TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday on the move

(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing unusual in this vicinity so far today – but the roads are wet and overall, that means slower going. Meantime, two repaving projects are scheduled to continue: 6000 block of Beach Drive, one lane alternating directions with a flagger, and Delridge repaving between Henderson and Roxbury. (Added – as noted in comments – work is not complete on Orchard west of Delridge, as an offshoot of the paving project – it’s scheduled to continue through the week, with the westbound side listed as the current focus zone.)

WEST SEATTLE TRANSIT COALITION: Our report on its launch will be up later today. If you’re on the bus and ready to read about it now, the first round of notes from its organizers are here, and our video of the meeting (better suited for listening than watching due to camera challenges) is here.

NOTE FOR TOMORROW: Thanks to Tracy for the heads-up that the annual Microsoft meeting is tomorrow (Thursday, September 26) – at KeyArena this time, but events there can cause domino-effect congestion down the line, so consider yourself forewarned.

7:45 AM UPDATE: Crash at 35th/Fauntleroy – thanks to Jana and Kristen for the tips via Twitter. Here’s a view on the live camera:

Does not appear to be a major-injury situation, judging by the 911 dispatch.

8:06 AM UPDATE: Camera view shows the crash scene has cleared.

8:15 AM NOTE: As mentioned here last night, this is an “early dismissal” day for Seattle Public Schools, so you will see school buses out and about two hours earlier than usual.

1:13 PM NOTE: More on the Microsoft meeting tomorrow – the city has issued this alert:

Tomorrow, September 26, Microsoft will hold its Annual Company Meeting at the Key Arena from 10 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. Some 15,000 attendees, traveling via 200 buses and 4,000 private vehicles, are expected to begin arriving at 8:30 a.m. and start leaving at roughly 4 p.m. The Seattle Department of Transportation advises motorists driving in the area surrounding the Seattle Center to anticipate heavy congestion in the morning and afternoon and allow for extra travel time.

trickycoolj September 25, 2013 (8:03 am)

Anyone know what’s up with Orchard/Deleidge today?? Yesterday the traffic light was flashing all day and it was backed up in all directions. Surprised it’s not noted in the construction list here.

WSB September 25, 2013 (8:13 am)

Tricky, the fine print on the Delridge Repaving page (which is linked in our coverage, but two levels in) says westbound Orchard is still closed through Friday. Will add to the Delridge repaving note above. Does that match what you’re seeing? http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/pave_delridge.htm (significantly down the page)

trickycoolj September 25, 2013 (8:27 am)

My coworker told me east and west were completely closed in the morning commute yesterday. By the evening commute east was open but the traffic light was not functioning with SPD flaggers and significant backups at about 5:15. Trying to avoid again if I need to.

zark September 25, 2013 (9:01 am)

To the jerks who speed down Cali past Gatewood elementary – shame on you for endangering children. You refuse to be decent, the city does nothing, so we’ve started collecting license plates and taking pictures. Yes, its legal to take your picture and record your plate number, google it. Consider an alternate route, or better yet take a bus. You’re clearly inept drivers who shouldnt be on the road. If you have a problem with this then you are the problem, and you’re going to kill a child if someone doesn’t stop you.

nop September 25, 2013 (10:02 am)

Zark isnt that why they put in speed cams? I head they give out tickets at 23 or higher when kids are around.. Maybe they need some on California?

WSB September 25, 2013 (10:10 am)

Interesting point – we live south of there and drive through the area probably five times a day for stories, errands, etc. – I don’t believe it’s an official school zone (please correct me if I’m wrong!), since the school is technically fronting Myrtle about half a block west, BUT the speed limit is supposed to be regularly fairly low anyway, what with the mini-business district on the west side. The neighborhood east of California continues to densify, with at least three sites so far turning into 5-building rowhouse townhouses, etc., and I would imagine the number of people crossing for the school is increasing – Gatewood Elementary has increased its enrollment about 50 percent in recent years, too … What argument have city/police given you for no enforcement? – TR

flynlo September 25, 2013 (10:52 am)

Tracy: There are school zone speed limit sign
in both directions on California, hard to see because of foliage, but they are there! Interesting to me is that there is NO end school zone sign in the south bound direction, meaning in theory that the speed limit is 20mph at times all the way to Thistle!!

WSB September 25, 2013 (10:54 am)

Thanks, flynlo. Then there would be no reason for police not to enforce the area from time to time – it’s ticketable without flashing beacons, too.

David September 25, 2013 (11:01 am)

This is a school zone and the sign is not obscured by foliage.

http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&cbll=47.539594,-122.387272&layer=c&ie=UTF8&ll=47.539594,-122.3872728&spn=0,359.986911&z=17&cbp=12,5.0,,0,5

WSB September 25, 2013 (11:06 am)

Thanks, David – the power of Google Street View. The crosswalk sign further north, *whenever that was shot,* looks like it might be leaf-challenged in warm months. But no excuse.

zark September 25, 2013 (11:49 am)

Thanks for the support, I thought I was going to get flamed. Police are nice but have more than a fair share of speeding and reckless driving complaints called in – daily.

Southbound – first a warning that it’s coming – not obscured:
http://tinyurl.com/pqb6ptu
Followed by the non-obscured School Zone sign with posted speed limit:
http://tinyurl.com/nap9rl5

It’s decent signage.

There are about 500 kids at Gatewood, they walk with family members too so more kids, and it’s a bus stop for local kids going to other schools – so, yeah, lots of kids all getting there at roughly the same time. It’s a 5 block stretch, it takes maybe 30 seconds to get through it at 20MPH, 60 if you happen to hit the light. It’s maddening that (some of) the morning commuters have such little regard. I don’t think these folks would move one block east and rip through the hoods at 35mph. Maybe we just need roundabouts on California – ouch – but hey one bad apple…

carole September 25, 2013 (11:49 am)

I came thru the Gatewood zone NB about noon Tues. I didn’t see the NB sign, but slowed because I know there is a sign SB. I think I was the only car that slowed. Ditto re the OLG area on 35th. Not sure if need to slow all day while kids are in classes, or just when they are out and about, but I always slow down and get tailgated or dirty looks from others.

Hey go September 25, 2013 (12:36 pm)

What a timely post ! I was driving North on California Monday going 20 mph but I was getting tailgated the entire time by a Nissan SUV. I was not sure it was a school zone because I did not see the signs however i did note the presence of school crossing guard. I don’t usually go that way so was unfamiliar with school zone and school times.