FIRST REPORT, 3:23 PM: As predicted, the next wave of snow has begun:

(Lincoln Park photo by Kersti Muul)

Coverage resumes with our latest list of infolinks, including pages we’re continuing to update as info comes in:

NEWEST FORECAST/ALERTS: National Weather Service‘s Seattle site
SCHOOL CLOSURES: Monday announcements here
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT has treated/plowed
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
METRO ‘EMERGENCY SNOW NETWORK’: Here’s the bus plan for today and Monday
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: Here’s the NEW plan for Monday
SOUND TRANSIT ALERTS: See left side of this page
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION: Sunday updates here
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARIES: See the updates atop this page.
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION: Updated – no Monday pickups
WS BUSINESS NOTES: Open, closed, changed – adding as received
WS CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENTS/NON-BIZ CLOSURES: Includes Sun. and beyond, as received
EARLIER COVERAGE: Sat. #2 here, Sat. #1 here, Fri. #3 here; Fri. #2 here; bonus photos/video here

3:34 PM: Don’t everybody rush out. But Jason Grotelueschen sends the pic with a note that Junction True Value got a shipment of snow shovels and they’re going fast.

4:05 PM: As the snow continues falling fairly fast, almost every local school/district has already announced closures for tomorrow – we’re continuing to update our school-closures page (also linked above). … SPU has NOT yet called off trash/recycling/etc. pickups for tomorrow but says Monday customers (who were missed last week) will be prioritized whenever they do resume pickup.

(“Live” image from SDOT cam currently pointed east at high and low bridges)
4:31 PM: From the city’s latest mega-update:

Currently there are 34 snow vehicles out roving Seattle’s major arterials with plows, salt spreaders, and de-icer trucks servicing snow and ice routes. Fourteen hand crews are out responding to sidewalk issues in Downtown and Center City areas. The most high priority arterials are in fair to good condition with mostly slushy pavement conditions. Our goal is prevent ice buildup, with an ultimate goal of achieving “bare and wet” pavement conditions.

4:53 PM: Just added to our business-closures/changes page, Junction QFC is closing at 7 pm. The weather isn’t expected to get any better aside from what the NWS says will be a “brief break” very early Monday, so if you have to shop, sooner better than later.

6:21 PM: Important change for Water Taxi riders – since the announcement sent early this afternoon, they have CHANGED the plan and now WILL have 773/775 shuttle service, plus Pier 2 parking and that shuttle, on Monday. We have changed the link in the list above … For North Delridge, take note that our newest addition to the biz-info list is The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), whose proprietor Matt reports they’re “open and will continue to be!” … And one more big addition to the school list: South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) just announced it’s closed Monday too.

7:18 PM: That C Line bus got stuck on the low bridge a short time ago (and is still blocking the westbound side); thanks to @D4RKARROW for tweeting the photo. We are at the point – as you can see on the cameras – that even the main routes are getting snowed over faster than the city can keep them cleared.

8 PM: Just in via text and tweet: More reports of roads to avoid, including Sylvan Way, and SW Oregon. Here’s why the roads have gotten so ugly – several inches of snow, as shown in this photo from Eddie V:

The NWS says snow should start to taper off shortly – at least, until tomorrow.

8:33 PM: Word of another stuck bus – this one’s on 35th SW south of Alaska:

Lots of reports of road trouble on the scanner.

8:45 PM: Thanks to MercyMoi for catching SPU’s recent update (at the same link in our list above) – NO Monday pickup; they’re hoping to catch up with Monday customers (who you’ll recall were skipped last week after the first snow) on Tuesday.

9:06 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo of SDOT plowing Admiral tonight. Since by all accounts the heaviest snow has passed for now, they should be able to catch up – the map shows they have also hit 35th, Delridge, the bridge, and more this past hour.

10:13 PM: The bridge looks a lot better than it did a couple hours ago. Meantime, further proof the sky has at least partly cleared – we can see the moon through the trees to the west. And thanks for the fun pics too – we have added (and are still adding) today’s photos atop the gallery here.

11:15 PM: The NWS’s late-night “forecast discussion” (a deeper analysis they usually publish four times daily) says the air may be warming more than expected and that might mean more rain ahead than snow. MIGHT.

11:36 PM: The West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) plan for Monday, just announced: “Our West Seattle and Fauntleroy locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.” More specifics here.

METRO BUSES & WATER TAXI: Here’s the plan for Monday – so far

February 10, 2019 1:33 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

1:33 PM: Just in from Metro, here’s the Monday plan for buses and the West Seattle Water Taxi:

Due to persistent dangerous roadway conditions and a forecast for ongoing freezing temperatures and two more snow storms, King County Executive Dow Constantine directed Metro to continue to operate only routes on its Emergency Snow Network (ESN) on both Monday, Feb. 11, and Tuesday, Feb. 12. This will provide weekday service levels focused on only 60 high-ridership routes and shuttles. Metro continues to operate ESN service today, Feb. 10, using Sunday schedules.

Riders should be prepared for crowding and potentially longer waits at bus stops on Monday and Tuesday as Metro operates on the Emergency Snow Network, which reduces service to 60 high-ridership routes to maintain reliability. Facing unpredictable weather conditions and travel delays, Metro encourages commuters across the region to allow for another 30-60 minutes in their travel schedules and prepare alternate travel plans if their route is not in service, and connect to Link light rail service where possible.

“The region continues to face challenging road conditions, freezing temperatures and a forecast that keeps bringing more and more snow,” said King County Metro General Manager Rob Gannon. “We’re working to provide customers with reliable bus service on an identified network of core routes, and asking riders to prepare for limited transit service until roadway conditions improve and we are out of this cycle of severe winter weather.”

Several more inches of snow are expected and riders are encouraged to monitor weather conditions in their community prior to traveling. Riders also are asked to carefully review their available travel options on the 60 routes and shuttles that will be operating. Buses will be following their posted snow routing except in the event that conditions require taking different streets.

For those who can, Metro is encouraging people to consider opportunities to work from home or flex work schedules on Monday and Tuesday and for as many days as this winter weather persists and affects Metro’s ability to operate safely. This also frees up space on buses for riders who do not have the ability to stay home or change their schedules.

Metro activated its ESN at 4 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, and will continue until further notice. Metro’s chained bus fleet has operated for two days on these core routes, which primarily serve key arterials and transit centers in many parts of King County.

The National Weather Service warns of additional weather systems bringing several inches of snow and ongoing freezing temperatures Sunday, Monday and into Tuesday. Metro is monitoring forecasts and roadway conditions to determine whether it is safe and possible to return to a higher level of service and operate a larger network of transit service via snow routes.

Emergency Snow Network

The ESN prioritizes high-ridership routes and serves areas that avoid steep hills. The routes were developed in coordination and collaboration with the City of Seattle and other jurisdictions to follow designated snow plow plans.

Routes operating as part of the ESN will serve core centers around King County, via routes 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 21, 24, 24 shuttle, 31, 32, 36, 40, 41, 44, 45, 48, 62, 62 shuttle, 65, 70, 75, 90 shuttle, 101, 102 shuttle, 106, 106 shuttle, 120, 124, 128, 150, 166, 168, 169, 180, 181, 235, 245, 248, 252/255 shuttle, 255, 255 shuttle, 271, 331, 345, 348, 348 shuttle, 372 Woodinville and 372 Lake City, ST 522, ST 545, ST 550, ST 554, ST 554 shuttle, RapidRide A, B, C, D, E and F lines.

Metro is monitoring performance of this network and will make adjustments as needed to improve operations. Customers in outlying areas and neighborhoods should prepare for reduced or temporarily unavailable bus service for several days due to inclement weather, difficult travel conditions and topography. Ride2 West Seattle and Eastgate will not operate on Monday and Tuesday.

Maintenance crews continue to switch between chaining operations and troubleshooting and repairing buses damaged by operating in winter weather.

Emergency Snow Network- Access

Access Services will also move to the ESN to mirror fixed route services. Access’ main objective under the ESN will be to provide life sustaining medical transportation. During this time, customers who are not certified to use Access that need to connect to life sustaining medical services can call 206-205-5000 to request services between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Access will also be working closely with fixed route services to help support customers that are stranded due to breakdowns or weather conditions.

West Seattle Water Taxi

The West Seattle Water Taxi will temporarily operate a one-boat commute-only schedule Monday via the MV Doc Maynard, following its typical winter schedule rather than the expanded two-boat Viaduct closure schedule. Available crews will shift to ice clearing and dock maintenance to maintain safety for passengers. Water Taxi shuttle routes 773 and 775 are currently ~~not~~ UPDATE – **ARE** scheduled to operate and Ride 2 West Seattle services are canceled.

What Riders Should Know

Metro encourages people to avoid traveling if at all possible.

Riders who intend to use Metro’s services should visit the Emergency Snow Network webpage to view details about routes in operation and to identify their options. ESN routes will travel on posted snow routes unless otherwise communicated.

Metro’s Customer Information Office opens at 6 a.m. Monday to assist riders with trip planning, at 206-553-3000.

Posted timetables on Metro’s Schedules and Maps page are a good point of reference for the 60 ESN routes that are operating, but unforeseen roadway and weather conditions may result in delays or unplanned reroutes.

Customers should be aware that Puget Sound Trip Planner and third-party apps will not reflect ESN service and will not be accurate for planning itineraries on ESN days. However, once intending riders know which ESN route they want to use, other Puget Sound Trip Planner features, such as maps, bus stop locations and timetables for ESN routes are valid. Puget Sound Trip Planner and other apps are still accurate for planning trips or getting schedules for regular service days.

Next Departure features and Text For Departure tools are working for only bus routes that are in service.

5 PM: Metro has since sent out an alert with conflicting info about tomorrow’s plans. We’re seeking to clarify.

6:49 PM: Metro confirms that the late-afternoon update is accurate – so shuttle Routes 773 and 775 ARE now going to be in service (albeit limited), along with the Pier 2 parking lot and that free shuttle between lot and dock.