Traffic alert: Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct reopens

7:19 PM: Another alert we’ve just received – here’s what Metro says about it:

Routes 21, 22, 54, 55, 56, 120 & 125 are delayed 15 – 25 mins due to southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct closure.

According to an SDOT alert, a crash is to blame, and there’s a “hanging guardrail,” which will take hours to fix – and is restricting northbound lanes too. 7:56 PM UPDATE: Here’s the full text from SDOT:

Due to damage caused by a vehicular collision on northbound SR99 in the vicinity of S Massachusetts St, southbound traffic on the Alaskan Way Viaduct is blocked and northbound traffic is restricted. Seattle Department of Transportation crews are en route to the scene to undertake repairs, which are estimated to take four or more hours at this point. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes north and south.

The vehicular collision created an oil spill and also caused a guardrail from a northbound lane of the viaduct to hang over the lower, southbound lanes. This hazard has forced the closure of southbound lanes until the hanging rail can be removed and the missing segment of rail can be replaced.

9:41 PM: The Viaduct is now fully open again.

Pat October 25, 2010 (7:22 pm)

Avoid at all costs. Getting from 4th and Columbia has taken 45 minutes and not on lower bridge yet

bob c October 25, 2010 (7:29 pm)

I went up Holgate to Beacon Ave and then back down onto West Seattle bridge. Took 15 minutes which is how long I sat on 1st Avenue in front of Sears without moving.

Admiral Janeway October 25, 2010 (7:47 pm)

It took me an hour to get home by bus. Arrived at the bus stop at 6:30. Got home at 7:30. First Avenue was a crawl. Surprisingly, traffic moved a little quicker once the bus got on Alaskan Way.

Aye Jay October 25, 2010 (8:02 pm)

I thought the demo of the Viaduct was in phase III.

Michelle W October 25, 2010 (8:04 pm)

99 is a MESS!

I just got home from Ballard. Something going on with Southbound 99 over the Aurora Bridge – 4 cop cars.

Battery street tunnel is also closed – cops out with flares.

Columbia onramp was open but they immediate divert cars right back off at Safeco.

FUN, FUN, FUN!

WSB October 25, 2010 (9:03 pm)

Thanks for all the firsthand reports. While the authorities put out the official overview reports, they don’t give the nuances – which you can. I’m on Capitol Hill at the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund hearing, which by a quirk of fate just happened to call for travel via I-5 – hadn’t heard about the Viaduct problems till after we got here – will see what we can see on the way home in a bit – TR

Busser October 25, 2010 (9:13 pm)

Open now

WSB October 25, 2010 (9:40 pm)

This always happens when I’m in transit. I can confirm the Viaduct’s open again – I’m parked on Alaskan Way and seeing the taillights heading south, plus SDOT has sent an advisory. Updating everything… TR

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