TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday watch, with westbound bridge crash

7:55 AM: Another rollover crash is reported on the westbound bridge. The driver is reported to have gotten out of the car and SFD says they’re in “stable condition,” so an initially large response has been reduced.

8:03 AM: Only one engine is still on this call.

8:28 AM: Thanks to the reader who just texted a photo of the vehicle, which went on its side near the Welcome to West Seattle sign.

There have been multiple crashes in that area in the past few days and a report yesterday of a “slick spot” nearby too – we’re checking with SDOT.

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, September 28th.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Showery, possible thunderstorms, high in the low 60s. Sunrise today is at 7:04 am; sunset, 6:55 pm.

ADVANCE ALERT

Another reminder that the low bridge will be closed to surface traffic October 7-14, SDOT announced Monday.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low-bridge cam:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!

Jake September 28, 2023 (9:43 am)

Sooooo what are we going to do about a rainy city and that curve on the bridge? Even going 25-30mph around it, I am sliding all over the place. It’s a problem. Can they use better concrete? They have had anti-slip concrete forever, why are we not utilizing it? The “groove” solution isn’t working.

Lola September 28, 2023 (10:09 am)

I am thinking people are taking this corner too fast. I drive this spot nightly about 4:45 every night and I have never slipped. I have been on it in the rain recently. What are these cars and trucks doing when they get to this spot? It just seems weird how so many are crashing or overturning? Slow down at this spot even more so than you think. I know people accelerate at this spot as it is going up-hill so you start to slow down. Is it people with bald tires? Just bizzare how many people this is happening too.

revilo September 28, 2023 (10:16 am)

It’s just a scenario where the roads are slick right now, some areas more than others. There are some places you can go fast and there are some places where you need to go slow. This area of the WS Bridge is one where you should go slower. The combination of the curve not being super-elevated, humps in the surface which cause your vehicle to bounce up right as you are going though the apex of the curve effecting the weight and contact the vehicle has with the surface and speed will send you out of control – every time. Learn the skills of driving, understand the importance of it, understand the conditions, understand what your car is and isn’t capable of.

Kelly S September 28, 2023 (10:40 am)

I saw a crash in that same spot yesterday on my way home from work around 3PM. What’s up with that spot? Is the DOT checking it out?

Anna September 28, 2023 (12:47 pm)

I have brand new tires and have slipped but was able to get a control of my car. There is a patch of different type of concrete/asphalt which is dangerous as the speed changes with different frictions on different surfaces. I disagree with posts that say “slow down”, I have always been cautious and was still able to slip. I think SDOT should repave or resurface the area to be consistent.

Lisa Barkley September 30, 2023 (10:02 am)

Hi,I was the person who wrecked on the west seattle bridge hill by the turnout on Wednesday at about 2:30pm.I was driving up the hill like I’ve done 1,000 times before. My suv all of a sudden fishtailed to the left, I tried to correct, it caught traction and was sideways at that point, drove right into the pole! I drive over 30,000 miles per year for the past 19 years and have never been in an accident. I can tell you that I was not speeding, there was definitely something oily on the road. When you are driving that corner, your vehicle’s weight will be distributed toward the right side of the vehicle. My suv fishtailed to the left in this situation. Thank goodness no one was on my left when it started. When I came to I saw another 2 car accident on top of the hill and I saw pieces of a green car on the grass after I got out of my vehicle that weren’t from my vehicle. I asked the cop if he saw oil on the road just below the pole and told him what happened. He told me there was.I am ok, just have a bruised, cut, and black/blue right foot, a really sore hip on my left side, and the right side of my neck was sore for 2 days. But no broken bones. The SUV is totalled!