Traffic alert: Truck wreck causes low bridge (etc.) mess

(photo added 9:20 am, thanks to David)
ORIGINAL REPORT: Trying to get to a “heavy rescue” 911 call at 11th/Spokane (map), Harbor Island vicinity, we are stuck in a mess near the Delridge approach to the low bridge, and we see police on the low bridge. Stay away at all costs, it’s gridblock, even to try to turn west back onto W Marginal. UPDATE: Just heard it’s an overturned semi (photo above, added 9:20 am), so that’s why the low bridge is blocked before you get to the scene. Trying to get west onto West Marginal or SW Spokane back toward the rest of WS – the problem is a huge amount of diverted semitruck traffic trying to get up onto the high bridge the other way. Gridlock as a result. This city camera has a partial view of the backup west of the crash, Marginal/Chelan. ADDED 9:31 AM: Two of our pics taken as we came off Delridge into the jammed intersection at Delridge/Marginal/Spokane – police officer at blocked west end of low bridge, followed by the truck-dominated traffic viewed facing north.

Odd irony that today is the start of the Spokane Street work we’ve been reminding you about – and in fact we were about to head to check out the start of the detour, just as we got word of this – but that’s happening about a mile east, and this crash had NOTHING to do with it. Just heard on the radio that this may not be cleared until about 10:15; we’ll post updates as we get them. (Admiral and Fauntleroy approaches are obviously your better bet to get on the high bridge but with the low bridge out of commission, they’re likely slower too.) 9:45 AM UPDATE: Got a note from Hawk, who’s on a Route 21 Metro bus “that was re-routed all the way down to the 1st avenue bridge” – a reminder that this is affecting buses too. 9:52 AM UPDATE: Bike commuter Simon sent the following photo looking back westward toward the wreck scene, and notes that bicyclists/pedestrians are being allowed across the low bridge.

10:13 AM UPDATE: In comments, another West Seattle bike commuter, Aaron, says he saw the truck topple: “I watched this all go down, it was surreal. Not sure what caused the truck to lose balance, but as I was coming over the lower level bridge on my bike, the truck appeared to drop down off the curb, sway, and then ease over on its side. Driver was able to climb out and appeared unharmed.” 10:36 AM UPDATE: Just confirmed this with a drive through the area – the low bridge has reopened and the gridlock near the West Seattle-side approach has cleared.

Peter September 16, 2008 (9:42 am)

Sure seems like a lot of trucks are flipping on their sides.

Aaron September 16, 2008 (10:09 am)

I watched this all go down, it was surreal. Not sure what caused the truck to lose balance, but as I was coming over the lower level bridge on my bike, the truck appeared to drop down off the curb, sway, and then ease over on it’s side. Driver was able to climb out and appeared unharmed. Stopped to call 911 and another cyclist told me “that’s a bad place to stop”. Dumbass.

Pablo September 16, 2008 (5:56 pm)

This happened right in front of me this morning and here’s pretty much what went down. I was stopped at a red light at the first traffic signal you come to crossing the bridge from West Seattle. It was slightly annoying because no one was turning left onto the bridge but just before the light changed, this semi pulling a cargo container came around the corner way too quickly. I’m going to assume here that he was trying to beat the yellow because the light turned green immediately after he rolled onto his side. I’m also going to guess because of how it went over that he was pulling an empty container and those things go over easily but are certainly heavy enough to take the cab over with it. I’m glad to hear that the guy made it out okay and hopefully he learned that it isn’t worth making the light if you lay your truck on its side to do it.

Darren September 16, 2008 (6:09 pm)

I saw it as it happened. The driver was going too fast and it looked like it was going to tip over and I thought it was going to go back but it was very slow as it tipped over. I ran out of my car and got there as the driver was climbing out of the truck. He was shaken but didnt seem to be hurt.

Scott B. September 18, 2008 (6:05 am)

Just another stupid truck driver. I wish we had more police/troopers who could help keep them in line. Those container haulers for the Port of Seattle are a menace.

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