TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch, 8th week of West Seattle Bridge closure

5;58 AM: Good morning – the 53rd morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Headed out? Here are the cameras for the 5-way intersection 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 view, along with the Michigan exit that takes you through Georgetown to I-5:

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

Both bridges open for marine traffic; check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about openings.

NEW CAMERAS: SDOT has added 6 more cameras, along 35th and Roxbury. Here are two:

16th/Roxbury:

35th/Morgan:

You can see all local traffic cams, including the new ones in West Seattle, here.

TRANSIT

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

Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues

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

Midi May 15, 2020 (8:48 am)

Have you heard any pushback on the reduced schedule for the water taxi? I emailed them and the response was that they would not add service times until ridership is up. However, the current schedule means there’s only one sailing time in each direction if your commute is from WS -> Downtown -> WS. The morning departure is at 6:15am and evening return is at 4:45pm or 6:45pm. I’d love to start taking the water taxi but the inflexibility of times prohibits this as an option for me.

Jill May 15, 2020 (5:44 pm)

Midi, which morning departure would you take? Their normal schedule has a 7:25 that is perfect for me, but I could take anything between 7:15 and 7:45. I wonder if they would be open to changing the schedule to see if ridership increased. Anyway asking about you in case you’re looking for similar times, because your comment made me want to call them, too.

SadAboutBridge May 15, 2020 (4:16 pm)

Just went to I5 from 1st Ave bridge route. Traffic to cross south and head into WS was backed up waaaaaaaay back to the off ramp in Georgetown. Couldn’t see the end before we got to the on ramp. This will be a long two years.

Deb May 15, 2020 (5:07 pm)

Midi – I sent King County Council Member Joe McDermott your water taxi inquiry and got this reply from his transportation aide Melissa Bailey: ” I understand how those may not be the most convenient times but also know there are several challenges the Marine Division is working through. Here’s a few general things (apologies if these are things you already know) and I’m copying Chris Arkills who is closely involved in the West Seattle transit planning efforts so he can chime in as well.

Metro (which includes bus service and the water taxi) has formed an internal team focused on how they can help respond to the traffic pressures in West Seattle when the stay-at-home order is lifted and people are moving around again. That team, in turn, is working closely with SDOT, the Port, Sound Transit, the Coast Guard and others. Many people on Metro’s internal team actually live in West Seattle, including Chris.
Ridership on the water taxi was extremely low and they have been short on crew members which is part of the reason they had to make the cuts in the first place. I believe they are still down to one vessel for both the WS and the Vashon routes. More info https://kingcountywatertaxiblog.com/2020/04/03/covid-19-further-metro-and-sound-transit-service-reductions-begin-monday-april-6-to-support-essential-travel-and-transit-workforce/
They are looking at how to use the water taxi as demand for service ramps back up and the stay at home order is lifted. A few things the Marine Division is doing:

o Preparing to implement the summer schedule – which has more frequent sailings — as soon as people return to worko Reviewing measures we took during the viaduct closure to see if we can stand those up again. During the viaduct closure the County contracted with the Port of Seattle to use the parking lot near Jack Block Park. Water taxi customers had the option of parking in the lot and taking a County shuttle to the dock at Seacrest. o Talking with boat owners about vessel leasing opportunities. If we are able to increase service, we will need to ensure we have the appropriate number of vessels. One of the challenges with adding service, however, is finding adequate dock space, and dock space downtown is limited. Thank you again, Deb.” Melissa Melissa Bailey, Policy Advisor (She/Her Pronouns)Councilmember Joe McDermott, District 8Metropolitan King County Council516 Third Avenue, Room 1200; Seattle, WA 98104Office 206.263.0114 | Cell: 206.310.7533

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