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1. westseattlefan
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   Last time I went to Costco I got stuck going all the way to 99S to get back to WS...I know there must be a better way, but the construction has me confused, my old route to the lower bridge is closed...can anyone give me directions back to WS from Costco?

   Posted 10 months ago #         

2. abstract
   Member Profile

   I always go around (turn right on 4th, go over the 1st ave s bridge) and go up Highland Park way or W. Marginal Way to get back, but there must be a better way. I used to do the same route you did to the lower bridge too. I will be curious to hear replies.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

3. MrsL
   Member Profile

   Because we live in High Point, we found it just as easy to head S on 4th from Costco and go over the 1st Ave bridge, get off at the first exit and head up Highland Park. You can also head south on 4th turn right at the 1st light (Dawson). That'll take you back to 99/E Marginal Way S. Turn R, so you're heading north, take the exit before you get on the viaduct, and you'll reach the E Marginal Way S/Spokane intersection. Take a left there and you're on your way across the lower bridge. Hope that helps.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

4. j
   Member Profile

   I will sometimes go south on 4th to eventually take a left (not sure if it's on Michigan St.) to get back onto northbound I-5. That way I can just take the West Seattle Bridge exit to get home.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

5. westseattlefan
   Member Profile

   Thanks so much...both options sound like good ones to me!

   Posted 10 months ago #         

6. Bostonman
   Member Profile

   I live behind Alaska junction and usually I will go south on 4th until I can get on I 5 north and then take the bridge accross. Probably the long way but thats what I do.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

7. add
   Member Profile

   I take the WS Bridge to the 4th Ave exit to get to Costco. Coming back, turn right out of the parking lot and follow 4th Ave. all the way to Michigan. Turn right and then go straight thru the next light to get on 99S. You can take the first exit for South Park; turn right at the end of the ramp then left up the Highland Park hill. This works for me, but I live in the south end of WS.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

8. westseattlefan
   Member Profile

   @Bostonman - how long does that take you to come back on I-5?

   Posted 10 months ago #         

9. I Wonder
   Member Profile

   Nope! Go left (north) on 4th. At the first light (or at Spokane St.) go east to 6th. Go north on 6th to Spokane. Get back on WSB eastbound but don't get on I-5, continue up to Columbia. Stay in right lane and U-Turn back at the light. Then cross back over WSB west bound.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

10. cathyw
    Member Profile

    @ I Wonder - Hadn't thought of that one. So tricky. Good for you. Will go that way next time. Thx. :)

    Posted 10 months ago #         

11. mtnfreak
    Member Profile

    I head north on 4th to turn left/west on Horton, follow it to Alaska, then Spokane.

    Posted 10 months ago #         

12. JimmyG
    Member Profile

    

    1. Turn right (S/B) out of Costco onto 4th South.

    2. Turn right (W/B) on So. Dawson.

    3. Turn right (N/B) on E. Marginal Way So.

    4. At the start of Highway 99 N/B take the exit on the right (sign says W. Seattle/Harbor Island) continuing on E. Marginal Way So.

    5. Crossing underneath the WS Bridge you'll turn left (W/B) onto S. Spokane and follow Spokane into West Seattle crossing the lower bridge.

    I just came home this way tonight.

    Posted 10 months ago #         

13. MercyMoi
    Member Profile

    

    I need to add this thread to my Favorites so I can try some of these routes. I get lost and/or stuck in traffic any time I've headed S on 4th and tried to meander W. My current route is really out of the way, but there's no traffic and that means something to me.

    S on 4th, E on Lucille, weave through Georgetown and continue E to 15th Ave S, and N to Columbia Way and enter bridge.

    It's far in miles but easy on the traffic stress. I will try some of these other routes mentioned but NOT the one that is E Marginal Way to the lower bridge. I always get stuck behind trucks and miss lights.

    Posted 10 months ago #         

14. westseattlefan
    Member Profile

    JimmyG - thanks for such clear directions - I am headed out today and will try that one. I think the end part of that is how I come back from the airport, so hopefully I will recognize it from 99...but I could be mistaken. In any case, thanks to all, I won't feel so penned in over there now!

    Posted 10 months ago #         

15. formans
    Member Profile

    I concur with the other postings for such. Another route would be to drive north on 4th Ave S and get on the ramp which allows you to get on I-5. Head south and take the West Seattle Bridge exit. It is a little out of the way but should be considered as another option in lieu of West Marginal Way option or going to Highland Park area/1st Avenue Bridge.

    Posted 10 months ago #         

16. Wednesday
    Member Profile

    Leaving Costco, going 4th to Spokane to Columbia Way and then the U-turn route works very well and everybody is doing it, even delivery trucks like UPS do it.

    Posted 10 months ago #         

17. I Wonder
    Member Profile

    After you've done the Columbia U-turn trick, you'll never want to go thru G-Town, Marginal, Michigan ST although I will do the Highland back door when I want to come back up the back side of WS. Another trick: instead of going to Safeco and getting on I-5 to WSB, try the I-5 overpass @ Hogate to Beacon, South on Beacon to Spokane, to Columbia and across WSB. When I-5 is a mess, this works well too.

    Posted 10 months ago #         

18. redblack
    Member Profile

    

    i wonder: i've heard of that u-turn but never done it.

    so you go east on the lower roadway to - where? if i recall correctly, lower spokane goes to airport way (left lane) and columbian way/I-5 (right lane.)

    how far east do you take columbian way?

    Posted 10 months ago #         

19. I Wonder
    Member Profile

    @ 6th Ave on ramp to I-5 north, go up the ramp but don't enter I-5. Move over one lane at the merge and go over I-5. Just before the Spokane/Columbia St signal (first light) on the right is a traffic lane for a side street. Take that lane, and it allows you to make a left turn at the signal back onto Columbia west bound, and then back onto the WSB.
    Its a little confusing because of that side street, but once you are there, it should make more sense. Its a perfectly legal U-turn, but you initiate it from the right lane around the intersection, rather than a "true" left turn lane u-turn.

    Posted 10 months ago #         

20. redblack
    Member Profile

    

    ahh! i know that side street; i just never knew where it went.

    many thanks!

    Posted 10 months ago #         

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