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

6:07 AM: Good morning – the 57th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Headed out? Here are the cameras for the 5-way intersection at West Marginal/Delridge/Spokane, 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.

ADDED 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

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

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.

Mark May 19, 2020 (8:25 am)

We have police officers guarding an empty bridge while our elected officials have us take huge detours. There has been a massive supply and demand switch, why not take advantage of it? Variable tolling like other major arterials in the region would allow access and raise $s.

WSJ May 19, 2020 (10:20 am)

You should do some research on the amount of time and money it takes to set up tolling (a LOT), which “arterials” have it (highways) Which agencies manage it (state), and how much actual revenue it generates (not much.) …or just throw out ideas you know nothing about, that works too.

Any May 19, 2020 (10:03 am)

What a great idea, make the underprivileged pay and struggle more! How about let’s keep the detour for all WS residents and an emergency artery open. If this is such an inconvenience for you maybe you should just sit home.

Ws May 19, 2020 (12:15 pm)

So tired of all this negative, grouchy back and forth. We should all be supporting each other and working to find solutions. I am an essential worker and it has been tough to commute- I worry about what it will be like when everyone is back on the road.. we need solutions- We also need each other. BE KIND. THIS IS WEST SEATTLE.
- WSJ May 19, 2020 (1:38 pm)
  
  This isn’t kindergarten, and we’re not brainstorming ideas for how to pay for the class field trip to the zoo. When people regularly put forth bad ideas that are useless at best and actively harmful at worst, they should be dismissed logically and not entertained simply to “be nice” or to “just find solutions.” Pretending someone had a good idea isn’t “nice”, it’s just patronizing.
  - T May 19, 2020 (3:49 pm)
    
    Your incredibly rude and thoughtless response has lost you a reader. Being a dick to your readers and the people choosing to engage with this community is unacceptable. You are a terrible representative of this community.
    - WSB May 19, 2020 (4:40 pm)
      
      Hi, I don’t have a comment in this thread (prior to the one I’m writing now). Your comment shows as a response to “WSJ,” who is also a reader. – TR
    - heartless May 19, 2020 (6:58 pm)
      
      Man, this was a hilarious thread! Would read again, 5 out of 5 stars.
      
      But yeah, I agree with WSJ. There are different ways of thinking about concepts like nice and supportive, and while I generally strive to be kind oftentimes some comments or ideas need to be dealt with more firmly.
    - WSJ May 19, 2020 (7:50 pm)
      
      Hahaha my sincere apologies to Tracy and the WSB crew for the confusion about my name.
    - B.W. May 20, 2020 (12:52 am)
      
      Now that was funny..WSB “lost” a reader who couldn’t read haha
  - Mark Schletty May 19, 2020 (6:31 pm)
    
    Several of the engineerIng background and pro SDOT commenters in the blog have a serious problem. While they may, or may not, have useful knowledge on the bridge situation, and I think sometimes they do, they seem to be out of their realm on commenting. They apparently don’t realize that in the worlds of public information, public relations, and politics, perception is as important, if not more important, than reality. It is often as people perceive a situation that dictates their response to it. The rude, condescending comments by some turn people with legitimate questions and opinions completely off. Someone famousI think, once said that the only stupid question is the question not asked. We are all struggling with a complicated problem and we don’t all have equal expertise. Sketchy and slow information from SDOT exacerbates the problem, although they are getting better at it. Insulting replies only make people erroneously feel bad about themselves, or make them very angry. They never persuade.

Question Mark May 19, 2020 (2:57 pm)

The track record on replacement might be a good place to center community expectations. After the West Seattle Bridge was hit by a freighter in 1978 closing it irreparably, it took 6 years for the new bridge now in danger of collapse to open.

Disaster can happen at any time. This one, thankfully, didn’t result in loss of life due to bridge collapse.

22blades May 19, 2020 (9:51 pm)

It’s broken. Won’t be fixed until after I’m retired. I want a fire truck or aid car to show up when I, or my neighbor needs it. I’m not an engineer. It sucks. I’ll get over it.

Sorry, comment time is over.