TRAFFIC/TRANSIT/WEATHER/MORE: Friday AM updates

(SCHOOLS: Friday changes are here)

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

5:01 AM: Good morning. Updates:

FORECAST: Snow still expected to start around noon. Possibly 6″-8″ here. (added) Flurries/showers are starting earlier.

BUSES: As announced last night (updated 9:04 am):
Route 37 – Canceled today
Route 125 – Canceled today
Route 55 – 6:31 am, 6:48 am, 7:30 am, 8:34 am canceled
Route 56 – 6:43 am, 7:33 am, 8:41 am canceled
Route 57 – 7:20 am canceled
Route 116 – 6:33 am, 7:13 am, 8:00 am canceled
Snow routes – Starting 2 pm

We’ll update that list if anything more is added.

5:56 AM: First incident of the morning. Shortly after a text reporting “green flashes,” SFD has dispatched to a report of wires down in SB lanes of East Marginal/Spokane, possibly hit/snagged by passing semitruck.

6:04 AM: This is blocking East Marginal at Nevada, south of Spokane. [map]

6:22 AM: Northbound traffic is being stopped at E. Marginal/Hudson, per radio communication.

6:55 AM: First reports of flurries (thank you!). (Photo added – from Ben in Highland Park, new snow atop car:)

But the NWS says this is NOT the main event – that’s still not expected to start until noon.

7:19 AM: Some school changes still coming in – we’re continuing to update the Friday list here.

7:42 AM: East Marginal closure continues, just in case you’re wondering. Could continue another hour-plus.

8:10 AM: Lines at Junction True Value, as reported by a shopper. And empty shelves at more than one supermarket. Continued reports of flurries but barely visible through our window, so getting around is still OK.

8:38 AM: East Marginal remains closed (SDOT image above); also, Metro has rerouted Routes 113, 121, 122, 123, and 154 off East Marginal. That’s still the only area incident of note this morning. The snow flurries are still very light, and forecasters continue saying the start of the main snow event remains a few hours away.

8:56 AM: Metro just sent a retroactive alert that three Route 116 trips did not run this morning. Adding to the list above. … Our plan is to continue updating this report until the expected snow starts in earnest, plus we’ll be publishing some other (non-storm) stories we’re working on; when the “real” snow arrives, we’ll start a new storm report. Thanks yet again to everyone who’s helping keep West Seattle neighbors informed by sharing info/pics – 206-293-6302 text or voice is great and so is westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

9:36 AM: Still adding to the school-changes list. … Alice Enevoldsen (trivia point: 10 years ago, before there was an SDOT winter-weather-response map, there was Alice!) reports that TrueValue is now out of de-icer and shovels, and that she saw a bus go by with “Snowmageddon” written in the dirt on its window … Yes, the East Marginal closure continues.

11:20 AM: We just went out for a bit, quick look around before the storm. City/county/state authorities are having a briefing right now – watch it live here. New SDOT director Sam Zimbabwe just warned that they “plow to the right” so if you are parked along a “green or gold route” – your vehicle might get a little swamped.

11:47 AM: We’ve been watching that briefing and will add the embedded video when it’s over and available. (Added: Here it is)

Meantime, one thing of note – SPU general manager Mami Hara said they’re still on the one-day-delayed solid-waste pickup plan BUT if things worsen as forecast, all bets are off. … Metro said it hasn’t finalized the “emergency snow network” plan yet but they ARE still going ahead with chaining coaches: “We have outstanding mechanics who can put chains on pretty damn quick!”

12:17 PM: The snow has begun – we’ve started the afternoon update here.

64 Replies to "TRAFFIC/TRANSIT/WEATHER/MORE: Friday AM updates"

  • sam-c February 8, 2019 (5:57 am)

    Wait, what? No 125 is running at all today, not even this morning ?

    • WSB February 8, 2019 (6:14 am)

      That’s what Metro announced last night. We linked it in the Thursday night notes too. First appeared on this website I didn’t even know existed:
      https://kingcountymetro.blog/2019/02/07/metro-reducing-service-friday-in-preparation-for-winter-snow-storm

      Then they sent the same thing as a news release shortly thereafter.

      • DM February 8, 2019 (7:10 am)

        I’m so frustrated about the 125 cancellation. I even tried to look up which buses were cancelled this morning but I couldn’t find any details on the King County Metro site.  I had no idea the King County Metro blog existed.  Unfortunately I wasn’t looking at my computer last night or I would have seen your post.  I’m thankful that you posted it, but I just think the information should be easier to access from the source.  End of cranky rant.  Stay safe everybody! 

        • WSB February 8, 2019 (7:15 am)

          Definitely an aberration – Metro has a different blog-format website, “Eye on Your Metro Commute,” which is where you’d usually find cancellation type info, redundant to text/Twitter alerts … the other link came in via a text from someone, then the news release via email a while later, but that’s no substitute for something going out to the rider-alert list. We’re kind of a failsafe/aggregator. – TR

          • Kyle February 8, 2019 (7:50 am)

            I’m riding the 125 right now. I guess I got lucky. The guessing game all week on which runs will run and which won’t has been very frustrating.

          • Sue H February 8, 2019 (7:56 am)

            I’m the person who texted that blog post, and I had never seen that site before either. I just happened to see it on my Facebook feed and was shocked that the information didn’t come to me from any metro alert. 

          • WSB February 8, 2019 (8:02 am)

            Thanks for the text! We don’t recognize everybody by phone # :) That’s the thing about info these days, comes from so many sources, which is again something we can do in times like these, collect and publish as much of it as possible as a one-stop shop.

          • Baffled February 8, 2019 (9:39 am)

            https://metrocommute.wordpress.com/Link to the “Eye on your Metro Commute” blog mentioned earlier.

        • sam-c February 8, 2019 (10:59 am)

          Finally got an email alert specifically about the 125 cancellation at 9:00am.  Thank you WSB for being so timely !

    • Fellowmetrorider February 8, 2019 (8:35 am)

      I think we’d have better luck using divination to predict bus cancellations and arrivals – Trip Planner and One Bus Away are useless. Be safe out there friends! Have fun in the snow younglings!

      • sam-c February 8, 2019 (9:10 am)

        JUST NOW got an email alert specifically related to 125 being canceled all day long.  Thank you for being on top of things, WSB !    

  • AdmiralDon February 8, 2019 (6:36 am)

    Drove in via WSB to tunnel.  saw the slow down just south of the bridge.  lots of police lights.  no moving traffic.  being said, traffic was light to Northgate.   Some folks are really driving fast.  Be safe out there everyone.AdmiralDon.

  • NW February 8, 2019 (6:54 am)

    With the current traffic situation for northbound traffic into the city a 128 bus southbound route to Tukwila link light rail station may be the best alternative to get to your destination. 

  • NH February 8, 2019 (6:59 am)

    Nine 55/56/57 runs cancelled this morning so far. Make other plans!

    • Sue H February 8, 2019 (7:59 am)

      Right after my alarm went off this morning I picked up my phone and said “let’s see which 55 runs have been cancelled today.” I drove in the last two days because I couldn’t rely on whether my bus would come or not. Today I’m not even going to try.

  • NW February 8, 2019 (7:11 am)

    Check my post above for alternative to your destination 

  • newnative February 8, 2019 (7:12 am)

    Reduced trips and short buses. Happy Snowpocalypse Everbody! 

  • JasonG February 8, 2019 (7:14 am)

    Yep, very light flurries in South Lake Union as of 7am.  Took C-line from Alaska Junction with no issues. Will plan to escape downtown on the C before noon (before Metro switches to snow routes at 2pm). Be safe, all! 

  • JayDee February 8, 2019 (7:19 am)

    Why does Admiral/Alki get screwed when it isn’t even snowing? I know the buses are needed elsewhere/they are broken/not enough drivers/spite. I had to drive in because with the Metro Mystery Bus challenge I don’t know if I will get home. I will definitely let Joe McDermott and Dow Constantine what I think.

    • Jay February 8, 2019 (10:36 am)

      It’s really irritating because they usually don’t have any notification for cancelling trips serving Admiral. Twice this week I’ve spent half an hour standing at 3rd and Pine waiting for buses that never came, even though KC Metro insisted the buses were on schedule when I called them and the buses showed as on-time on both the sign and the trip planner. Other cities have devices on buses that update their status and location in real time, I would GLADLY pay the tiny, tiny tax increase to get that here. Actually, I’d give them a $100 donation today to implement real time status updates for all routes and buses. I don’t care that buses are canceled as much as I hate not having the information necessary to make other arrangements rather than standing on the curb like an idiot.

  • Theresa February 8, 2019 (7:22 am)

    Wondering what situation is with 21X.  All work there has only been one day it seemed to run.  Yet never mentioned here or I guess on Metro site?

    • WSB February 8, 2019 (7:40 am)

      We mention all the Metro alerts. If there is a change or cancellation that Metro has not announced, we don’t know unless readers report it (and thanks again to everyone who has done so in comments). Metro’s general warning is: “We encourage people to make alternate travel plans for Friday. If you must use Metro for your commute, please anticipate delays, cancelations and extremely cold weather.”

    • Hoku February 8, 2019 (7:44 am)

      The 21X goes by my house – so far I”ve only seen 2 or 3 this a.m. instead of 10+. No info whatsoever on the website. 

    • ktrapp February 8, 2019 (8:48 am)

      That’s been my complaint all week (not directed at the WSB, as this site has been the best information I can find).  If Metro would just announce that the 21’s have been cancelled, I could plan around it.  But there hasn’t been a peep from Metro all week.  So collectively I spent more than 2 hours at a bus stop on 35th this week waiting for any bus to show up.   I use the OneBusAway app, and even experienced a phantom 21 that was shown on the app to be moving along (not just estimated), that supposedly passed us while the road was totally empty.  Today I drove in, left at the same time I leave for the bus, and ended up at work an hour earlier than yesterday.It is entertaining to see the disconnect in communications.  Local news has been encouraging people to use transit to move around.  Meanwhile Metro is telling everyone to not rely on them at all.

    • East Coast Cynic February 8, 2019 (9:06 am)

      I caught a 21X about 6:55am at Morgan going downtown.  It’s like if you don’t catch the really early one going downtown, you don’t get one till 40-50 minutes later.  Yes, they are running , but fewer of them, both to and from downtown.  It’s kind of the luck of the draw as to when and if it shows up.

  • Meg February 8, 2019 (7:31 am)

    My regular bus route is completely cancelled today, and my backup plan route seems to be running every 20-30 min instead of every 10, which means buses are so packed they’re not stopping at my stop. This is so frustrating! Of course we can’t drive because I don’t want to drive home in the snow tonight. I understand pulling back on service if it’s unsafe to drive, but the weather is fine this morning? It seems like Metro is setting itself up to fail.

  • tsurly February 8, 2019 (7:41 am)

    Normal commute via bicycle this AM, most of the ice from the last storm is gone. Threw on the studded tires for the ride home.

  • AMD February 8, 2019 (7:42 am)

    The 120 was standing room only at White Center, completely full just after Orchard.  We’re passing bus stops full of people now, so it looks like this isn’t the first one that was too full to pick people up.  I feel really bad for the folks who usually take the 125 who are now forced to take a bus that doesn’t have room for them.

    • Meg February 8, 2019 (8:23 am)

      As soon as I saw 125 was cancelled and 120s were running less frequently, I knew it would be a lost cause to even try the 120 (at one of the last stops before the bridge), so I went to my 3rd-level bus backup plan and took the 50 to the Link. Phew, what a mess, and it’s not even snowing yet! In retrospect maybe the C-line should be my 3rd backup and 50-to-Link should be 4th? It’s kind of a bummer to live somewhere where I need four levels of backup plans to reliably get to work :( 

  • Dawn Blanch February 8, 2019 (7:54 am)

    Dear WSBWant to say a big wow and thank you for an outstanding news feed/blog. I live in the Rainier Valley and your news popped up on my feed during the last windstorm and power outage. But great coverage by/for real people in the Southend. Great work!

  • Dustin February 8, 2019 (8:02 am)

    My mother did an early morning grocery run to the Roxbury Safeway and said the shelves were more barren than she’d ever seen it. Apparently the cashier told her lines were back to the meat depot last night with some people waiting 45 minutes. Firday morning shot of Roxbury Safeway bread aisle:

    • WSB February 8, 2019 (8:05 am)

      Thanks, I tweeted a similar contributed photo from Junction Safeway. And the hardware stores are busy – we included opening hours in last night’s notes, and already this morning there’s a line to get into True Value, per a reader message …

    • Paul February 8, 2019 (8:43 am)

      I’m at Roxbury Safeway right now – 8:40. The bread did look pretty picked over, soup selection was pretty thin, but I did okay on the produce I needed. Several aisles filled with employees restocking.

  • anonyme February 8, 2019 (8:03 am)

    The first flakes began to fall in Arbor Heights about 3 minutes ago.  Wheeeeee!!

  • k February 8, 2019 (8:23 am)

    We had an round of unexpected snow flurries a few few years ago. At the time I commuted from South Lake Union to Ballard. Knowing that the buses were getting jacked up, I stopped at a crowded bus stop on the way home and asked if anybody wanted a ride to Ballard. My car was full within 10 seconds. Now I take the bus- and I can’t help but think about all the people who have empty space in their cars that are heading the same direction. Obviously this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it would be helpful and you might make a new friend, but you’ll definitely make someone’s stressful day a lot easier.

  • John February 8, 2019 (8:51 am)

    I was able to buy one of 4 shovels from the downtown Ace Hardware when they opened at 7am… they sold out of the rest and all their ice melt within 5 minutes.At least I can shovel my way home from downtown later!

  • Yea right February 8, 2019 (8:52 am)

    5 inches of snow in West Seattle. Its here omg

    • WSB February 8, 2019 (9:00 am)

      Maybe later, but no, not yet (unless you have that much holdover from Monday in a shady spot somewhere). Still a few hours away from the expected start.

  • couchpilot February 8, 2019 (8:53 am)

    Thanks as always for being our life-line, WSB. We’re truly grateful for the work you do.

  • Advocateforworkers February 8, 2019 (9:14 am)

    A friendly reminder. Staying home or leaving work early does NOT make a great opportunity to take Sparky to the vet for a nail trim or those vaccines you’ve been putting off, or hey, I have been meaning to hit the drycleaners to get that rug cleaned, etc. Remember, these folks also have to get home safely. It’s supposed to get bad this afternoon, so please keep workers in mind when that “perfect” opportunity to get those errands you’ve been putting off ticked off your list- they can probably wait. 

    • HD February 8, 2019 (11:18 am)

      Great post! Thank you!

  • Mj February 8, 2019 (9:36 am)

    Metro has done a poor job.  The City encourages people to forego having a car, but when Metro needs to step up to the plate they whiffed.  This is disappointing since Metro hit a double during Viacom.  An opportunity to score has been lost!

  • Stephanie February 8, 2019 (9:49 am)

    Any idea what Water Taxi and shuttle service might be like this afternoon?

    • BrianK February 8, 2019 (11:08 am)

      So far, Metro / King County has not published any cancellations or revisions on their website.  You can sign up for text message notifications for specific routes.  Water Taxi is how I plan on getting out of Pioneer Square this afternoon.

      • Stephanie February 8, 2019 (12:14 pm)

        That’s currently my plan as well, which is why I was wondering. If they run the boat but cancel the shuttles, then I’ll only have a 1 mile walk home (from the dock) instead of a potential 4 mile walk (from the office).

  • Lisa February 8, 2019 (10:12 am)

    WSB needs a Patreon page. I would so donate for this valuable service!

    • WSB February 8, 2019 (10:46 am)

      Thanks – our sole source of revenue is low-priced local advertising. We don’t sell to national companies, we don’t sell garbage you see on other sites like “1 weird trick to get rid of belly fat,” etc. … Please support the local businesses who are our sponsors:
      https://westseattleblog.com/wsb-sponsors

      Of course if anyone wants to help support our operations directly via our PayPal account, we’re thrilled – we’re not a nonprofit, so it’s not tax-deductible – but:
      https://paypal.me/westseattleblog

      Our official LLC name is A Drink of Water and a Story Interactive, so that’s what you’ll see if you use that link. – TR

      • flimflam February 8, 2019 (2:24 pm)

        so you could potentially cure my belly fat and are holding out? come on WSB! : )

  • BookGal February 8, 2019 (10:16 am)

    Just a reminder: if you can, please shovel and/or use sand/salt/de-icer on your sidewalks, walkways, steps, driveways, and street corners (this includes townhouse residents and renters!) once its stops snowing.Neighbors please help your neighbors with clearing sidewalks, etc. especially if they donʻt own a snow shovel or are elderly, frail or infirmed. This is especially important if you live on one of the myriad types of hills and inclines in West Seattle. Nothing is more treacherous than navigating street corner sidewalks, driveways, and street pavement at corners where black ice lurks on huge stretches of concrete or gravel. Also, consider how hazardous it is to delivery your mail and those packages to your door on icy stairs and steps! Yes they are risking their safety to deliver your stuff. If you want your things delivered – make it safe to do so. Be a good West Seattle neighbor and show Seattle what community means. Stay safe. Thank you.

    • T February 8, 2019 (12:33 pm)

      Thanks for saying this. It’s a huge problem every time we get snow. People are lazy or just don’t know. It’s quite irritating. There cannot be that many elderly or disabled people in WS. I mean of course there are but looking at sidewalks you’d think 99% are infirm.

  • KayDeee February 8, 2019 (10:19 am)

    Great early morning at Junction True Value! Staff are extra awesome this week (as they always are!); everyone in the long line was kind and in good spirits. Way to be WS!

  • Leslie February 8, 2019 (10:39 am)

    I would also like to know if the water taxi and the shuttles are running this morning, the vessel watch doesn’t show me anything!

    • WSB February 8, 2019 (11:33 am)

      All I can tell you is the same thing someone else responded. No alerts about the Water Taxi or shuttles. We were just down on Harbor among other roads and things look fine – so far. Checking MarineTraffic.com is a neutral backup for Water Taxi Watch, by the way –
      https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-122.391/centery:47.585/zoom:13

      Spirit of Kingston appears to be under way right now. – TR

  • Mj February 8, 2019 (10:42 am)

    BookGalSeattle Municipal Code requires that people keep their sidewalk clear.  Maybe some Code enforcement action is needed.  The last snow there were a number of dangerous sidewalks in my neighborhood that needed to be cleared but we’re notMJ

    • WSB February 8, 2019 (11:29 am)

      If you want to complain about someone, the SDCI form is online. Same one as for other code violations. Or perhaps you might consider that the sidewalks might belong to older people, physically challenged people, etc., and if you are able-bodied, offer to help. Somebody put salt on our corner and I am very grateful; my husband has taken the time to salt and clear the sidewalk outside as well as our front walkway – we’re not young but we’re still able-bodied, thank heavens. – TR

  • Ruckus February 8, 2019 (11:07 am)

    Bundles of firewood are out everywhere, but at Home Depot I picked up an armload of precut, untreated 2×4’s. They’ll fit nicely in our fireplace. And if they run out of precut, they’ll cut up the lumber for you. 

  • Yma February 8, 2019 (11:32 am)

    I’ve been putting kosher salt & then epsom salt on the ice patch on our street – then going out periodically to break up/ shovel the ice. Hoping to get this dangerous patch cleared before snow starts.Folks on the Westside seem to be really reaching out to ensure safety. This’ll be interesting.

  • 32blades February 8, 2019 (12:11 pm)

    It’s noon & the radar shows a wall of precipitation off Lincoln Park now.

  • WSB February 8, 2019 (12:16 pm)

    The snow has started. We’ve opened the afternoon update:
    https://westseattleblog.com/2019/02/west-seattle-snow-friday-afternoon-updates/

  • Dustin February 8, 2019 (12:16 pm)

    Wow!!  That snow storm just slammed in at 39th & Thistle.  Looked way for like a minute and now it’s full on snow flurries!Here we go!!

  • Stephanie February 8, 2019 (12:17 pm)

    That’s currently my plan as well, which is why I was wondering. If they run the boat but cancel the shuttles, then I’ll only have a 1 mile walk home (from the dock) instead of a potential 4 mile walk (from the office).

  • Kirsten February 8, 2019 (12:19 pm)

    It’s snowing heavy already here in Arbor Heights! And so it begins!

  • Jim P. February 8, 2019 (12:27 pm)

    Snowing in Werstwood as of 12:20.  Big wet flakes and fairly heavy.

  • sam-c February 8, 2019 (8:16 pm)

    I can’t comment on the evening story…… Funny story ….Around 3pm, my 5 year old asked, “when is the snow storm going to start?”  I told him I think it had started already. he looked out the window and said, “it looks like regular snow to me.”  2 hours later, the snow was really wet, seemed like rain, and now at 8:15 has stopped, and we are all really disappointed with this bust of a forecast.  We have less snow than we did on Monday morning…..

Sorry, comment time is over.