Thanks to Mark B. Bauschke for that photo of a one-car crash that snarled things for a bit at the Delridge onramp to The Bridge this afternoon. Mark says he didn’t see any sign anyone was seriously hurt, but he wonders if this was a case of someone waiting too long to decide which way they’ll veer; he notes, “I often get cut off at that onramp by a car that waits to choose upper or lower ramp.”
One of the first things I noticed moving to Seattle a long time ago (beyond the gorgeous scenery, etc.) was the lack of decent signage. Many signs are ambiguous or poorly placed. The Delridge ramps on AND off the bridge are perfect examples. And I once took the wrong exit and ended up on Harbor Island in the middle of the night – a weird place to be after dark!
I would suggest that the driver of the wrecked car was in the left-lane actually trying to race by vehicles in the right-hand lane with the ultimate plan to cut in front at the last second and zip up onto the bridge. They were probably not having challenges of indecision or confused about signage, or lack thereof. I have witnessed this exact behavior in this location dozens of times. Only difference is that I never witnessed a crash. I could be wrong, but I would a-l-m-o-s-t bet that I am not. If I am right, who picks up the tab for the barrier repair? If it was the result of some dangerous driver then I would like to see them billed for the fix.
What’s heart-warming is that the break-away barrier seems to have worked as designed and no one was hurt. Notice how the passenger cage of the car appears safe – still. Wow, safety engineering which works (both road and car) – that’s a good sign.
I say pick a lane and stick with it. I am tired of those people nearly causing an accident (everywhere) bc they can’t make a decision! If you go the wrong way then turn around, get back on the freeway, there is always a way out of it. Instead these people either wreck themselves or cause others (or nearly cause others) to wreck!
How can this happen when I’M the only one on the road? Or at least that’s how I drive.
People have issues merging here. They get too timid & then decide to move after their reasonable window of opportunity has passed.
That is a confusing little piece of road, you don’t see any signage until you are right up on the choices you have to make. I live in West Seattle but only need to use that onramp every couple months and I can never remember which lane I need to be in. More signage would really help.
It’s complicated by the fact that if you turn left from the usual turn lane from Andover to Delridge you have to suddenly get over into the right lane to go up onto the Bridge. Even though it’s signed, I don’t think most folks know that you can turn left from the right lane as well, which makes it much easier to zoom right up onto the Bridge.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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