2 traffic notes: Bridge inspection today; I-5 crash update

(Latest “live” picture looking at eastbound WS Bridge – refresh page for newest image)
TRAFFIC NOTE #1: As announced last week, today’s the day SDOT plans to inspect the west end of the West Seattle Bridge – the Fauntleroy Expressway section, which has been getting an earthquake-safety retrofit since last year – which means “rolling slowdowns” between 8 am and 3 pm. Here again is how they explain it:

The inspection team will establish short-term lane closures of the right-hand lane using truck-mounted traffic warning devices. The inspection will begin near West Seattle and move westbound. The inspection team will make short-term (15 minutes) stops at any given location along the bridge deck. After completing the westbound route the team will then inspect eastbound, toward Downtown Seattle, also along the right hand lane. The entire inspection will be completed by 3:00 p.m.

TRAFFIC NOTE #2, ADDED AT 7:26 AM: Not sure how long this will last, but we just caught word of a truck crash on northbound I-5 at the Ship Canal Bridge that is causing problems through downtown – so if you usually take I-5, be forewarned, it’s slower going right now, and traffic reporters are advising 99 as an alternative, so that may be busier than usual.

8:06 AM UPDATE: WSDOT says the I-5 crash scene is clear now, but the backup will take a while longer to clear since it’s heavy-traffic commute time.

7 Replies to "2 traffic notes: Bridge inspection today; I-5 crash update"

  • Rob April 30, 2012 (7:49 am)

    30 minutes to get from Convention Center to 520, Traffic barely moving, Thank God I am moving in 125 days.

  • rats April 30, 2012 (8:21 am)

    Avoid the bridge right now it’s horrible eastbound!!!!!!!

  • Betsy April 30, 2012 (8:35 am)

    Stalled car left lane eastbound just before I5 on ramp. Police on the scene. Causing right lane eastbound to be VERY slow as cars pass stalled vehicle. 35+ minutes across bridge just now.

  • Jennifer April 30, 2012 (9:04 am)

    What was I thinking buying a home in west seattle? Just praying we can rent the house out and move.

  • WSTroll April 30, 2012 (9:15 am)

    Wtf. Annoyed. 25 min and we can’t get to 99.

  • watertowerjoey April 30, 2012 (9:37 am)

    1 hour from Junction area to 5th and Marion. Unreal.

    Stop & Go from the steel mill to work. Bridge, 1st avenue, 4th avenue.

    No wrecks that I could see – although they may have been cleared.

    When are you idiots going to either:

    1) Change your hours of work!

    2) Start riding the bus!

    So my commute can improve… :~)

  • Sonic April 30, 2012 (10:20 am)

    It didn’t help that the lower bridge opened during the height of all the traffic…..

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