TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; weekend 99 closure(s) reminder

(More cams, and other info, on the WSB Traffic Cameras page)
Good morning! The day again begins without major trouble, so far. So here are today’s transportation notes/reminders:

HIGHWAY 99/ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT WEEKEND CLOSURES: Saturday and Sunday, 6 am-6 pm both days, Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct north of the West Seattle Bridge will close for its twice-yearly inspection. From Friday night until Sunday noontime, other stretches of 99 from the Battery Street Tunnel north will close for other reasons – all explained by WSDOT here.

ROXBURY SAFETY-MEETING REPORT: Couldn’t be there last night? We were. See the story for your next chances to say what you’d like to see on Roxbury.

WATER-TAXI FARE REMINDER: In case you missed it – Water Taxi fares go up as of March 1st (but since that’s a Saturday, and the WT routes don’t run weekends this time of year, technically the increase kicks in on Monday, March 3rd).

7:16 AM: Andrew reports in comments, “Just now, stalled VW Vanagon east bound bridge at bottom of hill adjacent to Nucor.”

8:08 AM: Crash reported on NB 99 near Seneca. Your editor here is on a RR bus waiting to get onto 99 and indeed we are all but stopped. But moving in fits and spurts.

8:28 AM: By the time our bus got off 99 at Seneca, looked like flashing lights beyond – we had continued moving with few delays.

9:04 AM: If you are leaving late, note that a crash is reported on I-5 northbound at Denny – so that might cause some trouble here in the late going.

FOOTNOTE: Continuing our “temporary commuter” exploration, we took RapidRide in, and took the Water Taxi home. First time on the Spirit of Kingston, we realized. It is FAST – listed as a 10-minute crossing but really seemed like about five minutes sailing, five minutes docking and undocking. Compared to the $16 we’ve been paying (tax included) for an earlybird all-day parking spot near the courthouse, $2.50 bus fare in and $4 boat fare out combined for a bargain. Lots of room for more people on the boat; we were dropped off by the 35th/Avalon bus stop and had to stand, but we’re blessed with good health and didn’t mind, especially facing a full day of courtroom-bench-sitting.

Andrew February 27, 2014 (7:11 am)

Just now, stalled VW Vannagon east bound bridge at bottom of hill adjacent to Nucor. I sure hope that gets cleared soon.

wundrgrrrl February 27, 2014 (8:05 am)

Pretty major accident on 99 N near Seneca. Van hit a vehicle and careened across the fwy and now sits partially on the concrete barrier. Will probably require equipment! Expect delays…

WSB February 27, 2014 (8:07 am)

Thanks – I just got on a RR bus so we will see 1sthand….

enough February 27, 2014 (9:15 am)

VW was still there around 8 AM.

enough February 27, 2014 (10:32 am)

Why the slow response times in Seattle to stalled vehicles? This VW van is just the latest in incidents where vehicles have been left for an hour or 2 or more on the West Seattle Bridge or 99.

Brandon February 27, 2014 (9:54 pm)

How will the viaduct closure alter bus routes? I imagine the C will be routed over the West Seattle Bridge and then travel downtown via SODO, but that’s just a guess.

WSB February 27, 2014 (10:45 pm)

Thanks for the reminder, Brandon. We’ll include the reroute links in tomorrow’s traffic watch as well as Saturday and Sunday coverage. It’s all on the Metro reroute/rider alert page – for example, for the 120, 125, and C Line, they’ll take 4th Avenue off the West Seattle Bridge/Spokane St. Viaduct:
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http://metro.kingcounty.gov/alerts/pdf/14-AWV-xx_Rts120,125&C&DLines_AWVFullClsr_Mar1&2.pdf