ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC TODAY: Monday notes, 14th week of West Seattle Bridge closure

6:07 AM: Good morning – the 91st morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK

*Demolition begins this week on the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project – here’s what’s happening this week.’

TRAFFIC

Heading off-peninsula? First, 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. 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 – Some service will be added back starting today – details here.

Water Taxi – Also restoring some service today, plus the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.

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

David June 22, 2020 (7:32 am)

506 weeks to go until it will be back to the “new normal”

98126res June 22, 2020 (4:02 pm)

Lol :)

newnative June 22, 2020 (9:03 am)

I live in the North Admiral district and haven’t taken transit since mid-March. Our direct buses have been cancelled and didn’t return with this latest increase of service. Is there anyone from North Admiral or someone that catches the buses in the Alaska Junction that can report on how full the buses are? and how long it takes to get to downtown and beyond? It used to take me about 45 minutes to commute to work.

NH June 22, 2020 (10:44 am)

I live in Admiral and have my husband drop me off in the junction to catch the C. The commute is similar in length to before. I haven’t been turned away from a bus yet, but was on one that filled up and passed stops. On the return trip I usually walk the 1.5 miles home, the 50/128 seem so infrequent that I get home sooner by walking than I would if I waited for a bus.
- newnative June 22, 2020 (12:01 pm)
  
  Thanks. My company isn’t rushing any time to have us return to the office, but it’s good to know. I’m more concerned with when the longer-term cuts mean less service, added to traffic on lower bridge. I will probably be taking the water taxi.

Tf June 22, 2020 (10:07 am)

I just got a text from someone coming to do some work (she’s not the driver of the car FYI). She’s stuck on the detour because of an accident and said that there is a man in camo with an assault rifle on cloverdale overpass. Any idea what’s happening over there?

WSB June 22, 2020 (10:23 am)

There are a couple advisories about traffic diversion on the south end of South Park – 14th S. south of Cloverdale, and the highway at Des Moines Memorial Drive. State Patrol says it’s a Tukwila Police incident.

TF June 22, 2020 (10:20 am)

Update- she said as they got closer it may have been his leg hanging over the overpass. Either way, hope everybody’s ok over there

anonyme June 22, 2020 (10:32 am)

It appears that the only way in or out of Arbor Heights going forward will be the Access van (unless you’re a 9-5 white-collar worker who can take an express). Access is WAY more expensive to run than the #22 shuttle, and they are already seeing an increase in ridership due to cuts. But hey, fiscal or any other form of intelligence has never been a strong point with Metro. Access also charges $3.50 per trip, making seniors and disabled people the ONLY ones having to pay Metro fares right now. First they take away our only regular transit, then charge seniors double the price for the only other option? Really? I think not, and will be filing ADA complaints.

WSB June 22, 2020 (11:45 am)

The 99 incident south of South Park – apparent standoff – still has NB lanes blocked, according to WSDOT.

Jenny June 22, 2020 (12:25 pm)

Any idea why the work on the 1st Ave S bridge? I thought it was overnight only. I gave up on getting to work and went back home.

Jason Howell June 22, 2020 (2:35 pm)

They are blocking 2 lanes northbound with very poor signage. Cutting metal grates in the middle of the draw bridge.

Lola June 22, 2020 (3:09 pm)

Jenny, my son works for WSDOT and said the 1st ave bridge is a mess with lots of patch jobs right now on it. I think they are going to start the Replacing of the grids on the bridge sometime in July work to be done at night. Right now they have had to fix a few things that pop up during the day and Stop Traffic to fix them for a short period. I think you can log onto WSDOT to see what all they will be doing over the next month. If if gets too bad try the South Park Bridge I have had luck with that lately in getting around the 1st Ave bridge.

Chris June 22, 2020 (5:11 pm)

SDOT did a great job revising the light pattern at the five way intersection. They need to do the same at Highland Park and West marginal. If you are headed northbound and in the right lane it gets very backed up. Drivers are also confused by not knowing that the left two lanes are for only turning left up Highland Park. So many people are cutting in at the last minute.

CAM June 22, 2020 (5:43 pm)

Oh, but are they actually confused? Your take on this is very generous for people who have been using this route for well over a month and should know by now. But I do agree that they have heavily prioritized all other directions of travel OVER people heading North on W Marginal which leads to sitting through multiple light cycles to get through the intersection. I would far prefer to take that route home for convenience but have given up unless there’s no one there at all because it’s just a waste of time trying to get through that one light.
- AdmiralBridge June 23, 2020 (9:27 pm)
  
  Agree that this is anything but confusion. People that are just too good to wait in line. The WB Highland Park route on this also needs to be fixed; it has a LH turn lane on to SB W Marginal which serves about 1 vehicle for every thousand going straight or right. Rather than a LH only, straight only and straight/right lane, they need to reallocate to be LH/Straight, Straight, RH only. That will increase the flow dramatically and will – almost literally – affect no one turning left onto SB W Marginal.

Sorry, comment time is over.