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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: Low-bridge datapoints from Councilmember Herbold’s weekly update

August 15, 2020 2:59 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(Reader photo)

Two datapoints about the low bridge are part of City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s weekly newsletter. First, its traffic volume, graphed over six months, early February to early August:

Second, an update on low-bridge maritime-traffic openings:

According to SDOT, the lower bridge has opened 858 times through the end of July: 757 times for marine traffic, and 101 times for maintenance, testing or aborted openings. The most common operator is Broughton and Beckwith; openings last an average of 12 minutes; 357 openings occurred during peak travel hours.

I asked SDOT about openings in 2019. For the entire year, there were 1390 openings for marine traffic, 502 during peak travel hours, and 371 times for maintenance, testing or aborted openings.

The Coast Guard currently uses a “standard of care” that asks mariners to voluntarily limit their requests for openings during peak travel hours. 502 openings during peak travel hours for the entire year of 2019, as compared to 357 openings during peak travel hours through July of this year, has led me to make additional inquiries of SDOT of whether or not the Coast Guard is using the “standard of care” as intended.

As we’ve reported here over the years, the city has repeatedly tried and failed to get low-bridge openings curtailed or even canceled during peak times. Meantime, the West Seattle Bridge update in Herbold’s newsletter also includes traffic data for other routes as well as noting two meetings next Wednesday – the Community Task Force (noon) and the council’s Transportation Committee, talking about bridge funding (no published agenda yet).

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38 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: Low-bridge datapoints from Councilmember Herbold's weekly update"

  • onion August 15, 2020 (3:42 pm)

    Is it just that I am more aware of these bulletins, or is Ms. Herbold actually sending out more status reports since our bridge debacle started?

    • WSB August 15, 2020 (3:51 pm)

      She’s been doing weekly newsletters for a long time, long before the bridge closure. Since then, they almost always include a bridge update. I only publish excerpts like this if it’s something we haven’t already reported AND it seems of potential widespread interest.

  • Gxnx August 15, 2020 (4:05 pm)

    I wish there are no bridges to West Seattle. Less traffic, quiet and no crime.

    • WSB August 15, 2020 (4:57 pm)

      Sorry to inform you, criminals live here too.

      • John August 15, 2020 (11:42 pm)

        Look at all the entitled ones crossing the low bridge during limited hours. Common criminals. To the stocks! 

        • Parswell August 17, 2020 (3:28 pm)

          Feels like Freedom!   unless you get caught

    • Question Authority August 15, 2020 (7:51 pm)

      Vashon has criminals too.

    • Mike Hickey August 16, 2020 (5:03 am)

      You can alwas swim over.

  • Mr J August 15, 2020 (4:38 pm)

    We need a hospital. As soon as that lower bridge brakes we’re really SOL. 

    • Amy August 15, 2020 (8:07 pm)

      Highline Hospital is just South, no bridge needed. 

      • Lagartija Nick August 16, 2020 (10:40 am)

        That only works if it’s in your insurance network.

      • Vbmart August 16, 2020 (4:54 pm)

        Highline is not a very good hospital, unfortunately. Fine for small stuff, but nothing serious. And then there is the matter of insurance. They are out of network for me.

      • JenT August 17, 2020 (9:50 am)

        My doctors are not affiliated.  And that’s a ridiculous assumption to make on behalf of 80K+ residents that we’d suddenly be able to shift our healthcare.

  • Flivver August 15, 2020 (5:57 pm)

    Mr J. We had a hospital here until the ’80’s

    • Kenneth A Olsen August 16, 2020 (7:05 pm)

      The original WS hospital was located at the WS Junction on the 2nd floor above a bank, Peoples bank. Then it was located on Holden Street as noted. The facility is still there, but not in the capacity of a general hospital. I was on their board back in the 70’s.

  • millie August 15, 2020 (6:18 pm)

    We did have a hospital in West Seattle.  It’s was the facility behind Home Depot.  Unfortunately, the community was not able to support a medical facility at that particular time.  If only we could foretell the future.

    • John August 15, 2020 (7:48 pm)

      If we could forecast the future we’d still have the high level bridge.It would have been fixed.

  • bolo August 15, 2020 (7:45 pm)

    Did the rules for SOVs on the lower bridge change again? Biked across @6pm today and there was a constant stream of cars crossing both ways. Constant stream. Maybe weekends are treated same as weeknights?

    • WSB August 15, 2020 (8:04 pm)

      The rules have not changed. Nor has the fact some are ignoring them … until 24-hour enforcement arrives with camera installation.

      • Leslie Lee August 19, 2020 (5:08 pm)

        I don’t agree with the installation of cameras to ticket West Seattle citizens! I don’t like that we can’t access the low bridge whenever! I think possibly there could be a  time limited toll similar to the Hwy 99 tunnel but it seems unfair that it’s mostly West Seattleites that are bearing the price for access ways to Seattle. We all pay taxes & DOT has been providing terrible road maintenance & should be held ACCOUNTABLE for this mess! We also have to endure street closures, lower speed zones, streets harbored by construction, terrible workmanship, lack of timely access to the lower bridge when most often it’s not being utilized rather a target for police to ticket & the city to gain added fines.  There seems to be stalling in getting the bridge fixed & repairs started.

  • Flivver August 15, 2020 (8:21 pm)

    Correct me if i’m wrong. Camera will cause a fine to be mailed but without a “live” officer writing it no insurance penalty. Mean’s people willing to pay will consider it cost of convenience. 

  • Pawkey August 15, 2020 (8:54 pm)

    Toll it, they are going to use it anyway. The tolls could go towards the bridge instead of the fines going to the city.

  • Over it August 16, 2020 (2:37 am)

    To all-I get the need to play by the rules, and respect the law.  I personally  think it is hard for us to justify driving a”pretty profound” detour around the low-bridge on the weekends from 5am-8am, when you can easily Drive over the low bridge… NOT being able to go over the low bridge is detrimental to air quality. (During those times…Mainly talking weekends here, when a bunch of vehicles are detoured unnecessarily at 6:15am….if you hang on in the middle lane… Then you notice zero bus, or truck, Or zero first responder is cruising over the Low bridge…. I think it’s smart (and for those who like some risk) And Great for the environment… to travel over the low bridge…instead of driving around , when it is obvious that you can smooth over seemlessly.  Now- I don’t condone this during peak hours (aka… when the cops are there: joking…peak commuter hours, defined, again, by when the cops are there…. That, therein, define  “peak hours”…. But- to those upset about “first responders ambulances getting through”… my son was in an ambulance, lights goin nuts… went over low bridge…. busses pulled over, vehicles stopped, bicyclists steered aside.  This lower bridge should be allowed some “common sense” passing… cause if not… Well, then, a lot will be upset by the disrespectful passing by those that can understand (at the last minute mind you)… that, damn, no one is on the lower bridge, and it’s backed up (exhausting emissions on Marginal Way)… so you, last minute,  blow over the low bridge. Win/win…. haters talk about us last minute “jumpers” (Based on capacity over low bridge)…. we just saved some environmental air.  Call us what you will.  Risk takers.  And a citizen who has spent a lot of money on fines for “taking” those risks.  Don’t get gitty about all those “entitled folks whom driven over bridges “Willy Nilly… Just- C’mon… Let’s put together a better (legal) time to allow access over the low bridge.  AGAIN-  after peak hours, weekend times etc.  Those who WORk on Harbor Island (and purchased or rented a home 1/4 mile away) to have a greener footprint on their commute.

    • Scott Collins August 16, 2020 (4:19 pm)

      so by “take some risk” or “risk takers” do you mean those that ignore the law and hope it works out while the rest of us follow the law?  And would these be the same folks who are last lane “jumpers” that apparently think they are more important than those of us who politely and efficiently follow the rules?  Inquiring minds would like to know 

  • Andrew Krom August 16, 2020 (6:27 am)

    Marine traffic doesn’t look at the watch and has precedence over traffic, Yes, USCG can control openings somewhat during rush hours but not the whole range of time.

  • Hassan August 16, 2020 (9:40 am)

    If your not a freight truck, emergency vehicle or bus you shouldn’t be on the lower bridge anyway I wish Seattle pd would just pop on n off the bridge At random times everyone knows what times their there or n or not or install a photo system n start giving idiots who think their intiled n can’t read the damn signs who aren’t supposed to be on the bridge & don’t block driveways and start Issuing tickets starting a 1,000.00 Lower bridge is gonna get shut down sooner or later due to so much traffic 

    • WSB August 16, 2020 (10:01 am)

      As noted multiple times, the city does plan for photo enforcement. Most recent estimated start is September.

  • Flivver August 16, 2020 (10:29 am)

    Love to see the rules for the camera’s. How much will the fine be?. Can see wealthy people just paying it. Can also see businesses and contractor’s using it and passing the cost of the ticket on to customer’s. 

    • WSB August 16, 2020 (10:53 am)

      All that is TBA. Haven’t heard of camera tickets under $200.

  • Chuck Jacobs August 16, 2020 (12:00 pm)

    Short answer: Enforcement of traffic cameras is on the honor system. Also, the code as I read it, does not allow for the use of automated cameras to enforce bridge restriction violators.

    Long answer: Read the W.A.C. The relevant code is snipped below.

    RCW 46.63.170
    Automated traffic safety cameras—Definition.

    (1) The use of automated traffic safety cameras for issuance of notices of infraction is subject to the following requirements:

    (a) Automated traffic safety cameras may be used to detect one or more of the following: Stoplight, railroad crossing, or school speed zone violations…

    (b) …use of automated traffic safety cameras is restricted to the following locations only: (i) Intersections of two arterials with traffic control signals that have yellow change interval durations in accordance with RCW 47.36.022, which interval durations may not be reduced after placement of the camera; (ii) railroad crossings; and (iii) school speed zones.

    (d) Automated traffic safety cameras may only take pictures of the vehicle and vehicle license plate and only while an infraction is occurring. The picture must not reveal the face of the driver or of passengers in the vehicle.

    (f) The registered owner of a vehicle is responsible for an infraction under RCW 46.63.030(1)(d) unless the registered owner overcomes the presumption in RCW 46.63.075…

    (2) Infractions detected through the use of automated traffic safety cameras are not part of the registered owner’s driving record… (2). The amount of the fine issued for an infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall not exceed the amount of a fine issued for other parking infractions within the jurisdiction.

    RCW 46.63.075
    Safety camera infractions—Presumption.

    (1) In a traffic infraction case involving an infraction detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera under RCW 46.63.170 … together with proof that the person named in the notice of traffic infraction was at the time of the violation the registered owner of the vehicle, constitutes in evidence a prima facie presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle was the person in control of the vehicle at the point where, and for the time during which, the violation occurred.
    (2) This presumption may be overcome only if the registered owner states, under oath, in a written statement to the court or in testimony before the court that the vehicle involved was, at the time, stolen or in the care, custody, or control of some person other than the registered owner.

    So, if you’re willing to sign a statement swearing that you were not operating the vehicle at the time photo of the infraction was taken, they have no other evidence to prove you committed the infraction and it will be cancelled.

  • Smittytheclown August 16, 2020 (1:32 pm)

    Wish they would allow Vespa type scooters.  Those can move a ton of people and they can easily maneuver out of the way of emergency vehicles.  We would be our own little Italy. 

  • Flivver August 16, 2020 (3:26 pm)

    Hassan. I go through there daily. I’ve watched SPD in action. They let through EVERY vehicle with company markings. EVERYTHING from semi’s to mini vans. I’ve watched them wave through UNMARKED van’s and pick ups with ladders or other construction type equipment. Watched them wave through a new pick up that was empty, but had a small magnetic name tag on the door. SPD has a VERY broad definition of “essential freight”. 

    • Candy man J August 18, 2020 (11:50 am)

      As a local West Seattleite, find the city neglects the Gigantic nightmare traffic problems we have. Defund the police? City council should be Fired, and Durkan the same. The bridge needs to reopen ASAP, 

  • JAT August 17, 2020 (5:43 pm)

    I know I’m jinxing it, but congratulations to all commenters thus far for not piping up, for the first time I can recall – on a post involving Council member Herbold – about your dislike of her.Yes, her constituent emails have been excellently informative and timely.

    Her politics may be more liberal than many in W Sea might like, but she’s zealous in her representation of our peninsular interests, good for her!

    As for the scofflaws using the low bridge – I’m curious about the law and order mental gymnastics they go through, but I agree: to the stocks! We all have a surplus of hard green tomatoes we’re eager to throw.

    • Jb August 17, 2020 (8:07 pm)

      Green Heirloom tomatoes as a pasta sauce base sounds great! The summer gymnastics games in Tokyo were sadly missed, let’s hope these mental workouts pay for a fix ASAP !

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