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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