I-90 will be closed for Seafair (Blue Angels) practices and airshows. From the WSDOT website:

The mainlines of I-90 will be closed between I-5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island:

Thursday, Aug. 3: 9:45 am – 12:15 pm; 1- 2:40 pm (practices)
Friday, Aug. 4: 12:55 – 2:40 pm
Saturday, Aug. 5: 12:55 – 2:40 pm
Sunday, Aug. 6: 12:55 – 2:40 pm

Even if you’re not expecting to use I-90, the closures lead to backups on I-5, especially northbound coming off the West Seattle Bridge, so now you know when to steer clear.