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UPDATE: West Marginal Way reopens after hour-plus closure

June 30, 2021 6:22 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:22 PM: Just heard on emergency radio, West Marginal Way SW is being closed between Highland Park Way and Spokene Street. The SFD 911 log has a “wires down” call. Working on more info.

6:57 PM: Per radio communication, a tree brought down wires. (Added: See the City Light truck in the background of our photo.)

Westbound traffic is backed up south of the closure.

7:18 PM: West Marginal is open again.

8:21 PM: More info – and something you should know if you were forced to detour onto the low bridge during the closure – in this note we received from the Southwest Precinct‘s Sgt. Ron Hylton:

A large tree fell across three lanes of travel and the tree was being held up by live power lines that spanned all lanes of travel. Unfortunately I was forced to shut the roadway down in both directions in order to keep the public safe. Seattle City light, SDOT, SRT, Parking Enforcement, and Seattle Police Patrol Officers responded to the scene quickly. I understand that several roadways and bridges are blocked/unusable currently and that is causing some headaches for the public of West Seattle (and surrounding areas) and shutting down a major roadway was not something I did lightly. However, for the safety of the public, I felt it was absolutely necessary to shut it down completely.

Another problem is that several vehicles had no other place to go other than the lower Spokane St. Bridge. That bridge is photo enforced…. I have emailed the photo enforcement office of SPD and asked that no citations be issued to drivers that were forced to use the bridge for this incident. I also put an update on the call that drivers should not be cited for using the bridge as they had no other route to travel due to the closure. If you receive complaints from drivers that were forced to use the lower bridge hopefully this email will assist them in fighting the citation. Please have them refer to incident number 21-164025 to verify the date/time of the closure to W. Marginal. WY SW.

We apologize for any issues the road closure may have caused and assure you that it was absolutely necessary for the safety of the public.

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15 Replies to "UPDATE: West Marginal Way reopens after hour-plus closure"

  • David J Russell June 30, 2021 (6:54 pm)

    I wish all SDOT employees were sitting in this backup with me.  Fix our bridge!!!!!

    • Teresa June 30, 2021 (8:13 pm)

      It was ridiculous!  Took me almost an hour and a half to get home from Southcenter. I almost ran out of gas with the kids I was carpooling. Thank goodness we made it to the gas station. 

  • Alki resident June 30, 2021 (7:03 pm)

    It’s a curse, I swear

  • Robin Macartney June 30, 2021 (7:41 pm)

    West seattle blog, you’re my hero. I wasn’t able to check fast enough to avoid the traffic, but at least I was informed and able to enjoy a drink at the Chelan with my neighbor while we waited! 

  • WGA June 30, 2021 (8:46 pm)

    The “public” of West Seattle????

    • WSB June 30, 2021 (9:20 pm)

      That’s just police-speak. The public = the community = the people.

  • Carolyn June 30, 2021 (9:27 pm)

    Thanks to the police officer who left reasonable & sympathetic information, Southwest Precinct‘s Sgt. Ron Hylton.

    • MW June 30, 2021 (10:13 pm)

      100% agree!

    • momof3boys July 1, 2021 (7:51 am)

      110% agree. Wish folks understood that this is more the norm than otherwise.

  • Concerned driver June 30, 2021 (11:17 pm)

    I just drove up Highland Park Way from 99/599. The far left lane going west on Highland Park at W. Marginal Way was closed as was the other side going thru the stop light. It was concerning because there were SDOT workers that did not have enough reflective gear and warning lights when they were moving the road blocking cones/barrels around. Could barely see the man on the west side that was working. They should have more safety procedures in place. Also, I have no idea if this is related to the previous incident but it was concerning.

    • Graciano July 1, 2021 (4:34 am)

      You should had rolled down your window and said “more safety gear- I could barely see some of you” in a polite way not yelling.

  • Lola July 1, 2021 (7:52 am)

    My son got stuck in this last night, He went So park bridge about 6 pm and it went up, then he turned to go to W Marginal and was stuck because of the tree that fell.  He said it was the commute from ………..

  • startcuttingdowndangeroustress July 1, 2021 (10:09 am)

    These tree downings on West Marginal Way and Highland Park Way are fairly regular occurrences.  
    But with the bridge closure, such former inconveniences have become major events.
    SDOT and the city have been pro-active in making traffic control changes during this prolonged shut-down, but have done nothing regarding the safety and maintenance of errant trees leaning precariously over the road way.  
    These dangers and delays should be eliminated before a tragedy grabs the attention of SDOT, the mayor and city council.  
    Let’s do right and avoid the costs of lawsuits with costly settlements.  
    Barely into our summer, the stress on trees of the recent heat wave is well documented.   
    Some of these dangerous trees may be on private property.  The current tree codes make it costly and nearly impossible for property owners to remove hazardous trees.  
    Hillsides and undeveloped parcels have even more tree restrictions.  
    I would like to see Seattle DCI and SDOT direct its arborists to survey the health of the trees threatening the safety of people along these two essential roadways whether they be cars, bikes, pedestrians or trucks.  
    Seattle should expedite and provide services to safely remove or trim dangerous trees along these specific routes (maybe a section of Myers Way too).

  • startcuttingdowntrees July 1, 2021 (12:41 pm)

    Great point and thank you WSB! 
    The City did do tree work six months ago in reaction to the heavy rains slope instability.  
    It was remarkable the backlash of comments then, complaints about doing the work during the short January daylight with suggestions of doing hazardous tree work at night.
    The summer work that is overdue in part because of the spectacular new growth the heavy rains brought and the heat trauma.  
    Time to ‘make hay  while the sun shines.’

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