Update: Progress reported on low-bridge restrictions

| Transportation | West Seattle news

8 o’clock sharp this morning, we took that photo from Spokane/Marginal, with truck traffic backed up three ways while the low bridge was open about a mile ahead. Two days ago, we told you West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen was intensifying his push to restrict bridge openings during AM and PM rush hours, in hopes of cutting down on situations like the one you see above; today, there’s word of progress on the proposal — according to the Times, the regional U.S. Coast Guard district plans to publish a notice that will start a 60-day period for comment from the marine industry, after which another 30-day review period would be required before the restrictions (7-9 am and 4-6 pm) would potentially take effect. We have a call out to the USCG to find out more.

Johnny Davies March 5, 2008 (11:28 am)

This is a terrific way to ease some of our rush hour congestion that happens most weekdays.

Thank you Tom! Nice job!

fiz March 5, 2008 (12:28 pm)

Another huge improvement would be to restrict 18-wheeler traffic on the Spokane Street Viaduct during the morning rush, directing truck traffic to the surface Spokane Street. Trucks entering the viaduct just before the First Avenue exit and changing to the left lane to use I-5 northbound really stacks up eastbound traffic; I’ve seen and been in several near-misses when the trucks refuse to yeild right of way.

Eileen March 5, 2008 (12:29 pm)

These bridge openings effect bicycle commuters too and it would be helpful to have this rush hour moratropium on bridge openings

fiz March 5, 2008 (12:29 pm)

…that would be ‘yield’. Darn typos.

Cheryl March 5, 2008 (12:49 pm)

Fiz – I like it! I have been a near miss also.

old timer March 5, 2008 (1:16 pm)

“Iâ€™ve seen and been in several near-misses when the trucks refuse to yeild right of way.”
——————————————————–
Well then, don’t try to crowd the truck.

You obviously know this up- and-move-left pattern is typical of trucks. Accept it. You could become a newsworthy traffic cam incident while you enforce your turf boundaries.
Keep your eyes open, pay attention, let the traffic merge.
We’re all in the same soup.

MJD March 5, 2008 (3:59 pm)

fiz, due to the fact that most of the trucks are transporting containers to and from the terminals at the Port, it would never be feasible to limit the hours that 18 wheelers can travel in the area. Terminal 5, 18 and 46 are congested enough with the hours that they offer.

Pete March 5, 2008 (4:37 pm)

Mkae sure to either write or call Tom Rasmusen’s office, call or write the Coast Guard and yoru local congressional leaders to keep the pressure up to get this done. We need to make sure that the Coast Guard hears just as loudly from the community as they are going to hear from the maritime interests. so get busy on those keyboards everyone so we can make sure that this becomes a reality for all of us on the West Seattle peninsula.