Today’s second ‘again?’ story – another westbound West Seattle Bridge collision

8:19 PM: Thanks for the tips. While we were away from the desk for a while, yet another collision was reported in the curve/pullout area toward the southwest end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge. The SFD 911 log shows initial dispatch just after 6 pm; there was another dispatch just before 7 but archived radio indicates that was NOT a new crash – apparently someone called in the same one a second time. Our video shows the spun-out car and downed pole/sign around the time of the second response – we assigned a back-seat passenger to try to get a visual as we past eastbound; that didn’t work so we turned around and went westbound, and what you see is what we got – the car is briefly visible around :13 in. We’re checking with SFD re: injuries. If you missed it, here’s our latest story on what SDOT says it will do regarding the crash risk in that area.

10:19 PM: SFD says no injuries were reported.

1994 January 2, 2026 (9:07 pm)

the curve is cursed…..time for some SDOT voodoo to heal the curve.

Greg January 2, 2026 (9:22 pm)

Does someone have to die before something changes? How many?

Jethro Marx January 2, 2026 (10:50 pm)

Are you suggesting the state revoke drivers’ licenses for some period of time after they prove to be a hazard, even in single-car collisions? Sounds good to me.
- IDC9 January 3, 2026 (6:19 am)
  
  If you, either through recklessness or negligence, cause a crash on our roads, your license should be suspended at minimum, and maybe even permanetly revoked. This should also apply to those who deliberatey cause a crash. If we are going to get our horror road toll (the number of fatalities) to truly come down, a significant step we can take is to take drivers who show that they cannot be responsible behind the wheel off the roads. Will it solve the entire problem? No. Will it help put a dent in it? Yes.
  - Rob January 3, 2026 (3:21 pm)
    
    People will drive no matter what. The more with suspended license the more uninsured cars on the road.
Brett January 2, 2026 (11:27 pm)

I think there might need to be a death before anything changes unfortunately.
AJ January 3, 2026 (6:33 am)

30 mph! The speed limit is posted twice before the curve. Follow the law and the accidents will stop.
- Chemist January 3, 2026 (10:58 am)
  
  The black and white speed limit sign on the westbound bridge is 45 mph after the bridge apex/crest. The black and yellow “curvy road” speed advisory sign near the bottom of the Fauntleroy Expressway leading up to West Seattle is 30 mph. The law says “No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.” so both can be legal.
Erik January 3, 2026 (11:13 am)

Probably. SDOT has shown time and time again that they will throw millions at non problems just to slow traffic down in non problematic areas while ignoring the real problems like this curve. I can guarantee that the very first time someone dies on this curve they’ll be out within a week working on the pavement. They know they need to do something about it. And putting additional signage up won’t do a damn thing.
- WiseWoman January 4, 2026 (10:33 am)
  
  Yup a lawsuit would fix it

Derp January 2, 2026 (10:42 pm)

Jumping to conclusions before you know a thing about the wreck. Slow down people. Wet pavement should tell you that, but no.

Dave January 3, 2026 (2:14 am)

Maybe road expert Rob Saka can spend time fixing this. Who is the bureaucrat at SDOT who is retired on the job and dreaming up new signage? Maybe SDOT is taking advice from the guys who brought us MCAS at Boeing.

22blades January 3, 2026 (5:29 am)

Fixed the problem.

radioflyer January 3, 2026 (5:51 am)
IDC9 January 3, 2026 (6:21 am)

So your solution is to only allow busses to use the West Seattle Bridge? I can’t see the majority of West Seattle residents being on board with that idea.
- GH January 3, 2026 (1:58 pm)
  
  I’m personally at least 10k people and I support it.
ben January 3, 2026 (8:11 am)

If only drivers actually paid attention to the “Bus Only” markers, this would be a wonderful solution
Canton January 3, 2026 (8:57 am)

You car haters are like petulant 8 year olds… Grow up!…
- SoLongDelridge January 3, 2026 (3:30 pm)
  
  Hard to believe someone can say this unironically.
The King January 3, 2026 (9:18 am)

Even metro is smart enough to not use that section of the bridge. When’s the last time you saw one on that section?
- Jort January 3, 2026 (10:08 pm)
  
  Every single weekday for several years? When the 21X uses it? Do you know what the 21X is?

Kevin January 3, 2026 (6:30 am)

Not sure if this has been discussed here before but the road is dangerous because of the exposed aggregate in the concrete. The older sections of concrete was made with what appears to be large river rock aggregate that is now over exposed due to the wear of the concrete around it. The river rock is extremely slippery when wet and especially if your vehicle has old tires. Compounding the issue is the design of the corner which follows the long downhill sections of the west Seattle bridge. Drivers speeding down the bridge apply the brakes mid corner which loads the front is their car and unloads the rear causing the car to start spinning. I’m curious what type of surface would result from a surface grind.

Curious George January 3, 2026 (9:54 am)

I agree Kevin. Resurface and or grind is better then doing nothing. I still want my Darwin’s Curve scoreboard tho. 😉
bill January 3, 2026 (2:47 pm)

Or drivers could notice the recommended speed sign and brake before the curve. Works for me.

Watertowerjim January 3, 2026 (7:03 am)

Yelling “Just slow down” obviously doesn’t work. Fix it.

Hammer in Hand January 3, 2026 (10:41 am)

Enforcement! 3 weeks of random Enforcement $360 a pop. And if you cause or flip your car and reckless to it. Oh suspect DUI. That key of entitlement “throw it away”. Problem solved
GH January 3, 2026 (2:00 pm)

IMO the city should supplement the current pedestrian bridge at Andover with an additional pedestrian bridge at Charlestown so we can yell SLOW DOWN from a more proximal location.

B M X January 3, 2026 (9:02 am)

yes..the infamous WSB whoop de doos strike again!

Skip the religion January 3, 2026 (9:59 am)

How long before someone not only gets hurt but the city gets sued for leaving this well known problem left unresolved? This is not the only curved street in the city where it rains often. But I’d bet this one because of the incline, speed, and high usage has the highest rate of incidents. Let’s stop the shaming and fix the problem before it costs millions making some ambulance chaser wealthy with our tax dollars.

WiseWoman January 4, 2026 (10:39 am)

Exactly this city has to be sued to fix anything and when they fix something they make it worse!!

Ferns January 3, 2026 (10:27 am)

At this point, the city is being negligent. This is a known problem area in the road and someone who is a victim of this pavement and curve is going to sue the city for millions of dollars. And they are going to win. Come on city let’s fix this area now. Before more people are hurt and you lose a giant lawsuit for negligence. You’re aware of the problem. We all know you’re aware of the problem. Do the smart and safe thing and fix this area. How do I know this is how it will go? Because the city got sued by a cyclist over a known road problem area elsewhere in the city and lost.

Marty2 January 3, 2026 (11:48 am)

Until there is a solution, we should provide bumper stickers near the Welcome to West Seattle sign for cars that spin out that say “I was a victim of the infamous West Seattle Curve”.

Driver January 3, 2026 (12:32 pm)

Knock on wood but I haven’t had a car accident or traffic citation in over 30 years. What’s my secret? I don’t drive stupidly which means I don’t take my eyes off the road & I adjust my speed based on road conditions, weather, etc.

Driving a car safely is NOT difficult.

You drive too fast, you multi-task while driving (texting, drinking coffee, eating) … pay the friggin’ attention, it’s a car & you could kill someone.

Again, driving IS NOT difficult … YOU make it difficult.

935 January 3, 2026 (12:44 pm)

I have driven this stretch of road for damn near every day for 35 years. Sun, rain, snow, wind, rain, more rain and even MORE rain – earthquakes, pandemic, elections. Pretty much everything short of alien invasions and the Rapture. Never once have I had a problem.

This is NOT a road issue. It is a driver issue. Full Stop.

MacGyver January 3, 2026 (5:27 pm)

All this focus on Curby, we’ve neglected Curvy.

K to the F January 3, 2026 (9:17 pm)

I got you: http://curvycrashes.com/
- WiseWoman January 4, 2026 (10:41 am)
  
  I ❤️ U

Julian January 4, 2026 (5:30 am)

The people who think accidents at this curve will eventually result in a death are even funnier than the people who think the road is the problem. It’s an uphill, low speed curve; the only thing it will result in is vehicle damage and embarrassment to those not competent enough to navigate it. Meanwhile the thousands who pass through it daily without incident rain or shine, two wheels or four, will be just fine.

Greg January 4, 2026 (6:55 pm)

I did a simple search on Google. Found that among non- cyclist or pedestrian involved car accidents, 40% occur between 40 to 50 mph. Julian, would you find it funny for your neighbors high school kid to die on that curve? Again, I ask if someone has to die before the city mandates the curve at 35 mph and puts up big signs, (like up in the mountain switch-backs), at least until they can re-pour the smooth aggregate panels.
- Julian January 5, 2026 (8:26 am)
  
  Without more context on those crashes, the speed alone means nothing. Were those crashes single car accidents? Because this isn’t a multi car issue and that’s considerably less likely on the divided road that is the West Seattle bridge (Acknowledging it did happen a few years ago because of the drunk driver). Did those crashes have a large shoulder area to slide off on? Because the point in the bridge where these folks keep crashing does. Did those crashes involve sliding into a grassy embankment to lessen the impact? Because that’s on the West Seattle bridge. Your concern of death is chicken little fear mongering. If someone manages to get themselves killed on this curve it would truly be a Darwinian feat.
  - Greg January 5, 2026 (9:04 pm)
    
    Not fear mongering, just law of averages. Lots of accidents equals dangerous curve. Now it’s common knowledge and common sense. Something is wrong with that curve. Eventually someone will die on it.

DemandCurve January 5, 2026 (6:52 am)

My unloaded Tacoma slipped here at maybe 45 mph. The rear slid out slightly before traction control took over. I know 45 is too fast but roads should be designed for the prevailing speed / reasonable speed not just the posted speed. Anything else is negligence. There is something wrong with the road surface. Nothing about the road curvature suggests that 45 would reasonably result in a loss of control.