TRAFFIC/TRANSIT, MONDAY: I-5 ramps closed; no Water Taxi; Metro changes

(“Live” cam looking at the eastbound West Seattle Bridge; more cams here)
6 AM: We’re watching traffic more closely than usual this morning, because WSDOT’s continuing to work on the I-5 Spokane Street Interchange Special Bridge Repair project, which means:

*Eastbound West Seattle Bridge ramps to I-5 are closed
*Eastbound West Seattle Bridge ramp to Beacon Hill is closed
*You have to exit at 4th Avenue S. if you’re not exiting at NB 99 or 1st Ave. S.
*At 4th, WSDOT promises a trooper/flagger and adjusted signal timing

They’re ahead of schedule, and expecting to reopen the ramps by 3 pm today, but till then, you’ll have to detour or use alternate routes. Detours for getting to I-5 are outlined here. (Or from south West Seattle, take Highland Park Way to get to NB 99 and, at the north end of the 1st Avenue S. Bridge, take the Michigan exit to reach I-5.)

Also this morning:

*First commute since the Metro “service change” on Saturday; biggest change, Route 50 – here are full details
*No Water Taxi service because of the Presidents Day holiday
*School’s out for most (if not all); Seattle Public Schools resume classes tomorrow

We’ll add updates; yours are appreciated too (if you can comment or text/call – 206-293-6302 – legally & safely, e.g. as a passenger, or once you get to your destination). Thanks!

4:41 PM NOTE: As published in a separate update, the I-5 ramps did reopen before 3 pm. And the day has been devoid of traffic trouble.

4 Replies to "TRAFFIC/TRANSIT, MONDAY: I-5 ramps closed; no Water Taxi; Metro changes"

  • Eddie February 18, 2013 (11:44 am)

    I was wrong. Looks like this turned into a non-event. (I had predicted that the closed ramps on Monday morning would be “one for the ages” in terms of traffic messes).

    • WSB February 18, 2013 (11:51 am)

      I’m kind of surprised too. I wasn’t expecting Trafficmageddon *but* thought it would be at least a little sludgy. Glad it wasn’t! Without lots of advance warning (besides us, we know a couple TV stations dug into this too; it was a slow week last week and there were more than a few previews), might have been.

  • AE February 18, 2013 (12:20 pm)

    I think the holiday had a lot to do with it.

  • RichWSeattle February 18, 2013 (2:08 pm)

    I agree with AE. Even my office building with its normally-busy food places and coffee shops was quiet today.

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