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West Seattle traffic alert: This morning’s eastbound gridlock

June 7, 2011 8:42 am
|      123 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photo taken around 9:20 am, looking north on 35th SW by the Golf Course)
8:42 AM: More than a few WSB’ers have sent word it’s impossible out there this morning. There’s nothing on the West Seattle Bridge and no new closures, but apparently there is a problem somewhere north of on I-5 that has backed things up badly, and this is believed to be a spillover effect. 8:49 AM: Tracy Taylor from KING 5 is blaming – at least in part – the mega-celebrity motivational-speaker event at KeyArena for backing up the Mercer exit on I-5 but that may not be the only factor. So all we can say for now is, if you don’t know this already, it’s a snail’s pace out there. Seattle Times transportation reporter Mike Lindblom, a West Seattleite, tweeted that the signboard on Admiral said “45 minutes (to) I-5” as of about 15 minutes ago. 9:21 AM: Everything with motors and wheels is caught in the gridlock, though Water Taxi and bicycling are touted as running smoothly. Otherwise – Mike J says via Twitter that it took him an hour from WS to SODO, and that’s sounding fairly typical. We have an inquiry out to SDOT to see what the monitors in their traffic center are blaming for the reported mega-gridlock.

9:41 AM: And another potential wrinkle from the KeyArena event: Via Twitter, Joelle reported spotting a motorcade in the Seattle Center vicinity. Potentially for former First Lady Laura Bush, one of the participants? Seattle PD media unit’s Det. Mark Jamieson is checking but says she would definitely merit one (Secret Service protection). And the commute-nightmare stories keep pouring in, both via comments here and other channels like Facebook (facebook.com/westseattleblog) and Twitter, where Travis cites 1 hour, 13 minutes from Our Lady of Guadalupe to Chelan Café (by the low bridge).

10:22 AM: Cameras suggest that it’s finally eased. (Let us know if you experience otherwise.) We took a photo along 35th by the Golf Course after 9 am to capture some of the backup, and that is now atop this story, with the “live” (if you refresh) traffic cams moved down here in case you need a quick reference. No word yet from SDOT on analysis of this morning’s trafficmare. The KeyArena event is scheduled to end at 4:45 pm – so beware the EVENING commute.

(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge & eastbound Fauntleroy Way cams, more on the WSB Traffic page)

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123 Replies to "West Seattle traffic alert: This morning's eastbound gridlock"

  • mightymo June 7, 2011 (8:47 am)

    I was lucky during that last terrible traffic day that I was working from home. Today I was on Oregon long enough that I turned around and went home for the time being.

  • bc June 7, 2011 (8:49 am)

    Heard a seminar at Key Arena is sold out, causing massive downtown access issues. I turned around when the WS reader board showed 47 minutes to 99.

  • skeeter June 7, 2011 (8:51 am)

    50 minutes to get from Highpoint to Harbor Island. That’s less than 3 miles. I wish I could’ve abandoned the car and walked but that wasn’t an option.

  • Terri June 7, 2011 (8:51 am)

    Delridge is completely backed up because of an accident, we are told. Buses were very late at Pathfinder.

    • WSB June 7, 2011 (8:53 am)

      If there is a crash somewhere, it is injury-free, as there is nothing on the 911 log. We are rooting around Twitter, broadcast traffic reports, SDOT, etc., to try to see if there is a root cause, but it’s starting to sound like a convergence of multiple factors … TR

  • Xtine June 7, 2011 (8:52 am)

    I heard on the radio that there’s some big seminar at Key Arena this morning, and that is why traffic is snarled heading into the city. Just arrived at work (West Seattle) from Ballard using the express lanes. Drive time was double what it normally is, just from Ballard to downtown then traffic cleared. I’m guessing it’s a multitude of issues that are causing the heavy back-ups. Good luck to those driving in it ~ I don’t envy you!!

  • Weiss June 7, 2011 (8:58 am)

    Took an hour to get from 35th and Holden to the Viaduct.

  • laurakistan June 7, 2011 (9:03 am)

    I am on the 22 now heading north on avalon. Not moving to a crawl.

  • Paul Rosenberg June 7, 2011 (9:07 am)

    Lots of irritable people with me on the KC Metro 21 crawling up 35th toward Avalon. Bus driver is patiently answering the same dumb questions over and over…

    • WSB June 7, 2011 (9:16 am)

      Seems many buses have people circulating many rumors. Won’t repeat them since they could wind up getting cited as fact. But I think Adam’s “multiplicative effect on traffic” is the most plausible actual explanation … We’ll be asking SDOT what their monitors think/thought … TR

  • Adam June 7, 2011 (9:09 am)

    It took me 40 minutes to get from the Myers way entrance of 509 to the viaduct… That’s less than 3 miles. No accidents, no cars blocking lanes. It’s just solid traffic. All of the 3->2 lane merges have backed up into one another, causing an impressive multiplicative effect on traffic.

  • bsmomma June 7, 2011 (9:09 am)

    When I came down Admiral at 7:15 the reader board said SR99 14min 4th Ave 31min (yes, 31min) I5 NB 13min If you add those all up that was about how long it took me to get to 4th Ave this morning. Oh well! Atleast it’s not Monday anymore!

  • jvp June 7, 2011 (9:11 am)

    Left 26th and Holden at 7:30. After trying multiple options, we ended up heading home. Got back at 8:45. Really thankful for workplaces that are flexible with arrival times!

  • RobertSeattle June 7, 2011 (9:15 am)

    I found Monday’s commute unusually easy, but maybe that was just me. The 4th Avenue exit off of the Spokane viaduct saved my bacon today. The lights up 4th seem pretty well timed so it makes for a great alternate when I-5 is packed.

  • twicksea June 7, 2011 (9:17 am)

    About 8:10,nb 35th Ave traffic was at a standstill at Brandon. Turned around, cut over to Delridge, which was stopped around Juneau. 30 mins later I pulled a u turn and came home to wait it out and go in to the office late, since I’ll be late anyway. I took the bus yesterday, but today I need my car for my work. Can’t imagine bus commutes are doing well in today’s mess anyway. My bike commuting hubby called and said 99 actually looked clear, you just can’t get there. I just don’t see how one sold out event at Key Arena cripples West Seattle. And each time I read about another few hundred homes or townhomes planned for another parcel in W Seattle (173 new homes being added to High Point alone at 35th & Graham in the next 3 years), I think… how long until our quality of life in this great community is completely wrecked?

  • Glenda June 7, 2011 (9:18 am)

    Paul you are making me appreciate our quiet and docile bunch on my bus. :-) people are just reading rather patiently.

  • OrlaH June 7, 2011 (9:25 am)

    I tried around 8am this morning and turned around…glad I did. Is it safe to venture out again? Or should I wait for a while?

  • resident3 June 7, 2011 (9:25 am)

    what is it like now? the bridge cam looks clear.

  • CB June 7, 2011 (9:27 am)

    Welcome to life under McGinn.

  • E4M June 7, 2011 (9:29 am)

    “Multiplicative” is my new favorite word. I was late for multiplicative reasons.

  • JEM June 7, 2011 (9:29 am)

    Paul, I must be on your bus! At least they have finally stopped bugging the driver!

  • 35this35mph June 7, 2011 (9:31 am)

    Sounds like a crock ‘o shizzle to me:

    Per Key Arena’s website:

    Get Motivated Seminars

    The Get Motivated Seminar featuring America’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani; World Famous Soldier-Statesman, General Colin Powell and America’s Favorite Comedian, Bill Cosby is coming to the KeyArena at the Seattle Center. This day-long presentation will take place on Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

    Additional speakers will include Laura Bush, Former First Lady; Dan Rather, Award-Winning Journalist; Celebrated Four-Star General, General Stanley McChrystal; Hall of Fame Quarterback, Joe Montana and Brian Tracy, America’s Top Authority on Selling plus other renowned teachers and motivators.

    Among the speakers’ topics will be “Take Charge Leadership” (Powell); “The Tenacity to Persevere: How to Make it Through Any Crisis” (Giuliani); “How to Lead Your Team to Victory” (Montana); “Keys to Stability in Uncertain Times” (Bush).

    An entire office of people can attend this seminar for a day of training, inspiration and motivation that they will never forget!

    • WSB June 7, 2011 (9:40 am)

      35/35, we have that hotlinked, thanks. I have checked with SPD on a report of a motorcade, possibly for Laura Bush, and the media unit isn’t entirely sure but says she could certainly merit one … TR

  • OP June 7, 2011 (9:31 am)

    Even trying to go south toward Tukwila/Kent was a slog. Residual backup from everyone trying to find alternate routes, I suppose. The lineup just to get to the Highland Park hill was backed up on Holdman, almost all the way to the fire station/7-11 at 16th. Took me close to an hour to go from Admiral to Kent. I can’t imagine the mess my wife is sitting in (still) to get to South Lake Union. :(

  • K June 7, 2011 (9:31 am)

    Easily an hour to downtown today. Lots of people zooming down the bus lane illegally. I encourage everyone to call 206-625-5011 (SPD non emergency line) to report abusers.

  • laurakistan June 7, 2011 (9:32 am)

    Still on the 22 we have been stuck under bridge near delridge light but now moving a bit toward bridge on ramp.. I have been on bus an hour now from Raymond.

  • Spamela June 7, 2011 (9:35 am)

    Caught a bus at 8:30. Many thanks to our bus driver who thought fast and took the center lane down Avalon. We passed about 8 busses. We were only about 10-15 late to downtown. I just don’t know why other busses didn’t do the same. There really needs to be a buslane down Avalon. Somehow?

  • Nora June 7, 2011 (9:37 am)

    99 nb was bumper to bumper all the way past the USPS warehouse. Never seen it that bad.

  • angela June 7, 2011 (9:40 am)

    Took the 21 this morning from 35th & SW Myrtle at 8:24m. Just got into downtown at 9:36am!

  • fansman June 7, 2011 (9:41 am)

    Still stacked up on Delridge. Moving very slow. More of this to look forward to this Summer and beyond.

  • Kate June 7, 2011 (9:42 am)

    And, the bridge is up trying to get through the backway! nothing is moving.

  • Neighbor June 7, 2011 (9:46 am)

    @twicksea-with commutes like this don’t you think our community has already turned the corner? The city council doesn’t seem to think that an hour long commute from 10 miles outside the city core is enough. One of the biggest rational for living here for my family was to reduce our carbon footprint by having short commute, this has now been negated. Before all the bike to work smuggers start blathering there are reasons people cannot bike to work….

  • Sue June 7, 2011 (9:46 am)

    That motivational seminar is scheduled to end at 4:45 – so might just muck up driving around Seattle tonight if you’re out and about. Oh, and it’s got a satellite feed at ShoWare center in Kent too. https://www.getmotivated.com/city.aspx?a=5306

    • WSB June 7, 2011 (9:51 am)

      Thanks, Sue. I’d just mentioned that on Twitter. I know of at least one West Seattleite who’s there … Not sure of the turnouts at these events, that would be interesting (I’m sitting here thinking, people are laying the blame but what if there’s like only 400 people inside The Key … not likely I suppose) …

  • Jiggers June 7, 2011 (9:48 am)

    Thank gawd I moved.

  • sun*e June 7, 2011 (9:49 am)

    @twicksea – I totally agree with your comment about “how long until our quality of life in this great community is completely wrecked?” and I just posted this comment regarding the approval for another apt building to be built in West Seattle: The more residential places such as this are built, the more I worry about the impact this will have on our commute out of West Seattle. How many apartment buildings need to be built before DPD recognizes that improvements need to be made to our transportation before they approve these residential projects? Talk about an anxiety creator – adding more people to the already packed commute will only make it so much worse and, at this point, I really don’t see how it could possibly ever get better. :(
    .
    It doesn’t take much for our commute to be impacted. I swear a paper bag in the middle of the street would bring us all to a screeching halt already! AAAAAGGGGGHHHH!

  • Jiggers June 7, 2011 (9:50 am)

    The monorail would have been finished and helpful.

  • huh June 7, 2011 (9:52 am)

    Sounds like the event is certainly going to motivate people . . . just probably not in the way that the organizers might have originally intended.

  • CandrewB June 7, 2011 (9:56 am)

    Key Arena only holds 17,000 people. Sometimes there are twice that number at Qwest and Safeco during the weekday and it doesn’t cripple city traffic like this.

  • mightymo June 7, 2011 (9:58 am)

    So the traffic cams make it look much better, both on roads like Fauntleroy and the bridge itself. Is this true? I need to get to Georgetown at some point today…

  • sam-c June 7, 2011 (9:59 am)

    the lead in for today’s 9:00 am KUOW ‘weekday’ program was that the program topic/guest had changed due to “West Seattle traffic”

    • WSB June 7, 2011 (10:06 am)

      Sam-C, that’s funny. So who had been the guest, I wonder?
      .
      Soosan, the live camera pix atop this story look better. Fauntleroy eastbound on the way to the bridge past future Trader Joe’s does NOT have a backup right this second. And the bridge itself looks only to have the usual 99 exit. So the worst may be over! – TR

  • soosan June 7, 2011 (10:02 am)

    I have a final at UW at 12:30…is bridge traffic clearing? Google maps traffic is starting to show the bridge as “red” instead of the dreaded “black and red.”

  • Lauren June 7, 2011 (10:07 am)

    I used ALL of my sneaky back routes, took me about 45 minutes from Gatewood to First hill.
    Is the travel time info on the reader board available online, either here or on WADOT? Would be nice to check that BEFORE I get in the car, since if it’s this bad again, I might as well ride my bike.

  • Worried June 7, 2011 (10:13 am)

    We may be better off forming the “City of West Seattle”, similar to what Shoreline did. We can use our collective clout to put pressure on the County and State to pay attention to West Seattle needs. Just the threat of forming our own city could make the City of Seattle take notice. We need another Charlie Chong.

  • Suzy June 7, 2011 (10:15 am)

    1 hour to get from the junction to Pathfinder school on Pigeon Point. 8:40-9:40, what is typically a 10 minute commute.

  • K June 7, 2011 (10:17 am)

    It must still be bad out other. My sweetie left Genesee Hill at 8:45am and is just now getting to the Duwamish on the lower bridge. argh….

  • Susan June 7, 2011 (10:27 am)

    Would it offend ANYBODY if the city would permit big-crowd events in the stadiums to get under way only AFTER rush hour?? A rather simple solution to protect our fragile transportation “system.”

  • sgs June 7, 2011 (10:28 am)

    What is the expectation for the commute home? when does the seminar end?

  • datamuse June 7, 2011 (10:35 am)

    Re: incident on Delridge: Well, that explains the backup on Highland Park Way this morning. That NEVER happens. I was already late for work due to an early morning migraine and was definitely not amused! Fortunately I commute to Tacoma and was able to turn around and go down 509 instead. Sympathies to everyone who got stuck in it this morning.

  • Mags June 7, 2011 (10:38 am)

    Lower Bridge was up as well this morning for a time (approx. 8 am-ish) also contributing factor to W. Seattle exit snarl. I will say that I drove on Viaduct, through downtown (exited at Seneca) and right by Key Arena and traffic was only slightly heavier than normal with minimal delay. The major delay was trying to exit West Seattle, once I reached Viaduct at about 8:45 things were fine.

  • BH June 7, 2011 (10:40 am)

    Thanks for nothing, mega-celebrity Rudy Giuliani.

  • kari June 7, 2011 (10:41 am)

    Took me an hour and a half from Westwood to Georgetown this morning- usually a 20 min comute!

  • soosan June 7, 2011 (10:44 am)

    WSB–thanks for all the info–will let you know how it goes!

    BH–laughing!–I moved from NYC to Seattle in part to get away from Giuliani.

  • Mookie June 7, 2011 (10:47 am)

    On the police scanner, just heard a dispatcher mention that I-5 is “at a standstill” and that one officer had been stuck in traffic for 2 HOURS. (This was around 10:40 AM)

  • Westie June 7, 2011 (10:49 am)

    ThIs event ends at 4:45!!! I have canceled an appt cause I know I’ll never make it (or never make it home). Plan accordingly people.
    Wsb- maybe add a warning above.

  • jayaresea June 7, 2011 (11:02 am)

    i hit the stand-still traffic at about 8:30am…right around Camp Long on 35th. people in right lane were moving over to emptier left lane just so they could merge back into/cut off the right lane again minutes later. saw “47 min” to 99 on the board, so i turned around and headed back to trenton and took my bike (work in Cap Hill/CD). 99 looked more clear than normal while riding on East Marginal Way S (by then it was ~9:30am), which was surprising. i figured it had to mean an accident somewhere on the bridge.

  • This THIS is Bad June 7, 2011 (11:05 am)

    Think this is bad? Just wait until they actually begin viaduct-to-tunnel construction! Pray you’ll be working south or from home!

  • MaxB June 7, 2011 (11:11 am)

    I second Lauren’s question above:

    “…Is the travel time info on the reader boards available online, either here or on WDOT? Would be nice to check that BEFORE I get in the car…”

    Anybody? Thanks.

  • 2wheels a-go-go June 7, 2011 (11:16 am)

    I had to chuckle as I rode my bike under the signboard on Admiral announcing a 35-minute travel time to 99. I’d be sitting comfortably at my desk on Queen Anne by the time all those drivers reached the 99 off-ramp.

  • george June 7, 2011 (11:23 am)

    How quickly people forget how the Key filled up for Sonic games and “disrupted traffic at night”. Please people, this is the City Council’s solution to utilizing the Seattle Center with cultural events and validating the bailout from Clay-Clay.

  • george June 7, 2011 (11:24 am)

    Wow 2-wheels, 2 1/2 hours for the first “me biker” shot. A new record!!

  • RobertSeattle June 7, 2011 (11:25 am)

    Made “National” news on MSNBC

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43313206

  • rw June 7, 2011 (11:25 am)

    I left extra-early this a.m., at ab. 6:50, and was surprised at the viaduct backup from the I-5 junction to west of First Ave. I couldn’t figure out why it was backed up that much that early. Is that kind of backup even before 7 a.m. normal> Looks as if I was one of the “lucky” ones and would have missed several meetings if I had left much later.

  • carole June 7, 2011 (11:31 am)

    As one of the lucky ones who had June tab renewals and who paid for the monorail FOUR times, it sure would be nice to have a monorail running down the middle of the WS Bridge right now.

    I work in Kent and traffic around Showare was heavy also. The Kent P&R is more jammed than it has been in years and the attendees were filling up the garage at the RJC, leaving little room for jurors and litigants.

  • Soosan June 7, 2011 (11:58 am)

    Twenty minutes from Schmitz Park to UW…I’d say the rush is over for now!

  • george June 7, 2011 (12:04 pm)

    Good luck on the Final, nothing like a little extra stress :(

    So, is this what we can expect in the next 10-15 years as SLU gets built out? Does one event w/17k people really blow up all the transportation in Seattle? We are helpless.

  • Yardark June 7, 2011 (12:19 pm)

    Time to buy a bike.

  • Bob Loblaw June 7, 2011 (12:19 pm)

    Wow. Every time I tell people “that was the worst commute yet” another one comes along to top them. Very thankful for being able to turn around and work from home. And although I see one person tried, kudos to you all for not turning this into a bikes vs. cars pissing match.
    .
    I still find it hard to believe that one event at Key Arena could have caused this. There have been commute-time events there in the past, right? I guess we’ll see this evening. Maybe not, since folks who work downtown will likely adjust their departures remembering what they faced this morning.

  • AO June 7, 2011 (12:25 pm)

    I actually saw a guy relieving himself on the side of the freeway today, on the grass part. So that is what it’s come to.

  • yacman June 7, 2011 (12:26 pm)

    This really needs some investigation as to the cause. The Sonics would occasionally sell out the Key and I have never seen a backup like this. Never.

  • BMD June 7, 2011 (12:27 pm)

    It just feels like nobody is looking at the big picture. It took me four times longer than my usual commute and I kept running into additional small roadblocks and pinch-points, including a road crew that was repainting lines during rush hour. It’s time for some sort of centralized “Traffic Czar” who can look at the entire system on a day by day basis and say “hey, we have games at the stadia, work on 99, sorry, you can’t close down XYZ road that same day.”

  • datamuse June 7, 2011 (12:32 pm)

    There seems to be a related event going on in Kent. Not sure how that would’ve contributed but maybe?

  • Hebb June 7, 2011 (12:53 pm)

    This would have been so much better if we had the Deep Bore Tunnel. Wouldn’t it?

  • Lauren June 7, 2011 (12:57 pm)

    Per my question re: online travel times, I checked the WSDOT page, no love. No option for west seattle to downtown.
    Is that readerboard visible in any of the traffic cams?

    Also, bike-a-go-go person? That sort of comment really is’t very helpful, unless your aim is to piss people off.

    • WSB June 7, 2011 (1:10 pm)

      Lauren, in the advisory I just published, the city suggests the Travelers Information Map. Yes, it has the travel times – they’re one of the options you can click on the right side.
      http://web5.seattle.gov/travelers/
      .
      I have asked the city if this will ever be embeddable, as it would be great to link in coverage like this – it is permanently linked from the top of our Traffic page (which is admittedly a jumble of stuff but on the improvement list).
      https://westseattleblog.com/west-seattle-cams

  • MEJ June 7, 2011 (1:04 pm)

    My thanks to the folks at the GET MOTIVATED seminar for screwing up Seattle’s fragile traffic system with their 1980s-style motivational tent show. Fortunately, it’s only here a single day. But if you know anyone living in Detroit, Rochester (NY), or Wichita, you would be doing them a kindness if you warned them that this daylong hype-athon will be gridlocking traffic in their communities in the weeks ahead.

  • Losarayas June 7, 2011 (1:09 pm)

    Spent 90 minutes in car trying 35th, then delridge and finally thru WC to 99. All were a mess. Drove home got on my bicycle and got to First Hill in 40 minutes.

  • Denise June 7, 2011 (1:12 pm)

    MEJ – your comment is hilarious…. thanks for giving me a laugh after my morning traffic-from-hell experience.

  • RobertSeattle June 7, 2011 (1:14 pm)

    OT, but those Bing Maps SDOT uses are “old” – the 4th Avenue off ramp isn’t shown nor is the overpass over the train tracks at Royal Brougham.

  • 2wheels a-go-go June 7, 2011 (1:19 pm)

    YEAH LOSARAYAS!!! That’s what I’m talkin’ about!
    .
    And Lauren, please don’t be angry at me. Be angry at everyone else in a car for being complicit in creating today’s traffic jam. My fellow cycling commuters and I had no part in it.

  • MEJ June 7, 2011 (1:25 pm)

    The GET MOTIVATED tent show should make amends to the city of Seattle for screwing up the morning commute so badly. I propose that the organization bring back their lineup of talking heads from the worlds of sports, politics, business, sales, and the military, and give a new spin on their motivational talks.

    For example:

    – Former NY Mayor Rudy Giulani: How to lead during trying circumstances on Hwy 99.

    – Former NFL Quarterback Joe Montana: How to create a winning mindset when stuck in gridlocked traffic.

    – Ex-First Lady Laura Bush: How to survive in times of transition between the West Seattle Bridge and Hwy 99.

    – Former CBS anchor Dan Rather: How to maintain excellence while avoiding burnout in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

    – Former TV comic Bill Cosby: How to use humor to disarm drivers butting in line.

    I’m motivated already. How about you?

  • Alex June 7, 2011 (1:31 pm)

    I just wish there were a way to punish those people who cut in line (getting in the I-5 northbound lane at the last second, using the bus-only lane, I have a million examples). In many cases it’s not even techinically illegal, just rude…
    .
    In my opinion, this should be a death-penatly offense. I have made peace with the sad fact that I am destined to sit in ever-worsening traffic, but it drives me crazy seeing these self-important jacka$$es cutting in at the last second, like they’re better than everyone else. What’s worse, when they suddenly stop to cut in they block traffic in the lane they cut over from, unnecessarily slowing down traffic for thousands of other people who are innocently trying to get to I-5 southbound.
    .
    Can we make a law about this? Death penalty? Who’s with me?!

  • george June 7, 2011 (1:31 pm)

    MEJ, lets stop and think a minute. The Get Motivated show isn’t really to blame for bringing the city to a standstill. Its really the Unmotivated who are attending the show. The Unmotivated are the ones:
    – who clog the left lane on the freeways.
    – who stop in the middle of intersections.
    – who don’t use turn signals.
    – who speed and upset the slower crowd.
    – who go too slow and create road rage.
    – who talk and text on the phone while driving.
    – who don’t know their way around town and drive in circles, lost and clogging traffic around Seattle Center.
    These Unmotivated people are the ones to blame, not The Motivators.

  • Jenn June 7, 2011 (1:50 pm)

    Let’s block the bridges some weekend and only let West Seattle residents through with a valid West address. Wouldn’t Alki be great? Linclon Park and the ride to Vashon or Southworth would be delightfully peaceful.
    Twicksea is right, this high density living has gotten out of control particularly when the buses and roads fail to keep up.

  • JAT June 7, 2011 (1:51 pm)

    I have to take issue with CB at 9:27 – “Welcome to life under McGinn.” You may not like him (for whatever reason), but you can’t possibly blame a single day of bad traffic on him. In fact, if he had his way a lot more of us would be riding transit and bicycles and traffic would be a lot better (generally speaking). Your sweeping illogic makes me wonder what else you’re wrong about.

  • MEJ June 7, 2011 (1:53 pm)

    Yep, took me 90 minutes to get over the WS Brige and into downtown today, and, YES!!!, I am motivated. So motivated, that I went to GET MOTIVATED’s Web site to learn a little more about this itinerant national hype-athon. Here’s what I found:

    ” … The GET MOTIVATED Seminar is an action-packed, fun-filled, explosive, exciting, inspiring, skill-building business event that is world famous for its mega-watt superstar speakers and spectacular stage production. This blockbuster one-day seminar will give you proven strategies to sharpen your business skills, ignite your motivation, accelerate your effectiveness and increase your income!”

    At $225@, I’m sure GM made a ton of money (with a little bonus from the teleseminar ticket sales). But who cares about Seattle? You GM guys are already on a jet to Detroit.

  • sks June 7, 2011 (2:07 pm)

    where’s the monorail I voted for three times???

  • george June 7, 2011 (2:28 pm)

    Just be happy it didn’t rain today! (yet)

  • RickM June 7, 2011 (2:52 pm)

    Being a smug cyclist is very unbecoming. I pounded the pavement for years. I was even a bike messenger for a few. Being a trend hopping, fair weather, weekday warrior, desk-jockey-in-spandex poser earns you zero cred in my book. Next!

  • 2wheels a-go-go June 7, 2011 (3:05 pm)

    Yes RickM, we all know how untrendy bike messengers are. That’s why they all dress so uniquely, drink ironically hip beer (PBR), and ride a vast array of bicycle types — you know, like fixies and… uh… fixies. Nothing trendy about any of that.
    .
    For the record, I started bike commuting in 1990 when my car engine died and I couldn’t afford to fix it. I sold it for parts, bought a bike and never looked back. I log about 8,000 miles per year commuting (rain or shine or snow), racing and touring. If that makes me a poser [sic], so be it.

  • Melusine62 June 7, 2011 (3:15 pm)

    I was on the 21 that was supposed to arrive downtown about 9:00 and I didn’t hear anyone blaming the driver–just the lack of planning on Metro/the City’s part. Today was especially awful, but the lack of accurate planning would certainly include the general unreliability of the 21, which gets more and more off schedule as the day goes on, to the point its pickup times are often nearly random.

  • Yardark June 7, 2011 (5:19 pm)

    A huge thank you to everyone who took public transit, walked, or biked today. No blame to those that slogged it today in their own cars, though. I’m hoping that one of these days all those other options will continue to improve until they appeal to ya!

  • RickM June 7, 2011 (5:34 pm)

    2wheels, I was wearing a Zo Bag before Timbuk 2 was even a brand, wouldn’t know a fixed gear from a unicycle and only drink expensive scotch. Next!

  • twicksea June 7, 2011 (6:00 pm)

    I applaud and admire the bike commuters, but do get tired of that somehow being the default solution for a lack of coordinated planning between urban density infill and transportation systems. Not everyone can ride a bike to work. Not to mention that my husband does, and he’s a fairly experienced rider and biking evangelist, and he says the w seattle bike commute has gotten so hairy through the construction zone that he no longer feels comfortable encouraging other possibly less experienced folks to ride. He’s invited our pro-bike Mayor to join him on his ride to see first hand exactly what the conditions are like, no response yet from that camp. Re this am, I don’t fault the S Center for renting out the Key–the problem goes so far beyond that. Like Neighbor above, I think that living within 12 miles of a our urban core should mean I have reasonable transport options that work. Bus, rail, and yes, even cars. And can we stop opening the lower bridge during peak commute times already? My commute home tonight took an hour from south of Safeco Field to 35th & Avalon via the (apparently closed) lower bridge.

    • WSB June 7, 2011 (6:09 pm)

      Twicksea – You may recall, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen pushed the Coast Guard to cut down on if not ban bridge-raising during commute peak hours. The Coast Guard twice said no.

  • Lauren June 7, 2011 (6:07 pm)

    Oh, I am a cyclist myself, so I’m not mad at my fellow humans on 2 wheels, just the smug condescending attitude evinced by SOME of them. Cycling is not always feasible for a multitude of reasons, so I get pissed when I hear someone tsking about how everyone should just hop on a bike, or crowing about their “easy” bike commute. If fellow cyclists want widespread community support, perhaps they should attempt to refrain from what seems like deliberately poking large segments of that community on forums such as this. /end rant/.

    WSB, thanks for the link, I will test it.

  • brizone June 7, 2011 (6:18 pm)

    Get used to this, it’s what things will look like a lot of the time with the tunnel, which will be permanently down to two lanes.

    Everything will be backed up as people divert to surface streets at 1st & 4th to avoid $8-10 round trip tolls.

  • CandrewB June 7, 2011 (6:20 pm)

    What is the reason the Coast Guard gave for saying no? Just because they can?

  • twicksea June 7, 2011 (6:28 pm)

    Thanks WSB–I did vaguely recall someone tried to address it, I forgot it was Councilmember Rasmussen. I guess given our current and foreseeable future commuting challenge I’d like to see someone with clout refuse to accept a no! Or a W Seattle citizen’s revolt..hmm, how do we revolt against the coast guard, exactly?

  • sam-c June 7, 2011 (6:53 pm)

    I didn’t quite catch the name on the rescheduled KUOW guest ( a musician) but they said the segment would be recorded and played at a later date. just made me laugh- a program change due to ‘west seattle traffic’

  • CandrewB June 7, 2011 (6:56 pm)

    I could see the waterway taking precedence back in the early 20th century when this policy was probably created and horseless carriages were still a curiosity. However, some 100 years later its time someone tell the CG boats are no longer economically in first place.

  • J242 June 7, 2011 (7:26 pm)

    And that’s why I leave for work at 6:30AM even if I don’t have to be there until 9. I’d rather get a jump on my workday or at worst case, sit in my car and read a book than be stuck in traffic. I am really worried about what the traffic will be like when they force through this abomination of a viaduct replacement (the tunnel) actually happens.

  • Matt June 7, 2011 (7:41 pm)

    Changes to 99 have made me consider bike commuting. I made the leap this week, and I’m psyched! My wife told me about the hell commute–90 minutes to westlake, while I was already at my office Fremont.

  • m June 7, 2011 (8:06 pm)

    I find it hard to believe that, this huge traffic jam was caused just by the Seminar, which started at 8am and traffic was backed up passed 10:30am. There was a traffic jams, from I-5, 599, 99, in all directions. I’ve never seen anything like it. Everyone in Seattle, I feel like today was just a taste of how traffic will be once the Viaduct is closed.

  • Jiggers June 7, 2011 (8:28 pm)

    McGinn’s plan is working. He’s forcing you to ride a bike.

  • cmc June 7, 2011 (8:39 pm)

    @Alex: I love it!

  • Kelly June 7, 2011 (9:05 pm)

    Of all the days in all the cities, they had to pick this one. We were supposed to be at school by 8:15 this morning on Capitol Hill in order to catch the bus for my daughter’s end of year 7th grade camping trip. Missed it by a long shot. I tried every which way to get across that darn bridge including heading south to Burien and trying I5. I ended up having to drive her to camp in Olympia!

  • Natalie June 7, 2011 (9:15 pm)

    Took 2 hours and 15 minutes to get to McCaw Hall this morning. When I left at 7:30 I thought I’d have plenty of time to get to the meeting at 9:30. I was wrong.

  • argiles June 7, 2011 (9:35 pm)

    All for a motivational speech. Ughhhhh This mornings commute was horrible and thanks to the gridlock everywhere I got a flat tire. Yes, it was my fault for u-turning and hitting the hole in the road which then caused a hole in my tire but the roads have alot to be desired along with traffic flow into the city and all I was trying to do was get to 509.

    Guess that will teach me to leave ridiculously early for work in the future.

  • foy boy June 7, 2011 (9:36 pm)

    Its a plot against westseattle. They send city workers out and then they pretend to stall and screw traffic. Its mayor nickels inside way for revenge. HAHA

  • denbol June 7, 2011 (10:02 pm)

    the people who manage this city should be ashamed.

  • 2wheels a-go-go June 7, 2011 (11:46 pm)

    RickM, your unique brand of coolness is indeed impressive, and I bow to your obscure branding reference, but you might want to check with your dad first about what it *really* means to be hip:
    .
    http://dadsaretheoriginalhipster.tumblr.com/
    .
    And being smug about cycling is no less pathetic than endlessly whining about traffic problems. For those that lay blame on the the city for its lack of foresight, I’d implore you to aim your critique inward and ask what each of you can do to solve this problem individually. I agree, biking to work is not a feasible option for everyone (that’s the usual tired response to something I never said, or even implied). But for a large chunk of the population who currently drive to work, a simple lifestyle change is all it takes to rid yourself of the headaches you so fervently harp about in this forum.

  • RickM June 8, 2011 (5:47 am)

    2wheels, the evidence of your superiority just continues to mount. Should we get you your own thread where people can shower you with praise or will you be needing your own blog? Tell me, when you are patting yourself on the back all the way on your ride to work, is it challenging to throw up your hand signals? How does that work?

  • alkistu June 8, 2011 (9:15 am)

    Wow, Some shots being taken at bicycle riders (SOME may deserve it). But how irrational (and smug) The Get Motivated conference should have motivated there followers to use a bicycle. That may have improved things. I’d say the real reason you hear bicycle transportation humans touting there lifestyle is BECAUSE IT IS GREAT! Healthy! FUN! and is a very untapped resource. The list of positive effects on local community is too long to list here. BTW Spokespeople West Seattle has been teaching cyclists to transition into the car world safely and with a HUGE emphasis on cooperation with cars. Come to think of it the lack of cooperation could be a big cause of daily congestion in this town.

  • 2wheels a-go-go June 8, 2011 (11:10 am)

    I require no praise, nor have I asked for it here. What I seek, though, is for people to consider a new paradigm for how they move themselves around.
    .
    If there is any self-importance about me, it is my hope that someone sitting in their car stuck in traffic will see a cyclist fly freely by and suddenly think “why the hell am I sitting here wasting my time and money?”

  • I Wonder June 8, 2011 (11:25 am)

    2-wagg, by posting your holier than thou thoughts about the smugness of the traffic problems people encountered, you are praising yourself. Don’t kid your self-importance.

  • Yardark June 8, 2011 (6:37 pm)

    For those that can’t use public transit or walk or bike to where they need to be, there’s always ride-sharing:
    http://www.avego.com/
    https://zebigo.com/landing.php

  • K June 8, 2011 (7:55 pm)

    I wish the mess yesterday was a one-time only issue. I’ve had the sad commute from West Seattle to Factoria for over a year and in the past month have had repeated 1 to 1.5 hour morning commutes. I convinced myself last month it was a rare occassion. It’s becoming routine. Key Arena event may have been part of the cause yesterday, but what are the reasons at least once a week, almost every week for the past month or two? Something bigger is brewing and WHAT is the city doing about it?

    I have NEVER driven to work until having the god awful commute to Factoria from W Seattle. Until Seattle implements a public transportation from W Seattle (and other large communities) to the eastside, it’s nearly impossible to dump the car and leverage public transportation.

  • Yardvark June 8, 2011 (11:11 pm)

    Agreed, K. Getting to the eastside using public transit is ridiculous. But to me, the cars already on the road every morning actually seem to be the best public transportation opportunity for West Seattle. Why bother lookIng at more expensive options if people aren’t even going to utilize what’s already there? We need to be using those cars more efficiently.

Sorry, comment time is over.