ROAD WORK/TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday notes, 13th week of West Seattle Bridge closure

6:05 AM: Good morning – the 84th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK

The Delridge Way repaving-and-more project has begun – here’s our latest update – and if you’re parked by a NO-PARKING sign, you might need to move your vehicle ASAP!

TRAFFIC

On to the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month, as announced Tuesday. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:

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

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

You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT

Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure. Note that Metro service will increase next Monday, June 22nd.

Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues until next Monday

Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

Alki June 15, 2020 (8:20 am)

Is the lower bridge open for car traffic? I was down there twice this weekend and saw a lot of cars going over. I also see 3 cars in your screenshot above that are going over. If it is open then I missed that announcement.

WSB June 15, 2020 (10:01 am)

Nothing has changed, including apparently drivers flouting the rules.

Flivver June 15, 2020 (11:21 am)

WSB. What are the rules?. I go through there every day and have seen spd in action. The traffic units let not only the semi’s but ANY vehicle with a company name on it. Everything from large trucks to minivans.Saw a new Chevy Silverado with a little magnetic sticker on the door(couldn’t read the name)get waved through by spd. Also see them let unmarked van’s and pick up’s through if they have any “stuff” on them-ladders, wheelbarrow’s etc. Also, have been there when the traffic unit is not there but marked patrol units happen to be waiting at a red light. They can CLEARLY see cars coming off, or going onto the low bridge. They NEVER make an attempt to stop/ticket. Maybe it’s only the traffic unit that has rules??

WSB June 15, 2020 (11:42 am)

The same as the rules have been since the high bridge closed. And YES, drivers have been ticketed, as discussed and observed here many a time. (You can also search Tweets by Beat for some of the incident #s.) I don’t know what schedule the traffic enforcement officers are keeping there these days but it’s not 24/7 and it’s unfortunate that some are gnoring the very clear FREIGHT/TRANSIT signage.

Flivver June 15, 2020 (1:11 pm)

WSB. I asked the question because MANY of the vehicles spd’s traffic unit let pass such as minivan’s from a plumbing company or a van with a ladder on top driven by an independent contractor I would love to hear them claim meet the “freight” rule.

smittytheclown June 15, 2020 (3:20 pm)

Looks like it’s time to buy a panel van and attach a magnetic sticker! Smitty’s Electric!

Flivver June 15, 2020 (3:37 pm)

Smittytc. Saw spd traffic cop wave a new Chevy Silverado(with nothing in or on it)across the low bridge. Had a magnetic sign on the door. It was @ 6″ x 18″. That was it. Guess that qualifies as freight!! How do people follow the “rules” when the city/spd DON’T have clear rules. Actually I know why. Makes it easier to write ticket’s when you have fuzzy rules.

Jon Wright June 15, 2020 (5:47 pm)

This brings up an interesting observation: anecdotal evidence (West Seattle Blog comments) suggests the police “enforcing” the low bridge closure pretty much do whatever they want. It would be enlightening to gather some objective data about bridge usage broken down by vehicle type and compare that to citations issued. It seems like a big disconnect that SDOT can create very specific rules but enforcement is at the discretion of SPD. The only way this is going to not continue to be a joke is with 7×24 camera enforcement.

dsa June 15, 2020 (10:41 pm)

Why clog up the 1st So bridge with commercial veh? Let the cops do the sorting of who is cheating or not. I know this isn’t quite the rule, but it looks like they are testing an idea to get more on the low bridge and less on the detours.

Sorry, comment time is over.