If you are, or someone you know is, headed for the westbound Fauntleroy end of the West Seattle Bridge any time soon, be forewarned – there’s a slick of some kind, and it’s reported to have caused some drivers to lose control. No injuries reported so far, according to police/dispatch exchanges, but some have hit the barrier. SDOT has been dispatched for a cleanup.
Is this “the” slick spot that is just West of the Southbound 99 merge point?
I know exactly what they are talking about. I felt my car slip on that spot twice this week. The first time it happened I nearly lost control. I’m glad they are fixing that.
Pretty sure that’s the notorious change from the grooved safety surface to the old concrete and it’s unfortunately located right near the end of the curve. It’s caused lots of spin outs that end up very near the sculpture there.
That’s exactly what it is, and it’s been slick there for years. Never understood why the new surface stopped at a notoriously bad curve.
Yep, I commute daily on a motorcycle and on a bike it’s extremely noticeable especially when it’s wet. I pay special attention where the cement changes to that pebbled surface every single day.
Didn’t a person crash in a spot that was by the Walking on Logs entering WS the other day? I know it has just started to rain recently. Someone also said that one of the big Cement Blocks was Askew right around there as well?
The area is just uphill from the sharp curve to the S just before (or after-it happens both ways) the steel mill. The pavement changes from new to old & vice versa. It’s ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY. Its not caused by any individual spill but rather the combination of substances dripping from underneath thousands of cars plus surface runoff during strong rains following an extended drought. The road is also very old and is not banked properly and the older pavement contains large aggregate (rocks) which are polished smooth and don’t provide very good traction. You do the math: SLOW DOWN.
Is it right next to the speed limit sign on the Fauntleroy side?
Also, if you’re using the 1st Ave S bridge be careful on the grated bridge deck. It’s like ice when wet.
I ran into the slick this morning on my way to work and didn’t question it because that area always get a little slippery in the rain. I had slowed down to 30 mph well before entering the curve because I know my car has trouble on it sometimes, and I still slipped enough to get my heart POUNDING immediately. Wish they’d use a more permanent fix because this is a recurring and dangerous issue
Good time to check your tires, insufficient thread means less traction especially on wet roadways that is a safety risk for all users of streets, roads and highways.
There was a pretty banged up SUV in that spot this morning. Ironically, the crashed vehicles always seem to come to a stop near the “Welcome to West Seattle” sign. The issue seems to be a combination of things (including the dip in the road just as the vehicles are rounding the curve), and I’ve noticed trucks and SUVs seem to be the most at risk. But, I have a very small car and it also starts to slip in that same area. This isn’t always an issue about speed, either. It’s just a terrible flaw that needs to be addressed.
When the grooved pavement was installed I predicted it would let drivers test adhesion limit at higher speeds.
Was driving eastbound just now and noticed a small pickup with its front end crunched at this exact spot. They have the right lane closed off. Stay safe out there neighbors
That’s covered in our morning traffic roundup, with photo – assuming it’s the truck that went on its side just before 7 am.
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