TRAFFIC ALERTS: Southbound I-5 crash cleanup; Olson Place crash

3:39 PM: If you have to head this way from downtown or points north any time soon, don’t take southbound I-5 – it’s blocked at I-90 for cleanup of a semitruck crash and fuel spill. WSDOT reports “major backups all the way to the U-District.”

4 PM: The cleanup’s just been completed, and the lanes reopened, but beware of residual backups.

4:02 PM: Meantime, this has just happened as the pm commute continues: A crash at Olson Place/Cambridge, toward the east end of the Roxbury corridor. Multiple SFD units have responded. 4 people are reported injured. (Added) Thanks to Collin for the photo:

OMG November 5, 2020 (4:22 pm)

This hill is one of the new places in West Seattle / White Center that needs help asap. People fly down this hill, change lanes in front of people, hit the brakes, cause wrecks. Slow down people, your life and the people around you depend on it.

NW November 5, 2020 (7:48 pm)

I would rather drive far south into Burien than take this hill in a vehicle I steer clear on it and has served me well!

KayK November 5, 2020 (8:06 pm)

A bunch of the street lights are out in this area as well – as was pointed out at the Highland Park Home Zone walk with SDOT. They have had work crews out clearing out the center plantings recently.

EnoughAlready November 5, 2020 (10:18 pm)

Driving Olson back into the city has gotten crazy too. What’s with people making three lanes out of two approaching the right turn at the top of the hill where SDOT decided to add two right turn lanes but didn’t mark out the outside of the lane? Made me think about this Instagram post. It would be funny if it weren’t so true. The sounds of Mayor Durkan’s silence is indeed deafening. #RepairNow!https://www.instagram.com/p/CHPBs86AwGO/ 

Melissa November 6, 2020 (7:43 am)

To people now driving Olson: it’s always been crazy, dangerous, and frequently closed for crashes. Now with the volume so much higher, the number of crashes has naturally increased. It’s been a terrible spot in need of more signage for years. Maybe what’s happening now will finally be the impetus.

Collin November 6, 2020 (3:37 pm)

Couldn’t agree more with all who have commented. I snapped that photo and we have witnessed MANY accidents in the years living above the road. I have worked with councilwoman Herbold and HPAC and we have worked to keep those streetlights replaced when they get knocked down), and also to install speed radar signs to highlight the new 25 mph speed, but so far doesn’t seem to make any difference. Next steps being discussed with SDOT is special high-grip pavement for this stretch as this road, which is slated to happen in the spring I believe. Or you know, people could just go the speed limit and not be in such a hurry to race to the next damn red light :)….

Sorry, comment time is over.