TRAFFIC ALERT: West Marginal Way reopens, 3 1/2 hours after crash brings down pole

12:11 PM: Thanks to Alison for the tip (added: and photo). SFD is arriving at what’s described as a three-vehicle crash with “pole down,” near the intersection with West Marginal Place, just south of the bridge [map]. No word yet on injuries, but this could mean traffic trouble for a while.

1:12 PM: SDOT says West Marginal is closed both ways at the scene, and City Light is there making repairs. They also sent this photo:

No ETA yet for reopening.

1:36 PM: Update from Alison:

They are turning all northbound Marginal Way cars around at Cal Portland/T103. The cars [from the crash] are being towed but City Light will need to fix before opening the road back up since it’s hanging so low that trucks can’t get through.

2:22 PM: We checked with SFD to see if anyone was hurt in the crash. One person, according to spokesperson Kristin Tinsley – a 92-year-old man who was a passenger in the vehicle that hit the pole. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

3 PM: No official updates yet but a texter says northbound WMW traffic is being detoured around via 16th SW by the recycling center.

3:37 PM: SDOT has just announced the scene is clear.

4:15 PM: More from SDOT: “The damaged pole belonged to CenturyLink, and Seattle City Light crews assisted with completing an urgent short-term repair because CenturyLink could not arrive as quickly. CenturyLink is heading to the area to finish repairs, but we do not expect this to have a significant traffic impact as they expect to be able to complete repairs only occupying the right southbound lane. As you know, this lane begins in this location and does not continue all the way through the corridor.”

grocerylist February 15, 2022 (1:10 pm)

What a total disaster. I waited in that traffic for 45 minutes (Avalon towards Marginal Way) and there’s no way to know Marginal Way is closed until you get there and the road is blocked forcing you to make an illegal U-turn either back to Avalon/Harbor Ave/Admiral Way or take an illegal crossing over the low bridge.

Molly February 15, 2022 (1:11 pm)

As of 12:25, west marginal was shut down. Based on looking at the cameras, they are rerouting people onto the lower bridge. What a mess.

AlkiBean February 15, 2022 (1:14 pm)

Was waiting in the line of cars and saw people up ahead start to pull u-turns and head back south to Highland. I quickly did the same…glad I did!!

Molly February 15, 2022 (6:50 pm)

I was there right when they must’ve stopped traffic going around the accident. 12:35ish? I looked at the WSB while stopped, saw there was an accident at 12:10, put two and two together when I saw two cars ahead turning. I did the same and I’m glad I didn’t try to wait it out. I was also waiting for the 1st Ave bridge to close for almost 20 minutes this morning! People got out of their cars and were walking around.

onion February 15, 2022 (1:26 pm)

It’s fortunate that hardly anyone uses that stretch of road. Imagine if that were one of only two roads in and out of West Seattle.

Dan February 15, 2022 (1:45 pm)

Judging by the looks of the rear wheels this person was traveling at an extremely stupid rate of speed. Hopefully nobody was hurt. In situations like these where completely irresponsible driving is the cause of the accident the driver should get a bill that holds them responsible for the cost of damage, cost of all responders to the scene, clean up, and and estimated amount of wages lost by all those who now get to sit, wait and be rerouted for no good reason. This driver’s stupidity cost us all fuel and time out of our day. It’ll never happen but it would be nice.

sam-c February 15, 2022 (2:23 pm)

I so wish that something like this were the norm. I don’t know what happened in this situation, but based on what I see a lot on this stretch, it never makes sense: Drive aggressively and speed to try and save 5 minutes (usually get caught at the same red light you’ve raced around everyone to get to), and instead end up costing yourself the whole afternoon to deal with the accident you’ve caused. (well, not just the one afternoon, but then dealing with future repairs and dealing with police and/or insurance, plus injuries)
- WSB February 15, 2022 (3:34 pm)
  
  Before all this speculation goes any further, we don’t, and likely never will, have information on what caused the crash. On occasion drivers also have medical problems and lose control of their vehicles, or swerve to get out of the way of someone or something else.
  - D February 15, 2022 (7:49 pm)
    
    My understanding is that a northbound vehicle crossed the center-line striking the sedan heading s/bound and another vehicle. As such, speed was not the primary cause of loss.
Avoidable February 15, 2022 (2:59 pm)

Agreed, all with an elderly passenger too. This situation may have been preventable if SDOT had moved forward with the bike lane before bridge reopening, as the right southbound lane couldn’t have been used to speed.
Sparky February 15, 2022 (3:08 pm)

Which vehicle was the one being driven completely irresponsibly? The article states it was a three car accident. The pictures show a pickup and what looks like a white sedan behind it in the one shot, but no third car that I can be certain was involved. Would you mind throwing us a few more details?
Lamont February 15, 2022 (3:35 pm)

It was a three vehicle collision and without being able to see the other vehicles and get the statements from their drivers, along with any other evidence, you cannot determine from these pictures who was speeding and who was responsible and who hit who.

Scott February 15, 2022 (2:40 pm)

Left WS via the Low Bridge because the detour was closed. At 2pm I returned to WS via West Marginal, but got turned back almost at Spokane Street. Would be nice if SPD or SDOT put up a sign trailer at the bottom of Boeing Hill to let folks know West Marginal Way is not a thru way currently. Long line to get out of there. Glad nobody got hurt too bad.

Jort February 15, 2022 (3:09 pm)

This is just your regular reminder that cyclists and pedestrians do not crash into power poles and disrupt transportation for thousands and thousands of people. If we are going to continue to allow cars to go as fast as drivers “feel” like they should be entitled to go, instead of aggressively employing easily-available speed-limiting technology, then expect more and more disruptions like this for the rest of your life. These are just some of the incredible costs that cars place on our society.

Duffy February 15, 2022 (7:40 pm)

Haha thanks for the reminder. Wow so profound.
My two cents February 15, 2022 (8:10 pm)

Jorty – where in the reporting did you see that excessive speed was the cause of this accident? If you are going to advocate for speed limiting measures, be sure to cite actual cases if you want to present any sense of credibility.

Sillygoose February 15, 2022 (3:22 pm)

Is this open yet?

WSB February 15, 2022 (3:31 pm)

No, it’s not. We’ll update as soon as we get word, or any other info (no ETA so far, from either SDOT or SCL).

WSB February 15, 2022 (3:38 pm)

And it’s just reopened per SDOT.
https://twitter.com/SDOTtraffic/status/1493730959099052032

CarDriver February 15, 2022 (3:46 pm)

Dan;Sam-C;Avoidable. Did you give statements to police???? Clearly you saw/know what happened so your eyewitness accounts will be valuable.

sam-c February 15, 2022 (6:54 pm)

I clearly prefaced my comment with, “I don’t know what happened in this situation,” thanks (first part was agreeing with the general concept of responsibility for ones actions)

Zipda February 15, 2022 (7:08 pm)

So glad that WS bridge is finally fixed. Oh wait…

Buck February 16, 2022 (2:04 pm)

Wouldn’t it be cool if the city would allow us all to use the lower bridge in these situations! Nah, that would be too practical. lame!

Jort February 16, 2022 (10:24 pm)

Because if everybody uses the lower bridge, it will be just as congested and slow as every other road, because there are too many cars here.

Sorry, comment time is over.