West Seattle traffic alert: Gas line cut in Fauntleroy

| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
10:57 AM: Fire crews are working right now between Fauntleroy Schoolhouse/Church and the Endolyne business district, because a work crew is reported to have cut a gas line at California SW/Brace Point Drive (map). They’ve called in police for traffic control – this is a major route between 35th SW and the ferry dock, too. No injuries reported, and Puget Sound Energy is reported to be on the way.

11:16 AM UPDATE: On the west side of this situation, traffic is blocked at 45th/Wildwood – and that’s affecting at least one Metro bus.

We’re checking on where it’s stopped on the east side. But again, don’t head west on Barton from 35th SW till this is cleared up, if you’re expecting to head to Fauntleroy Church/Y/Schoolhouse, the ferry terminal, or Endolyne businesses.

11:26 AM UPDATE: On the east side of the area where the line was cut, the road is blocked at 42nd/Barton.

12:03 PM UPDATE: Per a comment, pedestrians and cars are “being slowly let through.”

12:11 PM UPDATE: Per the scanner, PSE has turned off the gas, so the Seattle Fire units are clearing. And if you hear/see a helicopter, it’s a TV chopper checking out the scene.

5:29 PM UPDATE: Buses apparently still are not being allowed through, and there’s no update on when that will end.

6:57 PM UPDATE: The bus reroute has just ended, according to Metro.

Keir Hichens November 7, 2012 (11:28 am)

The firefighters are now slowly letting pedestrians and cars through.

WSB November 7, 2012 (11:53 am)

Thanks – our crew has been back twice but had to be diverted to check out something else a short time ago – TR

Heidi November 7, 2012 (12:05 pm)

Is this the reason for the chopper circling over 42nd/Genessee area? This seems a little to far north from the gas leak but it keeps circling.

WSB November 7, 2012 (12:06 pm)

No, there’s a TV station shooting for an unrelated, non-emergency story. Their frequencies are on our scanner, too.

Cid November 7, 2012 (12:28 pm)

I could smell the gas as I left the Fauntleroy Y, but appreciate the post just to confirm. Traffic was a mess.

sam-c November 7, 2012 (1:00 pm)

were you diverted (11:53 post) to figure out why ~8 cop cars went flying south on Delridge?

WSB November 7, 2012 (1:06 pm)

No. I’ve been listening to the scanner for hours now, haven’t heard anything meriting a big police response in this area …

JD November 7, 2012 (2:57 pm)

Does anyone know if the gas has been turned back on in that area? Trying to figure out if I’m cooking dinner tonight or not! Hope everyone is ok!!??

boy November 7, 2012 (3:12 pm)

Remember to call before you dig.

why_cause November 7, 2012 (3:19 pm)

The road was closed to through traffic at 3:00. They were only letting cars through that are trying to get home in that area or in my case pick up my son from Little Pilgrim Preschool. I heard one of the workers tell the driver of the C RR that he was going to be the last bus they were going to let through. I would still avoid Barton for awhile.

WSB November 7, 2012 (3:40 pm)

Thanks, Why Cause. I see a Metro advisory among recent texts – will see if that’s what they are talking about.

Ben November 7, 2012 (3:24 pm)

at 3:15pm i received the first email from Metro notifying riders about possible delays due to this gas leak (http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/WAKCDOT-5b775b) — that is, FOUR HOURS after WS Blog reported it at 11:16am.
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based on previous notifications like this from Metro, i fully expect to get an email in the next few minutes saying the issue has been resolved – that’s usually how they do it.
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why bother?

Byte November 7, 2012 (5:27 pm)

Is this still ongoing? There is still a lot of traffic on streets for the southbound Barton detour.

WSB November 7, 2012 (5:29 pm)

There was work at the intersection already but apparently repairs following the line-cut this morning have led to buses not being allowed through. I added it to the daily traffic/transit lineup but need to add it here.