TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday on the move

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing unusual on routes through/from West Seattle right now.

ROAD WORK: If weather permits, the state plans to close northbound 99 tonight between the West Seattle Bridge and the stadium zone, 10 pm-5 am.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: County Council members announced in dueling news releases Monday that they have taken action described as “sending back to committee” or “canceling” the February 2015 Metro bus cuts (which were to include killing Route 22), pending the outcome of the county budget process. Seattle Times (WSB partner) transportation reporter Mike Lindblom sorts it out, including possible implications for the transit-funding ballot measure you’ll be considering in a few weeks.

7:02 AM: Via Twitter, @cdawg2610 reports a possible stalled car on the eastbound bridge by the 99 overpass.

7:47 AM: The stalled vehicle is still there – in the left lane, per SDOT. You can also see it (as of this writing) on the WSDOT Spokane St. camera. The “low bridge” has just opened for marine traffic, so that’s not a good option right at the moment. The 1st Avenue S. bridge is showing its share of brake lights.

8:12 AM: SDOT just tweeted that the stalled vehicle has been cleared, but as always, “residual backups” remain.

8:42 AM: We’re headed downtown for a story this morning, so we’re trying the “back route.” After 25 minutes from Upper Fauntleroy, headed to the 1st Avenue S. Bridge via Highland Park and then 4th Avenue S., we are almost to 4th/Spokane.

Kim September 30, 2014 (8:14 am)

Yikes. 25 minutes on the C line from after the junction and we’re not even onto the bridge yet.

Kim September 30, 2014 (8:20 am)

West Seattle’s broken record: why would it take over an hour to clear a stall from our main arterial?

Dustin September 30, 2014 (8:22 am)

Took an hour to get to downtown for work today.

I know traffic is hard for all of us, but reactions occur for your choices on the road. If you wait till the beginning of the Bus Only lane, or if you cut over early to get past a backup at the 1st exit and not allow people to get over at the appropriate time you cause delays further down the bridge, only adding to the congestion. Please PLEASE be mindful that everything you do when you drive in heavy traffic has consequences well behind you. Be respectful of the laws of the road as well as the unwritten courtesy rules of the road.

Zipper Merge
Don’t drive in the Bus Only lanes
A right turn only lane is a right turn only, not a lane for you to use to get around backups.
Don’t be a ‘Lookie Loo’it slows us behind you down.

Bill September 30, 2014 (8:47 am)

Kim — it is done on purpose!

Too Much September 30, 2014 (8:54 am)

What can be done to enforce the no left turn onto Avalon way near Luna Park Cafe. There is a constant string of cars coming down Admiral that take this route to bypass traffic on the bridge. The result is a backup in the bus lane on Avalon.

chuck & sally's van man September 30, 2014 (8:55 am)

@Kim: Because there are no dedicated tow trucks for events like this, waiting either at the bottom or top of bridge. I remember when I used to commute over the 520 back in the 90s that there were always tow trucks on the east side of the bridge for just these reasons. Would be nice if (given the importance of this one thoroughfare) the state would do a better job of anticipating problems.

Azimuth September 30, 2014 (9:30 am)

Doesn’t help that the lower bridge was opened at least twice, once around 8:20, again at 8:50. And yes, I’m aware the city has little to no control over this.

There’s just too few ways out of West Seattle.

Smitty September 30, 2014 (9:38 am)

I totally understand the urge to do so, but those WSB motorcyclists who race down the middle between the two lanes of cars between Fauntleroy to the steel mill are asking for trouble.

People change lanes all the time and nobody thinks to look that far back for a speeding motorcycle riding the stipe.

Could be tragic – be careful.

beaglenut September 30, 2014 (10:50 am)

Smitty – I’m with you on the speeding part, that’s a bad idea. Same for anywhere with a bend. Lane splitting is illegal, but it’s going to happen when traffic is as ridiculous as it was today. No need to honk at us just because you don’t think it’s fair (carpool or take the bus if traffic is an issue for you, hint hint to all). We accept the risks, and we’re not slowing you down by splitting traffic.

S September 30, 2014 (10:51 am)

Smitty, I agree. I’ve let SPD know about that and the behavior on the bridge and in other areas. It seems the riders know they can’t get caught so they do it but one day something will happen and then it will be car drivers fault, “oh those damn cagers!”

Smitty September 30, 2014 (11:22 am)

Just to be clear, I don’t honk at those folks, I am just concerned for their safety.

Even at posted speed limits – if traffic is crawling – they are bound to get hit at some point by a car changing lanes.

I’ve been to Rome and other places throughout Europe to know it is inevitable. It is CRAZY over there with mopeds!

helridge September 30, 2014 (11:38 am)

@Too Much – maybe remove the tiny left turn arrow that is there already? Check it out next time, it does exist so maybe left turns are allowed there, plus there is no sign that states otherwise.

linda September 30, 2014 (3:09 pm)

@TooMuch: unfortunately that is not an illegal left. There are actually two lanes where this road meets Avalon, one for those turning right and one for those turning left. If there is signage stating “right turn only”, it applies to the right hand lane at that stop sign which matches the arrows painted on the road (can’t recall what signage there may be right now). I used to use this road frequently to get from my office on Delridge up to Admiral and back.

Delridge Denizen September 30, 2014 (5:57 pm)

I thought that little left lane thing was for bikes.

TooMuch October 1, 2014 (10:37 am)

I agree with Delridge Denizen. That left turn lane is for bikes. I has a logo for a bike right under the turn arrow. How is a car supposed to fit there.

Sorry, comment time is over.