TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday alerts; transportation news; survey deadline; eastbound bridge crash

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Quiet on the outbound routes so far. So we start with recaps and previews:

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Three stories from Tuesday –
*35th SW plan – extra meeting added, and word the mayor will be at the first one
*47th/Admiral signal – “completion celebration” planned next Tuesday
*Tunnel-project updates, including those big yellow stacks

And the big street festival is almost here:

WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST (co-sponsored by WSB) happens in The Junction this coming Friday-Saturday-Sunday (July 10-11-12); streets close to vehicle traffic starting at 6 pm Thursday – California between Genesee and Edmunds (Oregon remains open to through traffic) and Alaska between 42nd and 44th. Metro announced its Summer Fest reroutes on Tuesday – they’re listed/linked here.

One more note:

SOUND TRANSIT 3 SURVEY: Today is the deadline for you to answer Sound Transit’s survey about next year’s ballot measure. One big question for our area: Should it include light rail for West Seattle? But that’s just part of it. The survey starts here.

8:39 AM: First problem of the morning for our area – a crash on the eastbound bridge at 99. No further details yet – it’s not on camera, though the backup certainly is.

8:47 AM: SDOT has turned around the camera and it shows the crash right AT the ramp (see the top-left image on this story – every time you refresh, it’ll show you the newest image). One tipster advises taking the low bridge to avoid the jam. Police are strategizing how to get traffic around it – potentially using the bus lane for general traffic, temporarily.

9:03 AM: From the scanner: Police are trying to direct traffic into the lanes that’ll get people around the wreck, but so far it doesn’t sound to be getting too much compliance.

9:19 AM: Crash still blocking two lanes at last report. We’ll update when we hear it’s cleared. And a reminder from Metro that this is affecting buses on the bridge too:

Transit Alert – Expect service delays on the RapidRide C line, Rts 21, 50, 120 & 125 due to a blockage eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge.

— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) July 8, 2015

9:32 AM: SFD is headed to a “natural-gas leak” callout at 35th and Findlay – so be alert to possible traffic effects there.

9:46 AM: No major effects from that; meantime, the wreck on the bridge is cleared, but it’ll take a while for backups to subside.

Lisa July 8, 2015 (8:38 am)

Upper bridge is totally backed up. Bumper to bumper. Almost a complete stand still

WSB July 8, 2015 (8:40 am)

Crash as of a few minutes ago. I’m seeing your comment before the 911 log. Thanks!

D-San July 8, 2015 (8:41 am)

East bound on bridge – what’s going on? Saw an ambulance pop up from the Delridge on-ramp.

Allison July 8, 2015 (8:44 am)

2nd lane blocked by emergency vehicles. 2-car collision.

WSB July 8, 2015 (8:45 am)

Thanks. Sounds like police are setting up strategies for routing around it, possibly involving the bus lane.

Scofflaws July 8, 2015 (8:53 am)

I saw more than the usual amount of people crossing the bus lane to get out of the 99 N lane. Maybe this was not related but please drive legally, safely, and courteously.

chuck and sally's van man July 8, 2015 (9:56 am)

Thx to the Blog I was able to take the low bridge in time and miss the back up, popping up in front of the jam. Smugly, I took I-5 instead of 4th, thinking I’d get to SLU in no time. WRONG!! I rarely take the Mercer exit, and now remember why: completely stopped a quarter mile from the exit for 10 min before pulling out and taking Lakeview.

This city’s traffic problems are intense, and insane. And (slight thread hijack) I don’t see the current “Move Seattle” initiative as anything but window dressing. Expensive window dressing, at that.

Rant over.

Franci July 8, 2015 (10:13 am)

I commute to SLU daily and when 99N is too slow, I find taking 4th Ave north is a sweet way to get there. Just be in the center lane before you get to the downtown core and it moves pretty well.