TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday notes

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:28 AM: Be careful out there – just had a cloudburst 15 minutes or so ago. And if you are heading for I-90, be aware that there have been problems in the Mount Baker tunnel, including one blocking two eastbound lanes just reported by WSDOT.

8:16 AM UPDATE: From comments – the Admiral approach to the bridge is “backed up all the way to the viewpoint.”

8:38 AM UPDATE: More updates/observations in comments – ugly just about everywhere, at least in part a domino effect from a particularly jammed-up morning on I-5. Remember that the WSB Traffic page – always linked beneath the image atop this daily update – includes views like this one:

Unfortunately, while the city has multiple views heading toward the bridge on the Fauntleroy side, there’s nothing publicly viewable from the Admiral approach. So comments from there (when you can safely share them – NOT while driving; thanks!) are the only “views” we get on that side.

Add August 27, 2013 (8:12 am)

Onramp to WS bridge backed up on admiral all the way to the viewpoint. Ugh!

Fed up August 27, 2013 (8:21 am)

Faunt backed up to OR. Cant get on to Faunt again because people are blocking the intersection. It’s a mess today!

GenHillOne August 27, 2013 (8:23 am)

And there’s no left turn at Luna douchebags!

Notme August 27, 2013 (8:24 am)

This sucks.i have been on admiral way over a half hour, and I’m only half way down.

Arbor heights August 27, 2013 (8:24 am)

At 7 this morning the traffic light at Barton and 35th was flashing red.

Stephanie August 27, 2013 (8:26 am)

Waiting for the C Line on Avalon. Traffic is backed up all the way up Admiral and isn’t moving. Ugh

TM August 27, 2013 (8:27 am)

Likewise, other entry backed up to Fauntleroy/Alaska, lower bridge sign said closed. Super slow, guessing 25 mins to 99

Eugene August 27, 2013 (8:32 am)

Backed up from Avalon as well. I’m on the 21E.

Tanej August 27, 2013 (8:33 am)

It’s somewhat backed up at 35th & Fauntleroy also. Quite slow traffic!

Dex August 27, 2013 (8:46 am)

Headed west back to West Sea at 7:40 am I saw the backup eastbound from I5 up Fauntleroy to Alaska (and possibly more behind that) – noticed 1 car per vehicle!! Wonder how many of those folks “could” take Metro. With the plan for so many more condos/apts in West Sea folks better get ready for even worse traffic (and parking) or start using public transportation more!

Fed up August 27, 2013 (8:50 am)

Abt an hr to I 5 N.

WSB August 27, 2013 (9:02 am)

Yikes!
.
Via Twitter, Mike @mjtwit says heading in via the 1st Avenue South Bridge to 99 was “tolerable” – if anyone who sees this hasn’t left yet (or turned around and went home for a while) … TR

Ack! August 27, 2013 (9:15 am)

Thanks everyone and especially WSB. I only recently starting commuting at this hour (I used to leave WS around 7). Please tell me this traffic is REALLY not the norm?!

Christine August 27, 2013 (9:21 am)

Made it over lil bridge but now stuck at the train tracks!! The zombies must be landing on Alki.

Smitty August 27, 2013 (9:22 am)

Make one of the the Westbound lanes REVERSIBLE between 35th and just past the 4th avenue exit. Lord knows people understand orange cones and reversible lanes in this city.

Use what we have. It can be done, folks!

JC August 27, 2013 (9:38 am)

Take Holden to the backend of 99 avoid the bridge completely.

East Coast Cynic August 27, 2013 (10:30 am)

Following up on what Dex said, we’ve also got the likelihood of the Metro cuts early next year, which will create a lot of pain for WS bus commuters as well as drive more people to increasingly crowded roadways.

schwaggy August 27, 2013 (11:04 am)

ok, I’ve had enough.

Who do I contact to start the conversation about putting a “Do Not Block Intersection” sign at NB Fauntleroy & Oregon?

It’s a deceiving intersection but that’s no longer an excuse. http://goo.gl/maps/FUdhb

WSB August 27, 2013 (11:06 am)

My advice, pending others chiming in with even-better advice, would be to start with SDOT at 206-684-ROAD – they usually deal with immediate hazards like potholes but I’d be interested to see who they refer you to for a non-neighborhood-street situation like that. – TR

Diane August 27, 2013 (11:08 am)

any clue yet what caused these massive backups?

AL August 27, 2013 (2:01 pm)

The Bus Only lane going eastbound should be changed to an HOV (2+ passenger) lane. That would help ease some of the congestion heading into downtown.

schwaggy August 27, 2013 (3:16 pm)

AL – that’s a GREAT idea and one I don’t believe has been argued here yet! It’d be hard to enforce but there’s always 877-764-HERO ;-)

PJ August 27, 2013 (3:24 pm)

I don’t think the issue is bridge capacity. I5N was jammed because 90E tunnel had a wreck. I think that basically screwed everything else up, traffic on the bridge was slow to merge, and it backed up. I think this is a fairly common problem for us- 99/I5/etc get jammed and back up onto the bridge. So I’m not sure how opening up the bridge flow would help, we’d still have the same bottlenecks.