West Seattle traffic alert: Water problem closes Admiral lane

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3:45 PM: Update on the water problem mentioned earlier in our daily traffic watch:

SW Admiral Way westbound lane closed at SW Spokane Street; Seattle Public Utilities performing an emergency repair on water service line:

One westbound lane of SW Admiral Way, at SW Spokane Street (underneath the bridge), will be closed while Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) crews make an emergency repair to a water service line. SPU expects the lane to be reopened by 9 pm this evening.

9:13 PM UPDATE: As of less than an hour ago, the crew was still working and the road was still wet; in addition to the lane closure toward the bottom of the Admiral Way hill, access to Admiral via westbound Spokane St. under the bridge was closed off. We’ll be checking the scene in an hour or so (please let us know if you see it reopen sooner) and will also check it for the morning commute since it’ll be well below freezing tonight.

11:55 PM UPDATE: Crews were still working at the scene as of our return visit a short time ago. Looks like it has the potential to be treacherous for the morning commute but rather than speculate, we will check back before starting our daily traffic/transit coverage ~6 am and will include an update on what it’s like and whether you might do better to consider an alternate route.

SGG December 30, 2014 (4:12 pm)

Better bring the sand truck, that’s going to turn into an ice rink before long.

SF December 30, 2014 (5:42 pm)

Is it safe to drink the water here in West seattle?

dsa December 30, 2014 (5:43 pm)

There was some white chemical in that mess that got all over everything, especially my car. I hope it is not corrosive as I am not about to do any cleaning in this weather.

RT December 30, 2014 (6:21 pm)

It coated the lower half of my car too when I came home this afternoon. Sun was still out and I was concerned about chemicals in this material, so I took a risk and turned on the hose to rinse the film off.

dsa December 30, 2014 (6:44 pm)

I went through it around 3:30 heading downhill. There was a white substance all over the roadway. Seriously, I thought they were using water to clean up a chemical spill, but now that I think about it, washing chemicals does not make sense.

DD December 30, 2014 (7:03 pm)

I was also concerned about this residue and did rinse it off with my garden hose when I got home this afternoon. Had no idea how corrosive it might be and didn’t want to risk it. Glad it was above freezing at the time.

rpo December 30, 2014 (8:51 pm)

I just drove up Admiral from the bridge ten minutes ago. First, I can guarantee it won’t be fixed at 9 PM. They were still ripping up pavement. Second, the road is absolutely an ice rink now. I was spinning my rear wheels until halfway up the road and someone else was stranded on the side of the road sideways. I’d bet it gets completely closed soon unless they salt it ASAP.

WSB December 30, 2014 (8:58 pm)

RPO, we just went by too and I was about to add something to that effect. Going back around 10 or so to check, and we will also be checking as the morning commute starts, as that has the potential to be trouble in a variety of ways. Thanks.

Deb December 31, 2014 (12:06 am)

I drove through the westbound lane at 11pm. The road was wet and pavement still being torn up. Whats alarming is there is no warning of the construction, or the icy condition just as you come off the bridge and need to slow WAY down. Some flashing lights at the off-ramp to warn motorists are strongly encouraged.

WSB December 31, 2014 (12:09 am)

I just went back down for a look too, quarter till midnight, crews still on scene. Going to start our morning traffic watch early with a return visit around 5:30 am to see what they’re doing for the commute.

valvashon December 31, 2014 (4:23 am)

Went through there southbound just before 3:00 am and all the work has been completed. Northbound lanes have a couple of rough, bumpy patches in them but otherwise everything looked open. There has been an attempt at sanding and salting or whatever it is we use around here but it was still icy. Today more than ever slow down if you are coming down the hill. Hit the turn to Avalon or the curved on ramp and under 20 and you should be fine. It’s not even supposed to get to 40 degrees today so the ice in this area might be there a couple of days.

WSB December 31, 2014 (8:28 am)

Thanks, Val – we airlifted your report over to the morning-traffic update, where it helped greatly until we could get over there (just did, “bumpy patches” indeed). – TR

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