West Seattle, Washington
20 Saturday
Thanks to Aaron for the tip: The traffic signal at 42nd/Alaska in The Junction is dark. That makes it an all-way stop. Checking the Seattle City Light map, we see there’s a two-customer power outage right at that spot, blamed on “equipment failure,” so it is on SCL’s radar.
8:39 AM: Thanks for the tips. 68 homes in North Admiral/Upper Alki have been out of power since just before 5 this morning. The Seattle City Light outage map blames it on a tree. Dave says that tree’s at Sunset/Atlantic, and sent this photo:
1:03 PM: The map shows that, since our last check a couple hours ago, the outage is down to 18 customers.
We’ve been hearing from West Seattleites who say their Quantum/CenturyLink internet service has been having intermittent trouble for the past week or so – particularly a “degradation of service” in the evenings. One of them, Dan, has been gathering reports via social media, summarized as follows:
The Problem:
Severe slowdowns occurring daily from approximately 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Latency spikes 10-30 times normal levels
Packet loss between 3-10%
Download speeds dropping below 1 Mbps
Web pages loading extremely slowly
Video streaming quality significantly reduced or failing entirely
Chloe, the first to send us that summary, added: “Despite multiple reports, residents are struggling to get meaningful responses from CenturyLink regarding resolution timelines.” Here’s how they’ve been advising others who are affected to escalate:
-Document the issue by running network diagnostics during outage periods
-Email CenturyLink executive escalation at: exec-escalation@lumen.com
-Use subject line: “West Seattle Evening Service Degradation – [Your ZIP Code]”
-Include specific details: times affected, technical data if available, impact on daily activities
After hearing about this from multiple readers over the weekend, today we asked parent company Lumen about the problem. Our query was answered by global issues director Mark Molzen:
We know how critical reliable internet service is to our customers and understand that service issues can disrupt daily routines like streaming, browsing, and staying connected.
We’re actively reaching out to customers to better understand the scope of the issue and work with them directly.
We’re committed to resolving this issue as quickly as possible and restoring the reliable service our customers expect. We appreciate their patience and engagement as we work through this.
So if you’re caught up in this, let us know if you get some relief.
If you saw the four-crew SFD response that headed down Jacobsen Road – a major route to and from Beach Drive – here’s what it was about: A natural-gas line break, blamed on “residential construction” workers. 45 minutes after the dispatch, the response has just wrapped up and the remaining three SFD crews are leaving.
2:21 PM: Thanks for the tip. The Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map confirms emergency repairs are under way at California/Juneau; our tipster says one lane is blocked. We’re headed down the hill for a look.
2:43 PM: The problem is on the northbound side of California, north of Juneau. Traffic’s getting by both ways using the southbound side.
4:57 PM: SPU says water service in the area has been restored, adding in response to our followup questions:
SPU received calls around 12:30 p.m. about the incident at California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Juneau Street. SPU dispatched a response crew, which arrived about 20 minutes later. The crew determined the break involved a 12-inch cast iron pipe and turned off water around 1:10 p.m. to make repairs in the residential and business area. The cause of the break is unknown.
Seattle City Light has finally published the video and slide deck from last week’s online meeting about the long-planned, finally under way Brace Point underground-cable replacement project. We monitored it as it happened last Thursday; an hour was allotted, but attendees ran out of questions and the meeting ended after 35 minutes.
The project premise is fairly simple, though the work is not – SCL needs to replace underground cables that have been failing, plunging hundreds of households into multiple outages. The project was originally slated to start in 2020; SCL gave a variety of reasons in 2022 why it didn’t. Then this past spring the project went out to bid again, a contractor was chosen, and work is starting now.
Leading off the meeting, SCL communicator Grant Barton began with a project presentation, including the project team:
Barton then went into a glossary of sorts, defining “electrical vaults” and “electrical conduits.”
He explained that the SCL service area has 590 miles of underground cable, some of it – like the Brace Point cables – buried without conduit protection, mostly back in the ’70s, and that’s put it more at risk of damage and resulting outages, as has happened here. Communications consultant Natasha Wheeler picked it up from there, explaining what the project entails:
She said work will have some traffic effects, and there’ll be flaggers when needed. The work will include some planned outages, likely in spring 2027. That work will involve transferring power service “from the old cables to the new cables” once everything is in place. Here’s the construction timeline:
Q&A included daily construction hours and a specific question on behalf of a condo building in the construction zone which needed to ensure access would be possible for a specific activity (the reply was to be sure to directly talk with the project team to arrange logistics). Another question was about whether above-ground poles would be removed; team member Francis Sammy said no, there are no plans to bury lines that are currently above ground. And then there was a question about whether some curbing and sidewalks would be added; the project team said generally not – their focus would be on “restoring” what they’d have to dig up. But, at least one type of addition is likely in some places – if they’re working at an intersection, restoration would have to be ADA-compliant (regardless of whether the intersection had been so before), which means curb ramps, for example. Barton also said the question suggested they need to include more information on the project website about what “restoration” work will entail. They also were asked about a large redwood tree, and SCL said they have tree protections in the plan. Also, some streetlights will be replaced, they said in response to another question.
P.S. If you’re interested in comparing, here is our report from a similar meeting when the project was about to launch under a different contractor four years ago.
Separate from upcoming projects to replace two culverts that carry Fauntleroy Creek under local roads, emergency repairs are needed for the California SW culvert in the Fauntleroy Church/Y/Schoolhouse area. Seattle Public Utilities has announced the start date:
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will be making emergency repairs to a storm drainage culvert under California Ave at the Fauntleroy Creek crossing. Severe cracks and breaks have damaged the culvert crossing and within the Fauntleroy Church parking lot and will impact and wash out the arterial should it fail. This emergency project is intended to provide asset life until the greater culvert replacement project is constructed.
LOCATION
California Ave SW (Fauntleroy Church parking lot)SCHEDULE & HOURS
Work will start as early as September 22 and will last through October 2025
Monday through Friday, 7 am to 5 pmANTICIPATED IMPACTS
-Equipment in the right of way on California Ave SW
-A new traffic pattern on California Ave SW, with flaggers directing traffic thru the work zone during working hours
-Parking restrictions near the work zone
-Pedestrian and bike lane detours
-Increased construction traffic, noise, dirt, and vibrations
-Pavement excavation and restoration
-Limited access to driveways during construction work hours
Here’s the construction notice featuring all of the above.
News today about another long-delayed city project: The Brace Point underground electrical upgrades are starting, almost six years after the originally projected start date for the project. Thanks to the area resident who shared a notice they’d received, with word that the work is under way on private property now and beginning in public right-of-way in early September. The notice also announced an online community meeting at noon tomorrow (Thursday, August 28) for information and Q&A. We last reported on the project when it went out to bid this past March but hadn’t received City Light notification that work was about to start. Its main component is replacement of underground cables that have failed repeatedly, causing multiple power outages in the neighborhood south of Fauntleroy. The information on the notices mailed to area residents, including how to register for tomorrow’s online meeting, is on the project page. (For backstory on the delays, see this 2022 WSB story.)
(Seattle Public Utilities photo)
When Seattle Public Utilities announced two months ago that the South Transfer Station in west South Park would close for three-plus weeks for “upgrades,” the target reopening date was August 29. We pinged SPU at the end of last week to ask if they were still on schedule for that. This morning, the reply: No. Here’s the extension announcement:
South Transfer Station Closure Extended Through September 10
Alternative Drop-Off Locations Updated for Seattle ResidentsSeattle Public Utilities (SPU) has extended the temporary closure of the South Transfer Station, located at 130 S. Kenyon Street, until September 10, 2025, to allow critical safety upgrades and give the newly replaced tipping floor sufficient time to reach full strength before reopening to the public. This essential project involves replacing 35,000 square feet of tipping floor used for waste handling to ensure safe, efficient operations and to protect the well-being of staff and the public.
During the extended closure, SPU urges customers to postpone non-essential trips and to make use of alternative disposal options. Please note the following changes:
Now through August 30: Customers with Seattle ZIP codes and small residential loads may use King County’s Bow Lake and Renton Transfer Stations.
August 31 through September 10: Customers with Seattle ZIP codes and small residential loads should instead use Seattle’s North Transfer Station.
Large trailer loads and hydraulic-lift vehicles should continue to use Seattle’s North Transfer Station or WM Eastmont during this time.
Before visiting any transfer station, SPU recommends customers:
-Visit www.seattle.gov/south-transfer-station for a full list of disposal alternatives by material type and load size.
-Confirm hours, accepted items, and fees directly with the alternative facility.
-Sort and secure all loads properly.
-Bring smaller loads and plan for increased traffic at open stations.
-Use the “Where Does It Go?” online tool to explore donation, recycling, or curbside pickup options for common items.
(Seattle City Light photos)
8:15 PM: “It’s an insane mess down here.” That’s how one resident describes the scene as Seattle City Light crews continue working to reconnect more than 40 North Delridge homes that have been without power for about 18 hours, since tree trouble took out lines and poles in and around the 4800 block of 26th SW around 2 am.
City Light says it’s hoping to get everyone back on “early tomorrow morning.” According to SCL, they’ve had to replace multiple “severely damaged poles” – the resident says the damaged poles stretch from Delridge Playfield to SW Hudson. and says one house is damaged too. Here’s the current outage zone:
The outage originally cut power to more than 6,700 customers but most of them were back on relatively quickly.
12:29 AM: The 44 in North Delridge are still out, per SCL’s map.
8:37 AM: Still out; crews have worked through the night, neighbor Hillary notes in a comment below.
11:32 AM: Neighbor Michael says the power came back around 9 am (after 31 hours); we’ve been off the desk a while, but checking the SCL map, the outage is indeed now shown as fully resolved.
2:17 AM: More than 6,800 customers are out, mostly in north West Seattle. Cause unknown so far.
2:22 AM UPDATE: Apparently it’s a tree into wires in the 4800 block of 26th SW. SFD is en route.
2:33 AM UPDATE: SPD dispatch also has broadcast a report of a “split pole” in the 4700 block of 25th SW. … Previous outage was this same time of the morning, 2 am-ish, last Wednesday; in that one, a tree fell into a line south of The Junction, affecting 2,000 fewer customers than this outage.
2:43 AM: The firefighters that just arrived told dispatch “multiple trees, multiple lines” are down and suggested they warn City Light this is going to be “a big job.” … Dispatch just told SFD that the outage has “affected a pump station” which in turn might mean lower water pressure.
3:01 AM: Two people have texted that their power’s back on; still waiting for SCL map to update. In many outages (like last Wednesday), some get their power back relatively quickly, others are hours later.
3:06 AM: Map now updated – fewer than 300 customers still out, mostly in North Delridge:
There’s also a pocket of 16 customers still out on Alki, west side of Duwamish Head.
9:26 AM: City Light shows 40+ customers still out. A reader has sent photos of the scene:
Thanks to Cindi for the pic and tip. We don’t know how much longer they’ll be there, but a utility crew has blocked off the outside southbound lane of 35th just past Findlay and is working in a hole in the street. That’s several blocks north of where the street becomes one lane each way, so give yourself extra time if you’re heading that way.
2:04 AM: Thanks for the tip. Big power outage in West Seattle – more than 4,700 customers. No word yet on the cause.
2:18 AM: The SCL map, which says the outage started a few minutes before 2 am, calls its cause “environmental.”
2:23 AM: Some commenters say their power’s already back. The SCL map says they’re among 2,000 restored; it’s still out for 2,700 customers.
2:29 AM: Now the map has changed the cause to “tree/vegetation.” Adding a screenshot of the area still out.
2:48 AM: A “brush fire” to which SFD responded at 42nd/Dawson an hour before the outage started is now looking like the likely cause, as suggested by this report and photo received from Amanda:
There was a large tree that caught on fire on 42nd Ave SW / Dawson at around 12:50 AM. My baby woke up first and then we all jumped out of bed since our entire house smelled like a fire. My husband thankfully went outside to check and that’s when he then saw the tree on fire and called it in. Tree was in the power lines so it may be why there is an outage now.
4:34 AM: Not resolved yet.
5:50 AM: Resolved since our last check.
4:54 PM: SCL’s Jenn Strang confirms to WSB that the outage had its roots in the aforementioned tree situation:
Yes, there was a fire at that location reported about an hour before the outage. City Light was called in to assist. Upon finding a wire down with a tree involved, crews requested that the area be deenergized for safe access.
Larisa from Alki UCC asked us to let you know:
I just got word that our building’s water had to be shut-off, affecting toilet usage during today’s 10 am service, which will still take place.
We ask folks to kindly plan accordingly and apologize for the inconvenience!
Sent by Lara this afternoon: “We’re getting brown water at 42nd Ave SW and Charlestown. It might be a result of the construction across the street, hard to tell. We’ve had SPU trucks on the block for the last few weeks as well.” Most common reason: Hydrant testing. If brown water happens in your home/business, be sure to report it to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800, and let us know too!
9:28 AM: Thanks for the tips. Power went out a short time ago for more than 500 customers in eastern West Seattle, mostly on Puget Ridge. Updates to come.
9:46 AM: Possible cause – SFD has responded to a fire reported atop a pole in the 5600 block of West Marginal Way SW.
10:02 AM: Resolved quickly – only 16 still mapped as out.
4 PM: SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang confirms the pole fire was the cause, though they don’t know what sparked it.
1:46 PM: When multiple readers mention a cable/internet outage, it’s usually fairly big, so we’re making note of this one: Readers in north West Seattle say their Xfinity/Comcast service is out, and that the map (which we can’t see because our area’s not affected) says more than 500 customers are affected, with restoration expected by mid-afternoon.
3:17 PM: The reader who was first to tell us about the outage says it’s resolved. Let us know if you’re still out.
3:55 PM: We have an email report of the outage persisting in at least part of Alki.
11:21 AM: Seattle City Light is on the scene of a power outage affecting nearly 400 customers in The Junction – thanks to the reader who sent that photo along with one of several tips we just received about the outage.
According to the SCL map, this started a few hours ago. It’s affecting some businesses as well as residents; we just heard from Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW), which says they’re out of power. We’re heading to The Junction to see who else is out.
11:39 AM: Before we even could get there, the power returned, reports Sharonn, who saw it happen while on the phone with us providing an update on who was affected.
11:49 AM: The SCL map hasn’t updated yet, so we’re not sure if that was a full or partial restoration.
12:10 PM: Map shows everyone’s back on.
9:56 PM: Someone called 911 a short time ago to say they heard an explosion, and then the power went out, in the Arbor Heights/Seola Beach area. The Seattle City Light outage map shows 26 homes out so far.
9:58 PM: Dispatch just told officers another caller reports the problem is a tree limb that’s fallen into wires.
12:09 AM: Not resolved yet. According to the SPD map, the tree trouble happened in the 10700 block of Seola Beach Drive.
9:16 AM: Resolved overnight.
ORIGINAL 11:33 AM REPORT RE: ALKI … one of your neighbors wants you to know that it’s likely the result of hydrant testing, as SFD was just seen testing one at 57th/Admiral. Hydrant testing is a common cause of discolored water, because it stirs up “sediment” – aka rust – in the lines, but not always, so if brown water happens at your home/business/school, without an obvious explanation like confirmed testing (or a water break) nearby, report it to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800.
ADDED 1:34 PM: Elsewhere, we have this report from Mike southwest of The Junction: “About an hour and a half ago we started getting brown water out of our tap here.” And Chemist, in a comment, reports seeing hydrant testing in Seaview.
Seattle Fire sent a mid-size response, and Seattle Police sent street-closing assistance, but a gas leak in the 4500 block of 26th SW has been handled quickly; SFD reported being able to shut it down within moments of their arrival. They’re checking now for gas levels or other impacts inside at least one nearby house.
Seattle Public Utilities is about to start a round of testing in the Arbor Heights area that might look startling. Here’s the notice sent to us to share with the wider community:
SEWER INSPECTIONS WITH NON-TOXIC SMOKE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Seattle Public Utilities is using a testing method called “smoke testing” to find sewer leaks and/or pipe connection problems. A contractor, Pro-Vac, will be in your neighborhood blowing a colorless water vapor or “smoke” into sewer pipes via maintenance holes; the “smoke” is non-toxic and non-staining but may have a distinctive odor. “Smoke” or its odor is not anticipated to come into your house or building if your plumbing is in good working order and your “p-traps” (the U-shaped pipes under each drain) are filled with water.SCHEDULE
This work is scheduled for late July through end of August. You will receive a door hanger notice 24- to 48-hours before the inspection. Prior to the testing, consider running water for 30 seconds in all your sinks, baths, and showers and pouring water in exposed floor drains.LOCATION
The testing uses maintenance holes within the public right-of-way throughout the Arbor Heights Neighborhood. The “smoke” may travel up to 1,500 feet within the sewer pipe.IMPACTS
Homes and businesses will continue to receive normal sewer services during the inspection.
You may see or smell the “smoke” coming from maintenance holes in the street or right-of-way, sewer vents from roofs or coming out of the ground. This is normal and you do not need to do anything. You may talk with the on-site workers conducting the inspections if you have questions.
If you see or smell “smoke” in your house or building, open doors or windows to increase ventilation. The
vapor should clear within a few minutes.
If smoke continues to remain in your building for more than 5 minutes, talk with the field representatives or
on-site workers conducting the inspections. You may also contact SPU’s emergency Operations Response
Center (ORC) at (206) 386-1800.“Smoke” may have entered your building due to issues with your building’s sewer pipe vents and/or p-traps under sinks, tubs or other drains. If “smoke” came into your building that did not stop when you put water in a drain, please consider contacting a plumber to investigate possible issues with your plumbing.
Here’s the notice in PDF.
We’re getting reports of brown water in south Highland Park this morning. While that’s often a sign of hydrant testing this time of year,i it’s also sometimes a sign of trouble somewhere in the lines, so whenever it happens, be sure to report it to Seattle Public Utilities at 206-386-1800.
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