3 PM: As we first reported Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Seattle for two campaign fundraisers today, and one is expected to be in West Seattle, at a house on the west end of Genesee Hill. Officers, valet parkers, and other signs of a big event are in view there:
She left Los Angeles aboard Air Force Two earlier this afternoon and is due to land at Boeing Field around 3:30 pm. We don’t have official route information but if you’ll be on the road over the next few hours – including the high bridge – be mindful of possible traffic holds when the motorcade is in transit. Updates to come.
3:16 PM: The high-bridge camera has been turned off (traffic cameras along motorcade routes usually are) as of about a minute ago, indicating a traffic closure. … Other cameras have been deactivated too, including through The Junction. … Planes like Air Force Two won’t generally show on flight trackers, but the law-enforcement helicopter Guardian One is in the air near Boeing Field.
3:36 PM: Our crew in the fundraiser-site neighborhood says SWAT units, a K-9, and WSDOT incident-team vehicles have all arrived.
3:43 PM: Bridge camera’s back on but the westbound side is still devoid of traffic.
(Screengrab from SDOT camera)
(Added: Photo by Kevin Freitas)
3:56 PM: Motorcade just crossed the West Seattle Bridge. … It’s reopening to regular traffic. Note that Vice President Harris is scheduled to be at another fundraiser elsewhere in the city/region by 6 pm, so look for more traffic closures (including the bridge) on the return route. Her official schedule said her remarks here are planned for 4:35 pm. (Added) Thanks to Mark Verschell for video of the motorcade passing 44th/Alaska in The Junction:
Here’s our photographer’s view as they passed Genesee Hill Elementary:
Motorcycle officers conferred upon arrival:
(WSB photo)
4:36 PM: We’re still in the area and there are signs her departure is imminent – the bridge will be closing again too.
4:44 PM: Eastbound bridge now shut down per SDOT.
4:56 PM: Our crew says she hasn’t left yet.
5:03 PM: She just left, and the motorcade is headed for the bridge. Traffic has been stopped at California/Alaska waiting for them to pass.
5:12 PM: Police have just given the all-clear to fully reopen the West Seattle Bridge.
ADDED: Thanks to Jamie Kinney for video of the vice president waving through the window as her motorcade departed:
More of the sights outside the event – Jamie also caught U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Sen. Maria Cantwell arriving:
We spotted one local politician who wasn’t going to the event – she was just hanging out with the gawkers (and her kids), State Rep. Emily Alvarado:
And Ryan Levinsohn sent this view of Zoe and Arwyn waving as the motorcade passed:
Thanks again to everyone who sent photos and video!
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