POST-VIADUCT PM COMMUTE #3: Wednesday afternoon/evening updates

(SDOT MAP with travel times / WS-relevant traffic cams / Water Taxi schedule, other helpful info HERE)

3:45 PM: We’re on PM commute watch now. Trouble spot reported by Jim Edwards:

SB West Marginal way down to one lane approaching Highland Park Way. Construction material spill (chunky mud) covering Left GP and left turn lane. Sweepers and Commercial Enforcement on scene.

4:39 PM: No incidents of note but general assessment, I-5 traffic is heavy both ways.

4:56 PM: Not an unusual alert from Washington State Ferries, but since we’re tracking the PM commute: “There is an estimated 60-minute wait for drivers departing Fauntleroy due to heavy vehicle traffic boarding the vessels.”

5:27 PM: And now, no extended wait. … The “low bridge” is closed right now so maritime traffic can pass through. Remember that the PM period when the Coast Guard agreed to limit bridge openings is 2-5 pm.

5:44 PM: After about 20 minutes of being closed to surface traffic, the low bridge has reopened.

T January 16, 2019 (4:43 pm)

Whenever I look at the traffic cams on your viaduct commute page there are always cars in the bus lane. 3 in this one from a minute ago. I know police are there in the morning but ..

Jort January 16, 2019 (5:05 pm)

Even though it is likely that these drivers are knowingly breaking the law, remember that they’re thinking, “this might be illegal, but it’s OK if I do it! I’m special, and all of these other people waiting in line are just too stupid.”
- T January 16, 2019 (5:10 pm)
  
  Agreed Jort. Not a new problem as we all know about the original bus lane cheaters despite red paint, signs, etc.All, not sure if my copy of the photo will show above or just the most recent one. The one I see now is not the one I pasted. Not a big deal.
- KM January 16, 2019 (6:32 pm)
  
  …or they’re willing to risk it because there is very very little traffic law enforcement in Seattle, and the state has limited the ability to use cameras to do so. They are likely not to get punished.Either way, it’s gross.

WSB January 16, 2019 (5:15 pm)

Looking at the code, you pasted the URL to the “live” camera, so it’s going to be the newest image whenever somebody looks at it. If you want to save a camera image as it appears, you have to use “save image as” on right-click rather than “copy image address/location” – TR

T January 16, 2019 (5:34 pm)

Thanks

T January 16, 2019 (5:33 pm)

Chopper is back. Has anyone gotten a response from complaints?

stuck on 128 January 16, 2019 (5:40 pm)

Why would you limit bridge openings NOT during rush hour!? MY BUS (128) NOW USES THE LOWER BRIDGE SO HERE I AM STUCK !!!!

Ed Williams January 16, 2019 (5:41 pm)

Just had a helicopter hover over my house for 7-10 minutes at what seemed to be a dangerously low level (in the Admiral area near 38th and Hanford). More traffic reporting? Looking forward to the 5:30am window rattling tomorrow morning.

Mary January 16, 2019 (5:54 pm)

I am not a fan of the c line reroute via Alaskan way and lower bridge. Why not 2nd to 4th to 1st to high bridge? Also lots of inconsistency between operators and the routes and stops.

Bri January 16, 2019 (6:50 pm)

Hi, fellow C-liner! We tested these routes today – unintentionally. My husband & I boarded Cs at the same time – mine @ Columbia; his @ Pike. My bus went through SoDo; his went via Alaskan. Made it to Morgan Junction at the same time – his bus barely ahead of mine (but I wonder if that might differ at a different commute time). The stops into downtown in the morning have differed each day for us. It’s been a little confusing.

Deftones January 16, 2019 (6:33 pm)

The new route the C line takes in the evenings sucks!

BB January 16, 2019 (10:07 pm)

Especially if The Spokane Street Bridge opens and you get stuck in the pile up

WT Enthusiast January 16, 2019 (6:34 pm)

Water Taxi commute was a breeze today. Took the 7:40 AM sailing into town this morning and the 4:45 PM sailing home. I’ve long been a 6+ year regular rider and huge proponent of the smooth, dignified WT commute. Worth. Every. Penny. And can I give a shout out to the WT crews? They are regularly awesome, but have been exceptionally so during the closure. Bravo!

Jamie January 16, 2019 (9:34 pm)

I will ditto all of this. I was on the 615a and 325p water taxis today, fastest and smoothest commute ever. The water taxi crew is exceptional!!! I feel so lucky to have this as an option in WS :)

Occasional driver January 16, 2019 (6:42 pm)

Normally I’m exclusively on transit, and I’m fortunate to be working from home during most of the shutdown, but had to drive today for an afternoon appointment. U-district to home was a mere 35 minutes! That was between 5:30 and six. Worst part was the usual slowdown by Husky Stadium.So far it seems that Seattle is adjusting very well. I’ve spoken to a handful of folks who tried the bus or light rail for the first time and didn’t mind so much. I imagine a few folks are discovering that the water taxi is a special way to start and end their workday. I’m curious to see what we learn from the shutdown. Will more people bus, bike or work from home long-term? It surely won’t be fewer than before.

Kristina January 16, 2019 (6:52 pm)

I keep waiting for Viadoom traffic to hit, but it hasn’t happened yet. At most, my commute between WS and Bellevue has been 5 minutes longer (leaving at 6am), and a couple of my afternoon commutes were shorter than usual by 10 minutes (leaving at 4pm).We’ll see what tomorrow brings, but so far this has been remarkably smooth.

Nino January 16, 2019 (7:34 pm)

The I5 North traffic has been fairly heavy in the morning, I’ve always found it better to route onto Beacon Hill, bear right, and then take a left turn at the first light.Even with a metered light, there’s a fraction of the cars going north and you bypass 6-8 min of waiting on the W. Sea Bridge.

Kim January 16, 2019 (9:30 pm)

Nino,Hate to break it to you, but that move’s not legal. There is a clear sign NOT to make that left…in the a.m., there are kids crossing to catch buses. I know you’re not the only one doing it, but I’d think twice and not suggest that others break the law either (and endanger others)…to save, what? A couple minutes?

Mj January 16, 2019 (9:41 pm)

So far it’s been nice weather, aka no rain. I suspect rain will change things for the worse.

KBear January 16, 2019 (10:21 pm)

Yeah, I think I see what you’re doing—turning around on Columbian Way by way of 14th Ave S—and the left turn from 14th to Spokane is very clearly forbidden. If rules aren’t for you, why not just cross over the double white line and cut in front?

HK January 17, 2019 (7:35 am)

You are indeed correct that you can not turn left from 14th on to Spokane street and often there is a police officer there enforcing this. That being said I’m not sure how this is “cheating” if you go up 14th a ways legally turn around and come back to the light on Spokane street to make a left. Its possible this is what Nino is doing rather than making the illegal turn as assumed.
- Nino January 18, 2019 (1:24 am)
  
  I take that route straight up, then left on S. Dakota and back onto 15th and down. All legal, and a lot quicker than the left lane of the W. Sea Bridge. 6-8 min is nothing to sneeze at in the mornings.

Sorry, comment time is over.