West Seattle Bridge traffic alert: Eastbound backup from crash

(“Live” image looking westward at the eastbound West Seattle Bridge – refresh for latest)
6:50 AM: Thanks to everybody who has called/texted/e-mailed with word of an eastbound backup on the West Seattle Bridge that’s worse than you’d usually find at this hour. The 911 log lists a crash that apparently did not have major injuries but, according to multiple tipsters, involved three vehicles, so it may take a while to clear. (Late-morning addendum: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore confirms no one was hurt.)

7:10 AM: The crash is described as “at Admiral,” which on the eastbound side means “parallel with.” You can check the various bridge and feeder views (we’re watching them too) from the WSB Traffic page. One WSB’er says via e-mail that the crash involves “two SUVs and one small sedan.”

7:36 AM: Via Twitter, we have a report about the feeder-street backup – half an hour from the Fauntleroy neighborhood and she hadn’t even reached SW Alaska (blocks BEFORE the 35th/Fauntleroy bridge entrance) yet. Adding a “live” bridge image atop this story – refresh the page for the latest view. The crash scene isn’t visible from the existing bridge angles, so if you get through and know whether it’s been cleared, please let us know (once you reach your destination!).

7:52 AM: Via Facebook, Margie says the crash scene itself has been cleared. Backups will take a while. Alex is trying to get to 509 via Holden – on the southeast side of WS – and he’s hit a backup too.

8:24 AM: Most reports say things are getting better, finally. But the hair-raising-commute stories are still coming in – via Twitter, @206SportsFan says, “One hour from Morgan Junction to Luna Park via bus. … New personal ‘best’ worst.” Jana also commuted by bus and tweeted the photo above, after finally reaching the Avalon turnoff on Fauntleroy.

Micheal October 3, 2011 (6:59 am)

I was right behind the clown in the black suburban that cut across at a nearly 45 degree angle … in the no lane changing triangle … with no signal . Do they need any witnesses?

frustrated October 3, 2011 (7:05 am)

In lieu of paying millions extra for “traffic calming” adjustable speed limit signs, could we instead provide some incentive for Seattle police to help clear the road after non-fatal accidents such as this in a reasonable time? They seem to love to block lanes and cause traffic….

Dan October 3, 2011 (7:24 am)

Low bridge is closed according to the reader board on 35th. So much for thinking I could pedal around this mess.

blueemerald October 3, 2011 (7:40 am)

If one witnesses an accident, isn’t one required by law (or at least good judgement and citizenship) to stop and provide information?

Ugh October 3, 2011 (7:47 am)

Caught the 6:50am 54X, still in West Seattle. 55 minutes from Morgan Jct to Luna park cafe.

CMP October 3, 2011 (7:47 am)

I cut down to Delridge from 35th and Avalon, which was clearly a much better choice. I passed the accident around 7:20 so hopefully it’s cleared by now, as the two cars involved seemed ready to be towed away.

dailycommuter October 3, 2011 (7:52 am)

Just got to work (in Ballard) after an hour and 45 minute commute that usually takes 30 minutes or less. The blocking accident cleared the bridge lane just as I passed it and traffic began moving again, around 7:30.

44th Neighbor October 3, 2011 (7:53 am)

It’s cleared. Total commute time to the U District: 1 hour.

SEASPARKY5 October 3, 2011 (7:54 am)

THANKS TO ALL YOUR TRAFFIC INFORMANTS WHO WERE “TEXTING” BEHIND THE WHEEL !

JAT October 3, 2011 (7:58 am)

we’re all “frustrated” but it’s not the Police who cause traffic. You cause traffic and I cause traffic. We are traffic.

Yes huge delays prompted by people not driving calmly and within the limits of their ability and awareness are incredibly frustrating and costly – sometimes people die, sometimes it’s just smashed metal and scattered car parts.

But don’t blame the Police for traffic – blame the nine out of ten cars on the roads at rush hour that only have one person in them.

Sue October 3, 2011 (8:15 am)

Still slow going -on my 54X was 20 minutes late, and it then took another 25 to get to the Avalon bridge entrance.

Bob Loblaw October 3, 2011 (8:24 am)

Hey SEASPARKY5 — The Blog didn’t say anyone was texting while driving. You ever hear of a bus? Lots of West Seattleites are sitting on them right now with nothing better to do.

Jiggers October 3, 2011 (8:24 am)

Let me guess,the accident was caused by someone either texting or talking on their cell phone while driving and not paying attention. Anyone want to bet otherwise.

Heath October 3, 2011 (8:25 am)

WSB folks you are awesome for providing us with this information when all the local news outlets seem to just skip right over us in their traffic updates and the like! Anyway the accident has been cleared but my bus still sat in heavier than usual backups to get downtown.

bsmomma October 3, 2011 (8:28 am)

1 hour and 15 minutes from Fauntleroy Ferry Dock to 8th and Lander…………..

Lorelee October 3, 2011 (8:32 am)

WSB- thanks for reporting on traffic: it really helps me decide my route to work.

Rainier Ave S not Delridge October 3, 2011 (8:38 am)

There’s these things called your legs, and another thing called a bike that might make more sense.

RobertSeattle October 3, 2011 (8:39 am)

The Water Taxi wasn’t backed up at all. /Snark.

Brian October 3, 2011 (8:51 am)

Yay for the first rain commute of the season. Slow down people it is slick out there.

gom October 3, 2011 (8:53 am)

Dress rehearsal to West Seattle Carmageddon in a few weeks.

bridge to somewhere October 3, 2011 (9:07 am)

let me also point out that at 6:50 the fancy new time estimate billboard on 35th listed “18 mins” to 99; about 40 minutes later I actually passed 99–more than double the estimate the board suggested.

velo_nut October 3, 2011 (9:07 am)

I wonder how awful traffic would be if we got rid of the Fauntleroy ferry route?

Kittritz October 3, 2011 (9:12 am)

Pretty normal timing on bus 37 leaving WS at 6:50 AM or so; one hour to the UW. Not bad at all!

Jamie October 3, 2011 (9:18 am)

um, it is perfectly legal to text while sitting on a bus and i really don’t see it as any hazard to be texting from the parking lot standstil that is most often the west seattle bridge and feeder streets (no moving, no hazard). YES cops to cause traffic backups! how many times have i seen a cop pulling someone over for a minor ticket on the bridge or at 2nd/columbia, causing a full lane blockage and backup (like we really need a lane to be blocked at the viaduct enterance at columbia at rush hour)! this is one of the first time the reader board near alaska/fauntleroy has been even close to accurate, it said 35 min to I5 at 7:10am, i got to my work on capitol hill by 8:10, so not that much longer than is my usual hellish wait on the bridge. thank goodness for west seattle blog updates on facebook!

bridge to somewhere October 3, 2011 (9:21 am)

@Rainier AVE S not Delridge: thanks for the judgmental comment! Perhaps you can tell me how to commute from White Center to East Bellevue on a bike in the rain, while also ensuring I drop my 9 month old daughter off at daycare on the way?

K October 3, 2011 (9:24 am)

The accident happened right around 6 a.m. (heard tons of sirens), noticed it when I left the house at 6:17 (Medic One was approaching Harbor Ave intersection and did a u-turn back onto the bridge) and went lower bridge to 99 (smooth sailing). It wasn’t raining at that time, but was still dark out. Hard to believe the accident wasn’t cleared for quite some time after that.

StephenHJ October 3, 2011 (9:37 am)

Vanpool to Redmond – left Morgan & 35th at 7:15. U-turned at traffic 2-3 blocks above 35th & Alaska. Ended up after several decision points taking Roxbury to 1st Ave Bridge, and to I-5 via Michigan. Met the West Seattle ramp at 8:05, and ended up at work at 8:30. If the wreck was on the lower deck access, why was the upper deck stopped?

WSB October 3, 2011 (9:56 am)

SHJ – the crash was on the high bridge.

jsv888 October 3, 2011 (9:41 am)

@bridge to somewhere – you and I should go bowling. I also go from West Seattle to Bellevue with a stop at daycare in between. The self-righteous bicyclists talk needs to stop. Nothing says the weekend is over like a 1.5 hour 15 mile commute!

Donna October 3, 2011 (10:01 am)

The news media doesn’t cover it because it’s a regular occurence. West Seattle bridge is a nightmare and it’s going to get worse. What are our options? Public transportation on bus doesn’t completely solve the problem because those who get on the bus only sit behind way too many single occupancy vehicles.

The water taxi is good and I took it this morning (7:45 one was crowded); however, if you are not commuting to downtown, you are forced to hire a taxi or try to connect to a bus sometimes fairly far away from the dock to get to the final destination.

WSB October 3, 2011 (10:09 am)

If by “news media” people mean “citywide media,” they don’t cover it because neighborhood-level problems – and like it or not, this is a neighborhood-level problem – are too micro for them. And having worked in citywide media, I can tell you that’ll never change. Which is why we’re here – tracing back to 2006, when the West Seattle days-long power outage post-windstorm wasn’t big enough to eclipse 1,000,000 out on the Eastside or people dying of carbon-monoxide poisoning in South King County, so there wasn’t much info in the regional media (TV etc.) about what was happening here. Anyway, that said, at least via Twitter, the KING and KIRO traffic gals (at least one of whom lives in WS) do track the bridge to some degree – at least by “retweeting” our toplines … can’t speak for radio. But if there is a favorite person you always watch or listen to, do voice your opinion directly to them – in this social-media-driven age, most of them are directly accessible via FB, Twitter, or at least e-mail … TR

velo_nut October 3, 2011 (10:03 am)

ahhh… First World Problems.

GF October 3, 2011 (10:15 am)

As the accident on the upper bridge was backing up traffic far up admiral, I elected to take the lower bridge. But just at that point the lower bridge decided it was time to open to allow a boat through. Any thought to limiting opening the lower bridge during commute hours or when the upper bridge is closed due to an accident?

Aj October 3, 2011 (10:16 am)

@Michael- thank you for offering up a witness statement. We should be ok :)

Maude October 3, 2011 (10:23 am)

Bridge is all clear. However, 90E through Mercer Island is backed up.

Curiouser October 3, 2011 (10:26 am)

@Michael: “in the no lane changing triangle”
.
This is called the gore point. The fine for cutting across the gore point is $411.
.
Reference: http://bit.ly/914HUq
.
Seeing drivers cut across the gore point (whether exiting or entering) is one of my pet peeves.
.
I wish they would post a few signs that indicate the cost of the fine for cutting across the gore point.

Micheal October 3, 2011 (10:52 am)

Ah, “gore point” I knew there was a term for it. I didn’t no how else to describe it, thank you.

I can’t stand it either. Every time I see someone do it, especially without signaling, I almost expect them to hit someone. In this case it happened.

It actually didn’t cross my mind to stop. The car was in front of me going onto the bridge, but as it swerved across the gore point, it put it at about my 9 o’clock and as it collided with the other SUV, it was about my 7 or 8 o’clock. In all honesty, my first instinct was to keep focus ahead and get as far away from the carnage as possible, in case the black SUV kept going.

amalia October 3, 2011 (10:53 am)

Second time in 2 weeks my West Sea to Redmond commute took as long in a car as it does on my bike (yes, a 25-each-way bike commute is possible and I do it 4x/week, but is not always pleasant, practical, or practicable). I wish people could just get to work in their cars without causing “accidents.” SLOW DOWN, OBEY THE LAWS, AND PAY ATTENTION!!!

Donna October 3, 2011 (11:22 am)

We are very fortunate to have coverage by WSB. Thank you.

socamr October 3, 2011 (12:08 pm)

Just one more argument for light rail to West Seattle (or anywhere else in our region). Buses get stuck just like cars when there’s an accident like this; light rail doesn’t.

Sick of it October 3, 2011 (12:13 pm)

I’m really getting tired of getting up early in the morning to deal with this kind of crap. Thanks to the jerks who can’t drive safely, they continually ruin EVERYONE’s morning and commute because they are selfish. Absolutely tired of it. I cannot wait to move out of West Seattle and not have to deal with the bridge and idiotic drivers. Start thinking about someone other then yourself when you’re driving!!!!!!

frustrated October 3, 2011 (12:32 pm)

@amalia

I too was thinking about doing the bike thing to the eastside every once and ahwile. Only 25 minutes to Redmond? That seems fast but I believe you.

JAT October 3, 2011 (12:52 pm)

25 miles, frustrated, not minutes – it’s 25 minutes to downtown by bike.

amalia October 3, 2011 (12:58 pm)

25 miles :). I’d like to think I’m that fast, but not even close. Takes me ~1.5 hours.
But hey, I’d love to help you figure out a route if you’re interested! I know there are other resources out there, but if you need any help, contact me at aiesposito(at)yahoo.
(sorry, didn’t mean to hijack.)

austin October 3, 2011 (3:38 pm)

Same ~half hour to south lake union at 7:25 as usual. Good thing for the bus lane eh.

Laconique October 3, 2011 (3:51 pm)

Yeah, thank god for the bus lane. I don’t understand why people hate on it. I hope they realize that people on those buses often have chosen to be one less car on the road. I feel like yelling “you’re welcome” out the window of the bus at every single occupancy vehicle we pass.

Robert2715 October 3, 2011 (4:55 pm)

Laconique,

I recall a Murphy Brown quote where she said something like, “I wish more people who take the bus to work so my drive would be faster”.

AJ October 3, 2011 (6:16 pm)

I was involved in this morning’s accident, which occured at 6:12a.m. If anyone witnessed the two passangers of the black SUV who cut across the lanes, please call the Seattle PD. They fled on foot immediately after hitting my car and the other car. I’d like to know who put me in the hospital this morning. Thanks, AJ.

K October 3, 2011 (9:05 pm)

I’m sorry this happened to you AJ. We drove through to the lower bridge at 6:17am and did not notice anyone on foot (coming from harbor/avalon). I hope that you’re okay and that the license plates of the abandoned vehicle gave the police something to go on.

JN October 3, 2011 (9:10 pm)

I don’t think anyone is saying that everyone should ride their bike 25 miles each way (though that is pretty hardcore!). I ride every day to work downtown, rain or shine, summer or winter, but I sure wouldn’t ride 25 miles each way! 6 mile commute for me, and I do that because it’s much faster than the bus, especially if you count door-to-door time, and I don’t get involved in any traffic issues like today. Again, though, if you live within a reasonable distance to your work, then riding your bicycle would be a good option.

bridge to somewhere October 4, 2011 (9:16 am)

@JN: Well, one person wrote, “There’s these things called your legs, and another thing called a bike that might make more sense.” I perceived that to be a suggestion that I should be biking to work, as opposed to taking my car over the bridge. But I could be wrong.

drb October 4, 2011 (11:32 am)

If people would just drive like civilized human beings then these stupid accidents wouldn’t happen all the time. I frequently get cars cutting me off…getting in front of me at the last minute so I have to slam on my breaks…whats the rush…you aren’t going to get there all that much faster. I am so sick of these drivers who act like there is no one as important as them on the road. I agree with the walkers, bike riders and bus riders ..all of those are better options..but for those of us that need to drive cars..just a little caution an courtesy would go a long way to making the drive in to work or home a better one for all of us. Think!! Rationally!!!… And leave your silly ego at home!

amalia October 4, 2011 (12:48 pm)

Well put, drb. Too bad the worst offenders probably aren’t listening (and don’t care).

JN October 4, 2011 (1:56 pm)

@bridge to somewhere, yes, if you live within a reasonable distance and are physically able then you should consider using a bicycle as a way to get where you need to go. I was just replying to a previous post that cited a 25-mile commute (in which they also stated that two times this week it has taken as long to drive there as bike). I wasn’t trying to come off as forcing someone to bike, just meant to say that it is an option. I don’t know what your commute is like, I just wanted to let people know if you live relatively close to where you need to go, bicycling (especially with the upcoming viaduct closure) could be a viable option. Sorry again if I was unclear.

JAT October 4, 2011 (3:25 pm)

Oh, Waaaaah!

Someone implied we should all bike and it hurt my feelings! Self-Righteous bicyclists are oppressing me!

JN, stop apologizing!

I too have a kid I need to transport and sometimes need to go to the Eastside, and when I do sometimes find myself stuck in traffic; those are the breaks.

Number One Perpetrator of the “war on cars” is: All The Other Cars – particularly those driven by aggressive me-first I’m-a-good-driver-everyone-else-is-a-chump jerks. Those who can’t bear to be behind someone only going 5mph over the speed limit, those trying to cross over three lanes of traffic in one movement – without signalling, those who find themselves “stepping on it” a couple of times every trip they take.

jsv888 and bridgetosomewhere – why don’t you get together and go bowling – and while you’re at it discuss forming a carpool!

JN October 4, 2011 (7:20 pm)

Sorry JAT. I guess I didn’t want to offend anyone so badly, I became an apologist. I really didn’t want anyone to think I was one of those supposed “self-righteous” cyclists, so I took a very passive approach. However, I just can’t help but feel a LITTLE smug when I pass the backed-up traffic in the morning. I take it as a kind of karma for all of the harassment I’ve received from motorists over the years.