West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle traffic alert update: Bridge crash cleared

Thanks to the WSB’er who just texted us to point out there’s a crash on the westbound West Seattle Bridge, on the upslope. You can see it in the left westbound lanes in the east-facing camera image above (at least as of when we checked it). No word yet about injuries but there’s a sizable fire response and scanner traffic says it’s blocking three lanes. If you are outside West Seattle and headed this way – go for the low bridge or the 1st Avenue South bridge TFN.

ADDED 7:29 PM: It’s a multiple-vehicle crash and right now traffic is only “creeping by” (as described on the scanner) via the shoulders, as shown by this photo we just received:

Some of the Seattle Fire responders have been cleared from the scene, per the scanner, which is our sole source of information as this is an area virtually impossible to get to for in-person reporting.

8:09 PM UPDATE: Looks like the scene should be clear soon, as the updated webcam shows tow trucks are there.

8:15 PM UPDATE: And the scanner confirms … all lanes now open.

Traffic alert: Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct weekend closure

(Newest traffic-cam image of traffic-less Viaduct)
If all is going according to WSDOT‘s schedule, the (remaining) Alaskan Way Viaduct, and Highway 99 from there to the West Seattle Bridge, is closing about now, and is scheduled to stay closed until Monday morning. This is the twice-yearly inspection closure, and some maintenance work is being done too. (Then it’ll close again the weekend after next, Friday night 4/6 through Monday morning 4/9.)

1:28 PM UPDATE: Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) shares this photo showing bridge traffic a little while ago:

Meantime, a commenter asks about the reason for the early April closure – as explained by WSDOT here, it’s for reinforcement work in advance of tunnel-boring.

Update: 99/Viaduct partial closure tonight; more traffic notes

(UPDATED 8:41 PM with more traffic effects tonight, and tomorrow)

Drive 99? Note that the weekend closure mentioned on the sign is NOT the only Highway 99 closure ahead:

TONIGHT: Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct is CLOSED SOUTHBOUND OVERNIGHT.

EARLY SATURDAY TILL EARLY MONDAY: 99/Viaduct is closed both ways, 6 am Saturday till 5 am Monday (if it reopens earlier, we’ll publish an update).

THEN, TWO WEEKS LATER: The Viaduct/99 will close again from 11 pm Friday, April 6th, till 5 am Monday, April 9th.

ADDED 8:41 PM: Sorry to have not had this all in one place sooner but there are a variety of things to note for tonight, and tomorrow, besides tonight’s overnight 99/Viaduct closure. First, from the weekly lookahead:

*Tonight, per SDOT: “The 1st Ave S off-ramp from the West Seattle Bridge will be closed overnight. The 4th Ave off-ramp will remain open from the Spokane Street Viaduct for access to the SODO and downtown area.”

*Also tonight, per SDOT: “The northbound on-ramp from S Royal Brougham Way to the Alaskan Way Viaduct (SR99) will be closed overnight.”

*And more for tonight: “A single eastbound lane on the Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed overnight. Access to I-5 will be maintained.”

*Yet more for tonight: “Eastbound S Spokane St will be closed between East Marginal Way S and 1st Ave S each night.”

*And for Friday morning, this too from SDOT, announced late today: “Tomorrow morning, March 23, motorists traveling in the vicinity of the Seattle Center may encounter heavier traffic than usual. Between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. a crowd of 3,500 or more will be attending a private event at the Key Arena. Traffic could build in the area as early as 7 a.m. and likely will impact the morning commute between the Center grounds and I-5. Charter buses will be unloading and loading attendees during the event on streets near the Key Arena.” (Multiple WSB’ers tell us the “private event” is the Amazon all-hands meeting.)

West Seattle road work: Repaving for 1 more block of California SW

Just in from SDOT:

Our Street Maintenance paving crews plan to resurface California Avenue Southwest between Southwest Hudson and Southwest Dawson streets [map] toward the end of next week. They expect to keep the street open to both directions of travel as well as the sidewalks. The schedule is weather dependent — both for completing the projects they are doing before this one, and for this project.

They’re promising an official advisory when they have a better idea of exactly which day(s). This will be the fifth block of California SW south of The Junction to get repaved/resurfaced in the past half-year – last September, it was the block from Edmunds to Hudson, and then in December, it was Findlay to Graham.

West Seattle traffic: There’s an app for that!

Remember “Viadoom” last October? Yeah, not so much “doom,” but traffic is always a hotbutton issue around here. During the demolition closure, West Seattleite Andi Rusu came up with a simple app that could be used on a mobile device or regular computer, featuring traffic cams, and announced it in an October 10th WSB comment. Now, Andi has made some changes, and wanted to share the app with you again:

I just finished improving the UI and adding a WS DOT travel times feed that shows distances, average and current travel times to and from different points around Seattle. Also in the app, there is a traffic map along with the last 5 WS DOT tweets.

This is an all free web app; anyone can use it either with a computer or smart phone. (iPhone works best…) I hope people will continue to find it useful.

Highway 99 traffic alert: Midday lane closure for emergency work

Just got a heads-up about work that might cause some backups on southbound Highway 99 if you’re heading this way in the early afternoon: The steel plates at Holgate need to have a few things “tightened up,” so the right lane will be closed approximately noon-2 pm. We asked if those plates will ever go away, since they’ve been a source of concern for a while – they’re actually lids for “vaults,” but the closure for inspection and maintenance work NEXT WEEKEND may include replacement with new lids that “aren’t so bumpy.”

West Seattle traffic alert: Icy out there

Winter officially ends when the spring equinox arrives at 10:14 pm tonight. But nobody told the weather it’s almost spring. A really cold night, following a rainy Sunday afternoon, has left some roads “slick,” as K describes the West Seattle Bridge as of moments ago. We’re keeping closer watch on the morning commute as a result; be careful!

8:50 AM UPDATE: Via Twitter, SDOT reports a stalled car on the eastbound bridge. No word on exactly where, but the traffic camera view (refresh for the newest image) shows the backup.

Another West Seattle Bridge traffic alert: New Harbor Island ramp opens tomorrow

(The westernmost aqua spur is the new Harbor Island ramp – click for larger image)
An alert for westbound drivers on the West Seattle Bridge – Another component of the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project is ready to open. SDOT has just announced that the new Harbor Island offramp from the westbound bridge will open tomorrow. Here’s what’s on the project website:

… on Saturday morning, March 17, the old westbound exit to Harbor Island will be closed and the new off-ramp will open. Signage will direct motorists wishing to take this exit, but it should be noted that the new off-ramp begins east of SR 99, whereas the old-ramp began west of SR 99.

Meantime, the 1st Avenue offramp on the eastbound SSV is still months away. We’ll be adding more project updates from the first meeting of a new informal task force that SDOT promised to form after the communications crisis that complicated a daylong bridge closure in January. SDOT reps at the meeting say the new Harbor Island offramp will open early in the morning – no hard-and-fast time, but as soon as crews are ready, 6 am or so.

ADDED 6:10 PM: SDOT has sent a news release with not only the ramp opening we mentioned, but also a reminder about tonight’s bridge closure and other changes ahead – read on: Click to read the rest of Another West Seattle Bridge traffic alert: New Harbor Island ramp opens tomorrow…

West Seattle traffic alerts: Latest list of upcoming closures

Three notes of interest in the weekly list of closures/changes, just out: First – next Friday night, March 22nd, southbound Highway 99 is scheduled to close overnight between Denny Way and S. Spokane St. … We first told you last week about the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure planned for early March 24th through early March 26th, for the semi-annual inspection; that’s still on the list. … From March 26th through April 6th, the 1st Avenue South offramp from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to be closed around the clock for surface paving. The 4th Avenue “loop” offramp will stay open. … More details of all this can be found here.

Bridge closures Thursday and Friday nights: Reminder from SDOT

SDOT just sent around a reminder that the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct will close Thursday and Friday nights, which also affects West Seattle Bridge access from I-5:

The contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation on the Spokane Street Viaduct (the elevated roadway between the West Seattle Bridge and I-5) will close the viaduct to westbound traffic between I-5 and SR 99 on Thursday and Friday nights, March 15 and 16 from 10 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the following morning. This will close direct access to West Seattle via the Spokane Street Viaduct from both northbound and southbound I-5. (Motorists traveling southbound on SR 99 will still be able to access the off-ramp to the West Seattle Bridge.)

Southbound traffic from I-5 wishing to reach West Seattle can detour by exiting I-5 at S Forest Street, turning right (northbound) onto Sixth Avenue S, then turning left (westbound) onto S Lander Street, turning left again (southbound) at First Avenue S, then turning right (westbound) at S Hanford, turning left onto E Marginal Way S, and finally turning right (westbound) onto the lower S Spokane Street roadway and across the swing bridge into West Seattle. Northbound traffic from I-5 wishing to travel to West Seattle should exit the freeway at the Sixth Avenue S off-ramp, and then follow the same detour route outlined above. Detour signs will help motorists follow the designated route.

Update: Alert for bicyclists – Duwamish Trail work under way

ORIGINAL 9:55 PM REPORT: Dave shared this tonight in hopes of helping fellow bicycle commuters:

I wanted to pass on some construction I unexpectedly encountered today. I bike to work from the Junction to Boeing Field via West Marginal Way. Today I encountered an SDOT crew on the bike path just south of the longhouse. On return this afternoon, I found that they had the bike path ground down to bare gravel, sand, dirt, and mud (thanks afternoon snow/rain storm). The stretch from from the long house headed southbound to where the path recrosses the railroad tracks just north of LaFarge is ground down and in this condition. Just wanted to pass on this information as that surface is very treacherous now, especially for road bikes. All of the equipment is there, so it may be paved by the end of the day tomorrow.

We’ll check with SDOT in the morning – hadn’t heard about this previously.

ADDED 9:31 AM WEDNESDAY: SDOT says the work will continue throughout the week. Read on for their news release: Click to read the rest of Update: Alert for bicyclists – Duwamish Trail work under way…

Just in from SDOT: 2 nighttime bridge closures next week, and a surface-traffic change

The Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project will require two overnight closures next week – westbound this time – according to SDOT, which also says the port-built East Marginal Way Grade Separation is finally done and that will bring a permanent surface-traffic change starting Monday. Read on for the full announcement: Click to read the rest of Just in from SDOT: 2 nighttime bridge closures next week, and a surface-traffic change…

SODO traffic alert: Soccer match tonight at The Clink

Reminder from SDOT – of note if you commute through SODO: “Tonight (March 7) 20,000 soccer fans are expected to be on hand at CenturyLink Field for the 7 p.m. Sounders’ CONCACAF Champions League match against Santos Laguna of Torreón, Mexico.”

West Seattle traffic alert: Crash at 35th/Thistle

(Photo added 8:17 am)
Looks like no major damage and no injuries, but traffic is being slowed, particularly on northbound 35th, by what appears to be a fender-bender involving an SUV and Access bus at 35th/Thistle. If you’re just heading out, you might consider another arterial for a little while if you can.

Traffic alert: Truck trouble on new East Marginal Way bridge

In case you’re planning to head through the East Marginal Way/Spokane Street area (map) east of the “low bridge”/under the “high bridge” any time soon – you may encounter traffic trouble, as police have been working on diverting traffic away from the new Port of Seattle-built East Marginal Way Grade Separation bridge, after a semi-truck crash on that structure. No word of injuries.

Highway 99 traffic alert: 6-week lane closure north of The Viaduct

Hadn’t mentioned this before, since it’s not the section of 99 that WSB covers closely – but Michelle e-mailed us about it today, saying it will affect her commute and she thought other West Seattleites would want to know too: Starting tomorrow, 99 southbound will narrow from three lanes to two between Republican and John Streets, just north of the Battery Street Tunnel – all part of preparations for tunnel construction. The closure is expected to last about six weeks. WSDOT has full details here.

West Seattle traffic alert: Spokane St. Viaduct lane closures (etc.)

An update from SDOT on lane closures and other traffic alerts related to the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project – some happening tonight. Read on: Click to read the rest of West Seattle traffic alert: Spokane St. Viaduct lane closures (etc.)…

Update: SDOT cancels weekend 1st/Spokane closure

Just in from SDOT – the planned closure this weekend of the 1st Avenue/Spokane St. intersection, and the 1st Avenue South offramp from the bridge, is CANCELED.

West Seattle traffic alert: Detour under the bridge tomorrow

Though SDOT has announced the Fauntleroy Expressway work will NOT require any more closures, there will be a detour under the bridge tomorrow, 10 am-4 pm for those heading northbound on Avalon, right at SW Spokane (the bridge). If you’re headed that way tomorrow, here’s how you will be detoured, according to SDOT’s announcement:

Northbound motorists traveling on SW Avalon Way will be detoured to eastbound SW Spokane Street. They will then be directed to perform a U-turn at 26th Avenue SW onto westbound SW Spokane Street and then north on Harbor Avenue SW. Northbound trucks and Metro buses traveling on SW Avalon Way will be flagged through the work zone.

You WILL still be able to get to the bridge from Avalon, Admiral, or Harbor, according to SDOT, which adds that “Intermittent interruption of traffic will occur in this area until construction is complete late this spring.”

Update: West Seattle Bridge work ends 17 hours ahead of schedule

(SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE: SDOT confirms the work finished way ahead of schedule & the bridge is fully open for the rest of the weekend. Next closure is scheduled Tuesday night)

11:22 PM: Just in case you forgot – or missed the past week-plus of warnings – the west end of the West Seattle Bridge is now closed, and scheduled to stay that way until just before midnight Sunday night. It’s the section known as the Fauntleroy Expressway, and it’s getting earthquake-safety upgrades, with closures required many recent nights so that the bridge deck can be raised a bit, with new quake-resistance pads slipped in. (See our mid-January story for a closer look at the work that’s been under way many recent nights.)

Here’s how it’ll affect you between now and the reopening on Sunday:

If you’re heading westbound on the high bridge, you will have to exit at Delridge. You can still get to the Admiral/Alki/Harbor Avenue area if you follow the signs to SW Spokane and head west under The Bridge from there.

If you’re heading eastbound and need to get onto the bridge, Admiral and Delridge are OK, according to advance info from SDOT. 35th/Fauntleroy is closed. If you’re headed toward the bridge on Fauntleroy, you’ll be pointed toward Avalon. So in either direction, give yourself some extra time. Again, this is scheduled to last until late Sunday night (we’ll let you know if it ends sooner). More Fauntleroy Expressway overnight closures are expected next week – but SDOT says that’s likely the last week for them, since the project is ahead of schedule.

8:22 AM: The bridge is currently OPEN, despite SDOT’s week-plus warning that it would be closed till late tonight. We are checking with them to see if it’s closing again later or if the work finished REALLY early.

8:45 AM: Just heard back from Marybeth Turner at SDOT – who confirms that the contractor finished before 7 am, and that’s the end of it for this weekend.

West Seattle traffic alerts: This weekend’s closures, summarized

After the Saturday debacle a few weeks ago, SDOT promised to improve its communication about closures (and other things affecting traffic). Toward that end, they have just sent an advisory summarizing everything happening this weekend in “the West Seattle Bridge corridor,” including the all-day-Sunday closure of the Fauntleroy Expressway. We’ve mentioned them all already, but one more read-through probably can’t hurt: Click to read the rest of West Seattle traffic alerts: This weekend’s closures, summarized…

Rally tomorrow morning north of West Seattle ‘low bridge’

This has the potential to affect traffic, so we’re publishing an advance alert: Multiple announcements, including an advisory e-mailed directly to us and other media, say a rally is planned at 9 am tomorrow in the Spokane Street Bridge Fishing Area just north of the “low bridge.” Organizers say the rally will involve and show support for hundreds of independent Port of Seattle truck drivers who are reported to be off the job because of safety and financial concerns. (Here’s recent coverage from the Seattle Times [WSB partner] and from KING 5.) More information about the rally and the ongoing situation can also be found via the website for Puget Sound Sage, which sent the latest media advisory (here’s the full text).

West Seattle Bridge closure alert: Fauntleroy Expressway closed all day on Sunday, February 19th

>(Fauntleroy Expressway at top of page; aerial photo by Long B. Nguyen; expanded view here)
Just in from SDOT - they need to close the Fauntleroy Expressway, the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge, for a full day on Sunday, February 19th, as the earthquake-safety project continues. The closure actually will start Saturday night, February 18th, and run as late as midnight Sunday night. Here’s the announcement, just in:

Fauntleroy Expressway and SW Avalon Way Closures, Feb. 13-19
Full closure from Saturday night through Sunday night

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will close the Fauntleroy Expressway (from 35th SW to the Delridge ramps at the west end of the West Seattle Bridge) during the night next week, February 13-17, as previously announced, and also during the weekend beginning Saturday, February 18, at 9:00 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 19.

During these closures the following detours will be in effect:

· Westbound motorists traveling to West Seattle via the West Seattle Bridge will be directed to use the Delridge Way SW off-ramp.

· Eastbound motorists on Fauntleroy Way SW will be detoured at 35th Avenue SW and will be directed to the West Seattle Bridge via SW Genesee Street and Delridge Way SW.

Additionally, northbound traffic on SW Avalon Way will be restricted February 13-19 during these dates and times:

· Monday, February 13, through Friday, February 17, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
· Saturday, February 18, starting at 6:00 p.m. until Sunday, February 19, at 11:59 p.m.

During these times the following detour for SW Avalon Way will be in place:

· Northbound motorists traveling on SW Avalon Way will be detoured to eastbound SW Spokane Street. They will then be directed to perform a U-turn at 26th Avenue SW onto westbound SW Spokane Street and then north on Harbor Avenue SW. Northbound trucks and Metro buses traveling on SW Avalon Way will be flagged through the work zone.

These closures are required as part of the seismic retrofit of the Fauntleroy Expressway in order to make it more likely to withstand the force of a major earthquake. The work is funded by the “Bridging the Gap” transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in November 2006.

For more information and a map of the detour, visit SDOT’s project website.