FOLLOWUP: Late-night crash leaves ‘Welcome to West Seattle’ sign damaged

12:58 PM: Thanks to the texters who sent photos of the damaged “Welcome to West Seattle” sign along the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge. We reported late last night on the crash at that location. The sign was installed by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce in 2019, funded by a donation from the late philanthropist Ada Cruzen; we have a message out to the WSCC to see what their plans are.

1:05 PM: Quick response from Chamber executive director Whitney Moore: “Absolutely, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce will be repairing the Welcome Sign and restoring it to its former glory.”

Alki resident April 7, 2023 (1:06 pm)

Is it that impossible to drive over a bridge without crashing? Unreal

heyalki April 7, 2023 (1:16 pm)

We can’t have anything nice.

WSCurmudgeon April 7, 2023 (2:41 pm)

Bevidear April 7, 2023 (1:21 pm)

Maybe replace it with the old one, which was way better.

Erithan April 9, 2023 (1:39 am)

That was my first thought too. 😂

Chelle April 7, 2023 (1:32 pm)

Our little “welcome to west Seattle” area has really been tortured. 2 missing dancing statues and a sign that’s damaged. 😢

Odd April 7, 2023 (1:38 pm)

Did the nearby stolen walking on logs figure ever get solved?

sgs April 7, 2023 (1:38 pm)

Unreal for sure! I hope the person responsible is sent the bill.

aa April 7, 2023 (1:57 pm)

I hope they pursue the driver’s insurance (assuming they have it) to pay for the damage.

Flivver April 7, 2023 (1:57 pm)

WSB. Was this a DUI?

Christopher B. April 7, 2023 (1:57 pm)

No worries. The metal thieves will adios those scraps in no time.

Lola April 7, 2023 (1:59 pm)

Wow, I have seen how fast some of these people go as they round that corner, you would think they were in a race with the way they drive. Some of the people even tail-gate you if you are going to slow around the curve or they love to cut over into the next lane even if there is barley any room to do so.

Joe Z April 7, 2023 (2:08 pm)

Unclear if it was the sign’s fault or not. Was the sign wearing reflective clothing?

Jort April 7, 2023 (11:37 pm)

Is it possible that one time somebody saw a cyclist run a stop sign? What about the scooters?!

Derek April 7, 2023 (2:14 pm)

Why can’t they just put a bigger guard rail on the curve?

Hammer in Hand April 7, 2023 (9:45 pm)

Why can’t we drive the posted speed limit and drive responsible. Why do we have to always install something to irresponsible drivers safe
Jort April 7, 2023 (11:38 pm)

Another option is to obey the legal speed LIMIT.

Craig April 7, 2023 (2:20 pm)

FIRE IN THE JOHN!

MrsShaw April 7, 2023 (2:22 pm)

IMO – The driver who drove into the sign should pay for the repair. This destruction just makes my heart sick. Drivers – Slow the Flock Down.

Jomeany April 7, 2023 (2:28 pm)

Cute but Damaged!

Lisa in Arbor Heights April 7, 2023 (2:57 pm)

Would love to see the sign lit up with nice lighting this time around. You can’t see it at night…not that that’s an excuse for a preventable crash though. Just saying it’d be nice to have it lit as part of a repair/renovation.

David April 7, 2023 (4:11 pm)

Oh yes! Some solar spot light would work well in that area!

Rhonda April 7, 2023 (3:53 pm)

Actually, with all the crashes we have the sign’s perfect just the way it is now.

Zipda April 7, 2023 (6:22 pm)

I also like the way it now looks.The very top looks kinda like the outline of Olympics.
Frog April 7, 2023 (9:09 pm)

Welcome to West Seattle. You may now flip your car.

WW Resident April 7, 2023 (4:25 pm)

Seems almost appropriate for WS these days

Tim April 7, 2023 (5:07 pm)

Was the driver heading north or south?

MrBell April 7, 2023 (7:02 pm)

There have been multiple crashes at this corner of the bridge due to the poor condition of the road surface. The road transitions from new grooved concrete to the old surface which is like ice when wet. I experienced this first hand and almost lost control of my vehicle at this corner. I cannot understand why SDOT chose not resurface the entire roadway instead of the patch job that was done. It’s only a matter of time until there is a fatality and the city will be facing serious liability.

Adam April 7, 2023 (8:42 pm)

Same with when going from SB 99 to WB on the bridge, I swear they oil that surface.
bolo April 7, 2023 (9:11 pm)

What is the speed limit there?

There are thousands of vehicles that easily navigate that section every day without issues. A small fraction of a percent encounter problems.
Hammer in Hand April 7, 2023 (9:51 pm)

Mr Bellin that area it was resurfaced and grooved slow the front door down
Jort April 7, 2023 (11:40 pm)

One option drivers always have is to drive the speed limit. SDOT is under no obligation to make accommodations for people wishing to break the law and cause damage and harm to society. Again: everyone has the option to drive the speed limit. Maybe consider it? It is, after all, against the law to speed. If this is just too great a challenge — just truly too insurmountable an obstacle — then perhaps it’s time to hang up the keys.

Bebop April 7, 2023 (7:23 pm)

Young teenage driver. Uninsured

wetone April 8, 2023 (10:50 am)

Sure would like to have SPD give the public more data on all these incidents and crashes, as they seem to be occurring much more frequently these days. Did driver have a license, insurance, alcohol or drugs involved, speed involved, distracted driving, road conditions, non legal vehicle, understanding of road signage….. I really believe if data was being tracked SPD would know what’s the biggest issues and where they need to focus………. Truly believe if SPD started traffic patrolling and had officers doing speed traps throughout city ticketing all law breakers (motorized vehicles, bike riders, walkers) and courts hold those involved accountable the roads would be a safer place…….

westseattlebob April 8, 2023 (12:19 pm)

Maybe now is a good time to rethink that sign and put up something more attractive than what is currently there. It looks like a sign used in a fast food drive through honestly.

Dan April 8, 2023 (8:08 pm)

That’s the sign the community voted for. Voting maters.
- westseattlebob April 8, 2023 (10:13 pm)
  
  Yes it does, but can you tell me why anyone would vote on it?! Did you happen to see the two options that were made available? Both should have been a better design than what was proposed to voters.