TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: March’s stormy start

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:03 AM: Welcome to March! The National Weather Service has a wind advisory out for later today, noon-9 pm. Here’s what else you should know as the day begins:

–Water Taxi fares increase today – see the new prices here
–Advance alert of bus-lane enforcement on the bridge tomorrow morning
-Remember the Alaskan Way Viaduct is closing for its twice-yearly inspection this weekend
-The megaship that arrived at Harbor Island yesterday is due to head back out this morning around 8 am.

7:39 AM: Thanks to Living In The Wild West for the comment tip – we’ve just confirmef the signals at Avalon/Harbor/Spokane are flashing. Not a major backup factor so far as we can tell.

8:26 AM: A vehicle fire at California/Fauntleroy has led to a call for police to help direct traffic. We’re headed over to find out more.

8:32 AM: Not a major fire – the vehicle is blocking a northbound lane on California just south of Fauntleroy; SFD has already left but SPD is with it.

8:37 AM: We had a question earlier about a backup on the Fauntleroy approach to the bridge. In comments, CandrewB says there is (or was) a crash by Nucor. Neither SDOT – which is checking now that we mentioned it – nor any of the other dozen-plus sources we monitor had any word of it, so we didn’t either.

10:30 AM: Crash reported on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct, blocking the two left lanes at Seneca.

10:31 AM: Also sounds from the scanner like there’s a problem on Fairmount Avenue in the ravine and there’ll be traffic control added at Harbor to keep people from heading partway up and having to turn around.

Living.in.the.Wild.West March 1, 2016 (6:56 am)

Lights on Avalon under bridge are out

candrewb March 1, 2016 (8:13 am)

How did you miss the accident on the bridge backing up traffic past Edmunds?

WSB March 1, 2016 (8:19 am)

Because you’re the first person who mentioned a crash. Nothing on 911, nor via SDOT, nor any of the other dozen-plus traffic-reporting/monitoring sources we watch/listen to/read/etc. Where on the bridge? – TR

candrewb March 1, 2016 (8:29 am)

Right past the steel mill. Looks like a Volvo rear ended someone. The Volvo could have also been pushed five to ten feet up and over clearing the lane but that can’t be expected.

WSB March 1, 2016 (8:35 am)

Thanks. That’s out of camera range but it’s still odd SDOT wouldn’t have had word of it and tweeted it.

PG March 1, 2016 (9:55 am)

The accident was there at 6:45 when I went over the bridge, looked like it had just happened. I didn’t see comments when I checked the blog at 7:10, so I figured it was cleared.

sam-c March 1, 2016 (11:20 am)

Yes, from my view of the bridge (Was not on the bridge), I saw blue flashing lights out there. Couldn’t tell if the police was east bound or westbound, and couldn’t tell what happened, so I didn’t say anything. Plus, half the time I saw something, there is a WSB comment, “yes, we updated on that already, see our latest revision to the post”, or “yes, someone commented on that already”. So I assume someone had mentioned it already and the comments hadn’t shown up yet ! :) oh well. next time!

Lola March 1, 2016 (10:00 am)

They never talk about the WS bridge if there is an accident or anything about back-ups they focus on I-5 or the other bridges all the time on the radio or TV stations.

WSB March 1, 2016 (10:06 am)

Lola – I can’t speak for over the air but we monitor the TV stations’ traffic feeds via Twitter, along with the companies that provide coverage to them and radio stations – just in case somehow something is not reported by the public agencies (SDOT, WSDOT, SFD, SPD) – and they do mention WS, often “retweeting” our reports and/or SDOT. Whatever happened this morning was definitely an anomaly. We really are serious about people not texting or calling if they’re driving so we’re reliant on passenger tips to 206-293-6302 – which means we often hear from people on buses – but of course, the Nucor stretch is before the buses get onto the bridge. – TR

MD March 1, 2016 (12:32 pm)

Does anyone know if the lights were fixed at the intersection of Harbor Ave and Avalon right where everyone merges to get on and off freeway? Lights were out and flashing red as of 8:15 this AM.

WSB March 1, 2016 (12:36 pm)

We were just there & all seemed normal.

LyndaB March 1, 2016 (9:55 pm)

Radio relies on listener reports, too. Sometimes I don’t hear our specific traffic incidences either! Anyway, I noticed the back on the bridge this morning when I saw approaching Avalon and 35th. Luckily, I changed routes and it worked out. Bummer for the traffic accident. No one wants that to happen.

Sorry, comment time is over.