Update: West Seattle Bridge reopens after crash shutdown

Checking out multiple reports that the eastbound West Seattle Bridge is closed right now because of at least one crash. Witnesses say they’re seeing a vehicle on its side. 6:45 PM UPDATE: Witnesses say this crash is near the Walking on Logs curve. The fire/medic response for it already has closed; there was an earlier one further along the eastbound lanes, about an hour ago, and that call also has closed. City traffic cameras are not currently showing the bridge beyond the Fauntleroy entrance, so they’re not of use right now in determining its status. 7:04 PM UPDATE: The crash scene is cleared; police are reopening the bridge.

alkilover June 20, 2010 (6:29 pm)

From 35th and fauntelroy we heard the cops saying 4 car crash on loud speaker, walked down to over pass and only thing we can see is flashing lights. Hope everyone is ok

rob June 20, 2010 (6:34 pm)

There was an earlier accident that closed the right hand land just toward the bottom of the entrance from West Seattle near the steel mill. There was a policeman on-scene that had one lane closed about 200 yards up from the accident scene. This resulted in a merging of the lanes on slick roads and high speeds which resulted in a second crash just in front of the police car.

rob June 20, 2010 (6:41 pm)

Oh, by the way, the new sign near the West Seattle Stadium that’s suppose to warn of a bridge closure wasn’t even ON. Nice expenditure of money!

WSB June 20, 2010 (6:43 pm)

Those signs aren’t supposed to warn of short-term problems like this, fwiw.

rob June 20, 2010 (6:51 pm)

Really? Then what is the purpose of the sign? Define what a long term problem is.

WSB June 20, 2010 (7:13 pm)

I should amend that. A, depends on which sign you mean. If you mean the ITS signs that have not been activated yet to my knowledge, they are for the 99 corridor, explained here
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr99/its/
.
So far, in relatively continuous observation, a short shutdown like that might pop up on SDOT’s radar on a weekday but not on a weekend. They aren’t even tweeting on weekends currently
http://twitter.com/seattledot
.
But I’d recommend feedback. Just because that does not appear to be in their current plan doesn’t mean it won’t or couldn’t. Notes to the effect of “the bridge was closed because of a crash and using that sign would have helped drivers” could go a long way. Here’s the online feedback form
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/citizen_response.htm

SnooterFish June 20, 2010 (9:08 pm)

Awww, that’s not fun WSB. I’d rather just complain on a blog. Thanks for the great reporting.

Katie June 21, 2010 (3:58 pm)

We drove by that yesterday right after it happened. How did the car end up on it’s side?!? Very scary looking! Anyone know more? What happened to driver and/or passengers of the first crash?

Sorry, comment time is over.