TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday cooldown edition; bridge crash

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
The temperature is down 30 degrees from where it peaked Sunday on the hottest day of the year, and so far, no traffic trouble through/from West Seattle. However, we do have a ferry alert, one that follows advance warning:

TWO-BOAT SCHEDULE ON FAUNTLEROY/VASHON/SOUTHWORTH: Because of repairs involving vessels elsewhere in the system, this route is being served by M/V Issaquah and Cathlamet on the two-boat schedule, with unscheduled supplementary service by the 34-vehicle Hiyu. WSF says this could last three days. Check ferries’ statuses on this WSF run, or any other, here.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: A few links. First, the Seattle Times gets an advance copy of an independent analysis saying the city needs to do a better job of clearing crashes (most notably, the fish-truck fiasco) – read Mike Lindblom‘s report here … At 21st/Genesee in Pigeon Point, neighbors painted a new “street mural” on Sunday in hopes it will help slow traffic … A different West Seattle street-painting project on Sunday did not go so well.

SATURDAY NIGHT VIADUCT CLOSURE: Early heads-up – this Saturday night brings the Seafair Pirate Run before the Torchlight Parade, and that means a few hours of Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. More details as the week goes on.

8:34 AM: Crash on the eastbound bridge near the 4th Avenue South exit. Thanks to the person who texted us about it. SDOT shows the bridge-cam image:

Collision on WSB at 1st Ave going EB has 2 left lanes blocked to traffic. Expect delays. pic.twitter.com/3jk5xpMljE

— seattledot (@seattledot) July 20, 2015

Jeremy reports via Twitter:

@westseattleblog buses to 99 are moving, but everybody else backed up west over the bridge

— Jeremy Kahn (@trochee) July 20, 2015

8:45 AM: The Seattle Fire units have cleared the scene, suggesting no major injuries.

8:55 AM: Now one lane blocked, and not for long, per scanner. But SDOT warns the lower bridge is about to swing open for vessel traffic, so don’t use that as an alternate route for a while.

9 AM: Crash scene now cleared, but SDOT says backups still stretch all the way across the eastbound bridge.

3:45 PM: Trouble on southbound 99:

Stall on SB SR 99 Viaduct after Western Ave now has a backup of 2 miles and growing. Expect delays. pic.twitter.com/FM33uOA5pm

— seattledot (@seattledot) July 20, 2015

Hi July 20, 2015 (8:28 am)

Police and fire on the bridge eastbound near 4th

WSB July 20, 2015 (8:34 am)

Just got that via text. (If it was you, thank you.) Adding.

Robert July 20, 2015 (9:01 am)

Another accident where someone just magically drives into the back of another car? Put down the cellphone!

WSB July 20, 2015 (9:09 am)

Sorry, we have no info on who and/or what caused the crash. Unless it’s something huge, we just report these for traffic impact (so to speak).

cleows July 20, 2015 (9:39 am)

any updates on eastbound bridge? is all clear now?

WSB July 20, 2015 (9:59 am)

Hi, yes, we updated at 9 am that the crash scene was clear. No official updates on residual backups but the cameras at the top of the story always show the newest view, and they look pretty good right now. Thanks! – Tracy