No obvious incidents – and we know it’s the late edge of the commute anyway – but multiple WSB’ers are suddenly reporting that bridge traffic is “worse than usual.” So we’re publishing this just to say that if you go in late – you might want to wait a while.
There looked to be back-ups on I-5 S coming from the north (of downtown).
It’s bad every day. 45 minutes to get to I5 from 35th.. About 2 miles. Insane.
Noticed the text for the Spokane Viaduct Construction webpage got updated 1/23. Not sure what is new. I see they are still using weasel words like “Spring 2012” and “Summer 2012” instead of hard dates.
Not surprised-it was bad at 635 this morning as the semis coming up from Spokane tried to get over and hold up traffic
It would be useful to know when the port is doing an significant truck event – at least people would know to avoid the low bridge then.
Why can’t the port ONLY do business at night? They tax us, then create huge traffic problems during the day.
It look me an hour and 4 minutes to get from Arbor Heights to downtown this morning via the bridge. Yesterday was a similar tale, but I went via 509 to 99 then. Clearly no good options these days other than to leave really early or late.
Isn’t getting on to the bridge usually slower on a rainy day just like today? A serious pain, but nothing out of the ordinary?
Very similar to yesterday, and like yesterday, I-90 eastbound was unusually backed up all the to 405.
I’ve wondered whether this is all (at least in part) the actual beginning of the 520-tolling impact. (The first few weeks of January were far from ordinary, between post-holiday routines and the total disruption due to weather.) I hope this isn’t the new normal!
I don’t think this is tolling related since I’ve had long commutes before tolling started. I agree, I 90 east is more congested in the AM than it was before tolling.
.
I hope all this work on the bridge (east and west bound) finishes soon and truley addresses the merges/choke points we have with 99 north, on ramp from Delridge, Harbor Island, etc..
I’ve lived in WS for about 12 years and have never seen it as consistently bad as it’s been for the past few months. It makes me wonder about all sorts of issues – concurrent major road work on multiple arterials (the bridge work and viaduct all at once), effects of tolling bleeding all the way to the westside, addition of so many condo and apartment buildings in West Seattle. What’s the solution? What does this do to our home values? I’ve been trying to be calm about it, but it’s a quality of life issue to go from a 20-ish minute schlep to a :40 – hour+ haul. WSB, any thoughts about the matter?
I don’t do the the communte and well do not like at all seeing the West Seattle where my grandparents lived the whole family, take a downword spiral. It really … yeah. Now, is the commute the overall congestion going to worsen and increase the stress level of some? Most likely. I, surprisingly don’t stress and react to it much but I am not in the thick of it like a large majority of you.
There are positives and WS is alot more community orientated then before, alot of it thanks to this web site. Its tough though and for an individual or couple invested in a house and property faced with enevitable growth in West Seattle and all that comes along with it. Hang in there. Those winter weekend bike rides along Alki and 10 minute walks to the grocery store and water shed creeks I really enjoy that and lots more. The boutiques and $4 cupcakes, nah. You want to increase your property value next time you go for that walk to where ever bring a bag along with you and pick up some trash and debris.
Don’t forget the impact that the additional apartments and condos built in the last few years have had. And how many more are in the planning stage?
Sorry, comment time is over.
| 17 COMMENTS