Now that the parade is over, we’re tracking the trip home.

*SPECIAL WATER TAXI / SHUTTLE BUS SCHEDULE
*METRO ALERTS

We are continuing to monitor emergency communications – and hearing that downtown traffic is clearly still a challenge, to say the least.

2:37 PM: Tim just e-mailed to say, “Line to get on Water Taxi at Pier 50 stretches a block and a half down Alaskan Way.” (added) Cheryl‘s photo of the line at the dock:

(Firsthand reports on Water Taxi and buses appreciated in the next few hours – text 206-293-6302, e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)

2:52 PM: From Luckie in comments, “If you’re taking the C from downtown to West Seattle, the further north you can catch it on 3rd, the better.”

3:25 PM: The CLink rally has just ended, which means tens of thousands more people joining the commute, which WSDOT describes as looking right now like it usually does at 5. (Minutes later) Metro says it’s canceled most parade reroutes, but: “Expect delays.”

3:40 PM: If you used Sound Transit light rail to get into downtown, ST just tweeted this: “If heading south on Link, Stadium Station your best bet for shortest waits, will still be crowds. Major backups in (downtown transit tunnel).”

4:15 PM: Catching RapidRide as far north as you can is the latest advice in comments. No massive problems reported on the roads; southbound Viaduct doesn’t look too horrible – here’s a camera:

4:37 PM: Update from Pier 50 – the Water Taxi is back to one boat and major waiting – you might want to try a bus home instead.

5:14 PM: I-5 southbound might be problematic – there’s a crash at mid-Boeing Field and that could mean domino effects getting out of downtown.

(SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES – we’ll keep this going until switching to official parade edition)

6:35 AM: Good morning! We’re here to help you get to the 11 am parade downtown as well as the usual commute info. You can see more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page. Links for starters:

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand, substituted later Wednesday)
–WATER TAXI: Go here to see the special schedule for today only, shuttle buses included.
–METRO: Route alerts that kick in before the parade; general advice
–SOUND TRANSIT BUSES/LIGHT RAIL: One WSBer texted at 6:30 that the Tukwila parking lot was 90% full.
–WEATHER: Very cold – the wind chill could make it feel like the teens, forecasters say; Special Weather Statement still in effect.
–IF YOU HAVE TICKETS TO SAFECO SPILLOVER EVENT, here’s the FAQ

People are already staked out along the route, KIRO’s live helicopter view shows. From SDOT, here’s how roads will be affected:

The parade begins at Fourth Avenue and Denny Way, and heads south on Fourth Avenue to S Washington Street. From there it will proceed west to Second Avenue S, turn south on Second and then move into the North Lot at CenturyLink Field. Fourth Avenue and all cross streets from Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue will be closed to traffic starting at 10:30 a.m. and reopen after the parade passes, and Occidental Avenue will be closed at 8:30 a.m. “No parking” signs for the event are in place and prohibit parking along the route from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

7:33 AM UPDATE: We went to The Junction to see how buses were looking. Saw an empty C Line. Don’t wait too long to go – via Twitter, we’re seeing numerous photos of the streets downtown filling up.

7:50 AM UPDATE: The 7:45 am Water Taxi was reported to be “full and boisterous,” per Tim; Lise also said it’s full, and both mention parking in the area is busier than usual. We’re heading off to survey the scene. Remember there is a gap between the 8:45 am run from Seacrest and the added 9:30 am run.

8:05 AM UPDATE: Now the C Line is full, Mac reports. Remember that downtown reroutes kick in BEFORE the parade – see the link above.

8:30 AM UPDATE: 8:15 Water Taxi was at capacity with ~50 left at dock, our crew reports. No street parking left in area. (Note: The Salty’s lot appeared to have a few spaces left on the unpaved side.) Next run is 8:45, then 9:30. Line for 8:45 stretches to the street. Meantime, if you are DRIVING in, 4th Avenue northbound off the bridges is not a good bet – see the backup on the city’s camera.

8:59 AM UPDATE: Can’t stress it enough, if you are going, LEAVE ASAP. (Here’s a photo Metro posted to Facebook showing the 2nd/Jackson crowd close to end of parade route:)

We are watching traffic, transit, Water Taxi, and everything is jammed. Here’s a Water Taxi line pic from about 15 mins ago:

Thanks to Brian Presser from TouchTech Systems for that pic. Meantime, Cheryl, also at the dock, says it looks like the Vashon boat might have been added to the run too. We haven’t confirmed that but will try to. Buses are jammed – the 21s were full by the time they got to Morgan, Jeff reports via Twitter.

9:13 AM UPDATE: Water Taxi line past Marination ma kai (WSB sponsor) and down the block, tweets Micah. Meantime, Josh confirms that the 8:45 Water Taxi captain “shouted (to those in line)” that they were adding the Vashon boat to come pick up more people. And we’ve just received a photo from Sean showing a crowd packing onto a RapidRide C Line bus:

Thanks to everyone sharing photos – we are staying at HQ to keep track of all the info you need going there AND getting back (and other news), so we’d love a parade photo or two once it’s all under way – text to 206-293-6302, e-mail to editor@westseattleblog.com, or share at facebook.com/westseattleblog.

Traffic alert: Scanner says there’s a crash at Delridge/Thistle.

9:40 AM UPDATE: Micah says the extra boat is helping the Water Taxi line move fast.

(Added: Photo from HJ)
Meantime, buses are still very busy. Just in from Kindree: “Been at C line stop on Alaska at Fauntleroy for a while now. Last 5 or 6 buses ( C and 50 ) have been full and passed us by.”

9:50 AM UPDATE: Meantime, from downtown, a preview from the start of the parade route, just tweeted by a State Patrol public-information officer – note the Ducks (which the team apparently will ride in):

Troopers preparing at the staging area for todays parade. pic.twitter.com/s1wUnbcdM3

— Trooper Chris Webb (@wspd2pio) February 5, 2014

10:03 AM UPDATE: Water Taxi continues to move along well – aerial perspective from Sunny Kobe Cook:

While downtown is full of fans, no major problems are reported – we’re monitoring all scanner channels as well as Twitter. But one transportation route is VERY backed up south of here, texts Amy – she says thousands are in line for light rail from Sea-Tac.

10:25 AM UPDATE: Winding down this edition of traffic coverage since we sure hope everyone who’s going is there. We’re hoping to feature a streaming window once the parade begins, separate story page. Meantime, if you ARE there, there’s one big request from SPD and the rest of the city: “With record crowds lining downtown streets for today’s Seahawks victory parade, police and fire are asking people to please stay on the sidewalks and leave the streets clear for emergency vehicles.”

10:39 AM UPDATE: Still people awaiting the Water Taxi, but David Christensen says, “It’s moving fast.” And Spenser tweeted this after getting onboard:

Water Taxi captain: “everybody Hold on because we’re about to take off like Percy Harvin!” @westseattleblog @Seahawks

— spenserdavis (@spenserdavis) February 5, 2014

POST-PARADE NOTE: We have afternoon going-back-to-West-Seattle coverage here.