TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday notes, 9th week of West Seattle Bridge closure

6:03 AM: Good morning – the 60th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Though few will travel, we’re going into a holiday weekend. Here are the cameras for the 5-way intersection at West Marginal/Delridge/Spokane/Chelan, and the restricted-access low bridge (where SPD enforcement continues):

Since the main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map), that’s the next camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the approach:

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.

You can see all local traffic cams, including the new ones in West Seattle, here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT

Metro – Reduced schedule; reduced capacity; check here for next departure

Water TaxiReduced schedule continues (note: NO SERVICE Monday because it’s Memorial Day)

Sound Transit note – Link light rail and Sounder trains will start charging fares again June 1st

ROAD WORK REMINDER

Repaving/pavement repair at 6th/Spokane is scheduled to continue today.

During the stay-home order, we’re not live-monitoring morning traffic, but we’ll update with word of incidents, so please let us know what you’re seeing – comment or text (but not if you’re drivingl!) 206-293-6302.

14 Replies to "TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday notes, 9th week of West Seattle Bridge closure"

  • Tom Alberts May 22, 2020 (6:52 am)

    Restricted access?? Huh?? In addition to the semi’s delivery truck of all sizes use it. I also see business vehicles of all sizes use it. I also see independent contractors use it. These guy’s have unmarked vans and trucks with ladders and other equipment on them. I’ve seen them all go by spd when they’ve been there patrolling.  The only ones I’ve seen stopped by spd are car’s.nbsp; The rules seen to be “secret”  

    • West Seattle Mad Sci Guy May 22, 2020 (8:50 am)

      The signage simply says transit and trucks are excepted. Until they put proper signs up they can’t ticket what the signs say are allowed I would guess.  (Emphasis on guess)

    • Brian May 22, 2020 (9:58 am)

      I’m struggling to figure what you’re mad about here 

      • bill May 22, 2020 (10:35 pm)

        @Brian:  Tom is mad about apostrophes.  Or mad for them. And he’s violated the secret rule that one is only supposed to use one incorrect apostrophe per paragraph.

  • Billy May 22, 2020 (9:22 am)

    I do not understand. On the few occasions we’ve ventured out there are all types of personal vehicles on the lower bridge. We seem to be the only dummies taking “the long way”. What’s with that?

    • sf May 22, 2020 (11:00 am)

      Perception bias with a dash of fundamental attribution error.  There have been many tickets given out to prevent and fine those who haven’t adhered to the rules.  Many, if not a majority, do drive the long way with regularity.  

    • johnny bocchetti May 22, 2020 (11:53 am)

      Many are first responders, firefighters, police that drive their trucks and cars to their station.

      • CAM May 22, 2020 (2:17 pm)

        While I appreciate those individuals have very difficult jobs they are not exempt from following the same rules as everyone else. If you are aware that officers are not ticketing particular groups based on their status as first responders that could invalidate all of the tickets they have issued. I don’t recall the year but a whole pile of speeding tickets were tossed when audio was released which showed that police were letting other police in their personal vehicles off without a ticket during the same speed trap. 

      • Brian May 23, 2020 (1:07 pm)

        The firefighters I know are taking the long way.  I used to be a firefigher/medic, I would take the south crossing if I were stationed there.  It’s black and white that those non-metro and non-emergency vehicles are crossing because they are selfish.  We should put pressure on SPD to do random traps or for the city to install a camera…ticketing by camera might pay for the new bridge! :)

  • Tom Alberts May 22, 2020 (2:31 pm)

    Brian. I’m not mad-I drive around too. I just think it would be helpful if SDOT and SPD had CLEAR rules on who is allowed and who isn’t. Is that too much to ask??

    • sw May 22, 2020 (2:38 pm)

      I think the rules are clear – it’s just that some individuals think they don’t apply to them.  Unfortunately, SPD can’t have officers on site 24/7 to provide enforcement.  

    • WSJ May 22, 2020 (3:08 pm)

      The rules are crystal clear, people just ignore them.

  • Tom Alberts May 22, 2020 (4:36 pm)

    The “rule” say’s freight and emergency vehicles and busses.  All the various types of vehicles I described I’ve seen drive right past spd without a second glance. Was waiting at the light this past Monday when a new Chevy Silverado with a small name on what looked like a magnetic decal on the door drove right past the traffic officer. My  point is that MOST of the vehicles I’ve seen are not “freight” 

Sorry, comment time is over.