TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday, April 4

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:53 AM: The West Seattle-vicinity routes have no problems reported at the moment, but there’s one huge problem affecting traffic a bit farther north: A wrong-way crash has eastbound Highway 520 shut down at Montlake. WSDOT says that might last another hour or so. But eastbound I-90 is reported to be “running smoothly.”

8:15 AM: Outbound traffic is another matter – “Fed Up” says in comments that the bridge is “backed up from 35th to I-5.”

Fed up April 4, 2013 (8:14 am)

Bridge backed up from 35th to I 5. Fyi

WSB April 4, 2013 (8:15 am)

Thank you!

Jason K April 4, 2013 (8:51 am)

Worst traffic I’ve seen in months; bridge backed up nearly all the way up Admiral hill. Took 20 minutes just to get 1/2 way down before I turned around.

Shane April 4, 2013 (9:02 am)

It’s moving okay now, but still backed up

CandrewB April 4, 2013 (9:10 am)

There was an accident on the outbound bridge yesterday about 4:45pm, cops, a fire trucck, and two ambulences on the scene. Any news with that?

WSB April 4, 2013 (9:25 am)

CAB – We mentioned it in yesterday’s traffic roundup, but we have no further information beyond a brief mention for traffic purposes; it seemed to have cleared relatively quickly, which tends to be an indicator of no major injuries.

Jeff platt April 4, 2013 (9:13 am)

Its not just the accident
The way our streets have all been redone just magnify any one blockedge to epic proportions
Down with mayor mcbikelane

coffee April 4, 2013 (9:20 am)

Still seeing a backup for the Delridge entrance to the bridge..at 9:20 AM

Al April 4, 2013 (10:27 am)

Yeah, head-on crashes on the freeway that shut down all eastbound lanes for increasing amounts of single occupancy vehicles (yeah I know, I know, buses suck) certainly isn’t the cause of the problem. It’s all those bike lanes! ;-)

East Coast Cynic April 4, 2013 (11:31 am)

Jeff, I’ll say this for Mayor Mcbikelane, at least he favored extending light rail to WS before the Seattle DOT put the kibosh on that because we supposedly don’t have enough density to justify it.

How many more apartment projects? How much more traffic do we get before we qualify for light rail?

Or are we the black sheep of king county:)?

Planet Plastic April 4, 2013 (2:07 pm)

Got to love the irony of those who actually contribute to traffic blaming bikes and the mayor for the problems that they themselves are causing.

Lynn April 4, 2013 (2:14 pm)

So, I went into work late this morning. Caught the RR at the Junction around 11:30. There were two guys on board wearing all black, apparently fare enforcement officials, making everyone showing proof of payment (ORCA card, etc). This, on top of the proposed cut back of transit and the uncomfortably full buses, has me and my West Seattle friends/co-workers/neighbors wondering what type of employment opportunities there are in W. Seattle. Apparently, commuting to downtown for work is becoming less of an option, unless we decide to drive in.

WSB April 4, 2013 (2:15 pm)

Fare Enforcement officers have always rode the circuit – you just never know where they are going to show up. We have seen them in pairs and even trios at bus stops while driving by.

Jeff H April 4, 2013 (4:34 pm)

There was no backup on the lower bridge bike lane this morning around 8am. Made it to work (Interbay area) around 8:30am…same amount of time as always when riding a bike.
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I was one less car contributing to traffic congestion and there was one more seat on a bus. You’re welcome.
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If anyone who is willing and physically capable would like to learn about commuting to downtown by bicycle, please don’t hesitate to contact us. I would gladly meet with people and lead them to downtown (and up to Interbay) if there’s interest. There’s several of us who would be willing to do this.
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West Seattle Bike Connections

Jessica April 4, 2013 (4:40 pm)

@ Lynn – I agree completely. I’ve ridden the bus from West Seattle to downtown for 10 years and this is the worst change they have ever made. Every single one of my West Seattle bus riding friends would agree. Whoever designed this system does NOT ride the bus. Walking 6 extra blocks to get to the closest RR bus stop, always having to stand in the new and “improved” buses, (while trying to balance my bags and not fall over while holding a plastic wobbly handle) as every bus is standing room only and inching down 99 instead of re-routing off the brand new 4th exit – and designating a bus lane. How much did all of the fancy Rapid Ride bus stops with curb enhancements, curb side electronic fare machines, reader boards, lighting, new buses and hand held card readers for the enforcement officers cost? What a waste of money. Was all the complaining about the new tunnel a nice diversion for Metro to slide this by without a lot of discussion or god forbid, input from working professionals who actually ride the bus? The whole thing is crap and all it has done is make my car look like a better alternative.

Sorry, comment time is over.