TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Friday notes, weekend alerts, and Bike Everywhere Day

6:04 AM: Good morning; welcome to Friday, May 20th.

WEATHER

Some sunshine today, high in the 60s, likely warmer than the past few days (Thursday hit 58, 9 degrees below normal).

BICYCLING

Today is Bike Everywhere Day, and West Seattle Bike Connections is co-sponsoring a station under the bridge for both commute periods – 6 to 9 am and 4 to 7 pm.

ROAD WORK, INCLUDING WEEKEND ALERTS

Late tonight through early Monday – eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed for expansion-joint and pothole work.

Southbound I-5 lane closures all weekend, starting tonight, also for expansion-joint work, says WSDOT.

SDOT has one West Seattle alert for Sunday:

On Sunday, we’ll be installing reflectors on the road on West Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way SW. We anticipate this work to begin as early as 5 AM and conclude by 3 PM. We will start near the Chelan 5-way and work our way south, before going west on Highland Park Way SW, then go reverse to cover eastbound Highland Park Way SW and northbound West Marginal Way SW. Please anticipate delays as we will need to continuously move down the street to complete this work. This work may continue into next weekend.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule, but watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is back to its full schedule today.

Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

788th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way (may be experiencing trouble):

Highland Park Way/Holden (may be experiencing trouble):

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

CarDriver May 20, 2022 (6:30 am)

WSB. Am i correct in assuming lower Spokane street will be the route to I5? Doesn’t appear there’ll be any vehicles let through on the upper level?

Watertowerjim May 20, 2022 (8:17 am)

It still pains me to see the lower bridge so empty during rush hour commutes. Too late now, but in hindsight you’d think some system that allowed a small percentage to use the lower bridge alternating days – even one day every two weeks – could have alleviated congestion elsewhere and allowed people to plan carpools to utilize their “lower bridge day” better. I get the whole keep it clear for emergency vehicles, this would have been low enough volumes to not impede that. In this day and age something (license plate number, QR sticker) could have been done.

David May 20, 2022 (2:55 pm)

https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/travel-options/rideshare/programs/vanpool/west-seattle-commuters.aspx
CarDriver May 20, 2022 (5:10 pm)

I absolutely agree more cars could/should have been allowed. It could have happened with NO impact to emergency vehicles. and no impact to freight. SDOT has had a REALLY liberal view of who was an authorized freight vehicle. The reason more cars aren’t allowed is that SDOT has repeatedly said it would be “too confusing” for drivers. HUH????

Sorry, comment time is over.