TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday, with Seattle World Cup match #4; westbound bridge car-on-side crash

7:35 AM: Thanks for the tip and photo. A car-on-side crash at the curve on the westbound West Seattle Bridge.

7:49 AM: Most of the initially large response has been dismissed; we’ll be following up with SFD re: injuries. Obviously if you’re headed inbound any time soon, you’ll want to find another route, like the low bridge.

8:07 AM: Police will be closing the EB lanes too.

8:24 AM: Live camera shows that side open and traffic coming from the WB side too; SFD log shows their responders have all cleared.

Earlier:

6:09 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, June 26, 2026, with Seattle World Cup match #4 tonight.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET

The rain is here, but expected to taper off later this morning, with some sun, high in mid-60s. Sunrise was at 5:13 am; sunset will again be at 9:11 pm (latest of the year).

SEATTLE WORLD CUP MATCH #4

Egypt vs. Iran, 8 pm at Lumen Field (“Seattle Stadium”). So starting this afternoon, this area near the stadium will again be off-limits to motor vehicles:

TRANSIT TODAY

Matchday overview – Here’s the rundown courtesy of Metro Matters.

Metro buses – Reroutes in the no-motor-vehicles zone shown above, otherwise, regular weekday schedule.

West Seattle Water Taxi – Adding a second boat to facilitate extra matchday runs (which may throw off the schedule) plus later service tonight, an update from what was previously announced:

The West Seattle route will have extended late-night service on Friday 6/26 after the 8 pm FIFA match. The final sailing will depart Pier 50 at 12:15am. Sailing times may vary from posted schedule.

Estimated Pier 50 departures:
11:05pm
11:15pm
11:35pm
11:45pm
12:15am (Sat 6/27)

Estimated Seacrest departures:
11:20pm
11:30pm
11:50pm
12:00am (Sat 6/27)
12:30am (Sat 6/27)

Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule. Check the alert page for last-minute changes.

WATCH PARTY STREET CLOSURE

Downtown White Center is closing 16th SW for the “Gather for Goals” outdoor watch party 11 am-7 pm.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

The city cameras’ updating-framegrab feature is back, per a the SDOT map, so we’ve returned them to the morning lineup:

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):

1st Avenue South Bridge:

See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

Derek June 26, 2026 (8:00 am)

They buckled the middle wall all the way into the eastbound lane. They’ll be forced to do something about it now

Odd son June 26, 2026 (12:23 pm)

Sarcasm? The barrier has been pushed into the opposite lane several times.

Curious George June 26, 2026 (8:16 am)

The car on its side looks close to Darwin’s Curve 🤔🤷‍♂️

Mike B June 26, 2026 (8:25 am)

I was travelling EB in at the moment of the crash and witnessed the car hit the barrier and become airborne. I had to swerve to avoid being hit by the moving barrier and debris that was flying into the EB lanes. Super scary!

B M X June 26, 2026 (8:45 am)

moisture falls, and THE CURVE STRIKES AGAIN!!

K to the F June 26, 2026 (8:48 am)

Reset the counter! https://curvycrashes.com/

sls June 26, 2026 (9:22 am)

Wet pavement – usual slippery section?? When is SDOT going to take this seriously? Speed limit signs are not working.

Kathy June 26, 2026 (4:25 pm)

When is the American automotive industry going to be required to make vehicles that are safe both to the people inside them and the people walking, biking, breathing or in other cars? There are safety and emissions exemptions for SUVs and trucks. Free interactive NYT article: The deadly rise of giant trucks and SUVs

Mike B June 26, 2026 (9:28 am)

This crash happened right in front of me as I was headed Eastbound. I saw the car hit the barrier and go airborne. I had to swerve to avoid the moving barrier and debris flying into the EB lanes. Scary!

Marty2 June 26, 2026 (9:56 am)

Why doesn’t SDOT install a video camera at this problem location to see how these incidents happen?

WSB June 26, 2026 (10:33 am)

There is a camera at that spot. It’s been broken for years. Both still and video.

ShermanO June 26, 2026 (10:59 am)

It’s a 4Runner, which like virtually all the victims of this curve has a truck frame and a solid rear axle. The double bump there unloads a solid axle at the curve and as the pavement surface changes. It’s astonishing that there has been no effort to fix this obviously abnormal and unexpectedly dangerous stretch of road. I’m afraid there will have to be a fatality to get any action. I hope not.

B June 26, 2026 (11:40 am)

I agree. It’s impossible to judge a safe speed to navigate this curve because there is a hidden hazard there. The hidden hazard is the dips, which heavily contribute to a loss of traction for certain vehicles, especially when the pavement is wet.
- Derp June 26, 2026 (1:22 pm)
  
  It wouldn’t be a problem if people actually drove the speed limit. But noAgain, there would be wrecks all day long if it was a real problem and not just people speeding
  - B June 26, 2026 (9:10 pm)
    
    Perhaps if everyone drove the same vehicle that crashed today, there would be wrecks all day long as you state, even if they slowed appropriately for the curve. Some people who have crashed here said they were not speeding. This is a peculiar section of roadway and every vehicle handles it differently.
- bill June 26, 2026 (4:04 pm)
  
  B: The advisory speed is 30 mph. But to your point, that may not be safe when traffic behind is approaching at 60.
Christopher B. June 26, 2026 (12:44 pm)

This. I don’t see people bringing this up very much in this endless debate about the issues with that section of road (aka West Seattle’s Bermuda Triangle), but I too have observed that there is a series of very subtle dips there that very likely could be the culprit. And those dips might be having an effect on certain vehicle more than others.
bill June 26, 2026 (1:07 pm)

The astonishing thing about Darwin’s Curve is the excuses apologists come up with to deflect blame from drivers. Now it’s the Fabled Fauntleroy Double Bumps. Which are barely perceptible.
Frankly, I am fine with drivers crashing on the curve instead of careening at 60 mph into cars stopped at the light. If anything, the road should be regraded so crashing cars slide off into a junkyard and the road stays open.

Gay June 26, 2026 (11:53 am)

The road is not the responsible party here.

Actualperson June 26, 2026 (1:09 pm)

Gay. Ummm no, the road actually IS the problem.
- Derp June 26, 2026 (8:20 pm)
  
  If you drive the speed limit, it isn’t a problem. If there was a huge problem, don’t you think there would be wrecks all day long. Come on, really think about. And drive the store limit
ITotallyAgreeWithYou June 26, 2026 (1:23 pm)

@Gary-The road and wetness are the only two common denominators in every single accident, so yes, it’s the road.
- Julian June 28, 2026 (8:50 am)
  
  You’ve analyzed the tire wear and speed of each car, their attentiveness at the time of the wreck, and steering inputs? The road and wetness was the same for the cars that came through safely shortly before and after this one, so no it’s not the road
Gay June 26, 2026 (8:37 pm)

Why so defensive. Tell us how you take that curve! Any flips?

Frank June 26, 2026 (12:21 pm)

I cant imagine the fire and police resources burned at this spot over the years. Its gotta be through the roof.

erik June 26, 2026 (12:31 pm)

But SDOT insists that putting up signs will do anything to help the problem…

Derrick June 26, 2026 (3:04 pm)

I wonder from a legal liability stand point – as this exact location has had a known disproportionate number of accidents and no action to mitigate them have been taken – is the city or SDOT putting us tax payers at risk of having to make a pay out to the inevitable next victim of this stretch of known danger?

Matt Lock June 26, 2026 (6:40 pm)

Legal liability – based on what source of “known disproportionate number of accidents”? WSB? Police Reports? How does the WS compare with other “problem” areas? No action to mitigate? Based on my background knowledge, the WSB has reported feedback from the City on this issue. Will have a challenge to state that they (City) didn’t do “enough”. Or are you stumping for a class action lawsuit that will result in $100 million settlement fund?
Actualperson June 26, 2026 (6:45 pm)

Derrick. That answer is: YES. It’s a known pavement problem they ignore. I have actually talked with SDOT incident response truck drivers. They have told the downtown office about the pavement issues, but nobody will come out of their cubicles on a wet day and drive-and see that curve for themselves. Moral of this story is YES, a good lawyer will get a boatload of money from the city one of these days and YES, it’s us the taxpayers who will ultimately pay.
bill June 26, 2026 (7:26 pm)

The vehicle code is very clear that driving appropriately for conditions is the responsibility of every driver. Otherwise by your reasoning every curve and every intersection on every road would be a gold mine for lawsuits.
- nothend June 26, 2026 (9:21 pm)
  
  The city paid 9 mil to a bicyclist (and rightfully so) for a bike path that had lots signage that tried and failed to make a poor design safe. https://www.theurbanist.org/ballards-dangerous-missing-link-train-tracks-to-be-paved-over-this-fall/  In addition to the multi-million bike lane settlement, the city frequently faces payouts over dangerous intersections and unaddressed safety hazards. I believe fixing the curve will end up being dollars well spent, I’d like to see the two concrete panels replaced (remove the hump) and continue the longitudinal grooving around the curve.