West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
After big concrete-pour days on Friday and Monday, the King County Wastewater Treatment Division has just announced another one is coming up tomorrow at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project site across from Lowman Beach. Spokesperson Doug Marsano says it’ll work the same way as those two recent days – starting around 7 am, with up to 10 trucks an hour throughout the day bringing concrete to finish the base of the under-construction million-gallon tank.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
And we’re off! Welcome to Tuesday. Transportation-news notes for starters:
THE BUS SERVICE YOU’RE BUYING: On Monday afternoon, a news release went out saying that Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine are formally sealing the deal for three years and $120 million of bus service that’ll be funded by what you voted for last year. It didn’t get into specific routes/times, so we asked for documentation detailing those and hope to get it today. (Added Wednesday: Find it here.)
9:10 AM: Just in case you ran into this problem – Metro has responded to Maggie’s tweet and says they’ll check it out:
@kcmetrobus @westseattleblog ORCA card reader broken at stop 19790 (Morgan Junction, West Seattle). pic.twitter.com/KsxYXof5nR
— SudsyMaggie (@SudsyMaggie) January 13, 2015
4:56 PM: Water Taxi’s 4:45 and 5 pm runs have been canceled for mechanical trouble (thanks to Jana for the tip via Twitter, before the official alert!) – the county says it’ll resume at 5:15 pm from downtown.
Thanks to “Diver Laura” James for today’s featured photos – taken at Cove 1 by Seacrest on Sunday. The first and third, she explains, are a young female Common Goldeneye, and the middle photo shows squid eggs. Before we’re too much further into Monday, four p.m. highlights from our calendar:
ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: 1:30-3 pm at Providence Mount St. Vincent, “a free support group for unpaid care partners, family members and friends of individuals with memory loss” is open to any and all interested. (4831 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE PRESCHOOL FAIR: 5:30-7:30 pm, the West Seattle Preschool Association‘s annual event for families seeking preschools – details in our calendar listing. In the hall at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. (California/Hanford)
HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY PTA: 5:30-7:30 pm in the cafeteria, all welcome to the Highland Park Elementary PTA‘s meeting tonight. (1112 SW Trenton)
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, all welcome to the NDNC‘s January meeting. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7 AM: As we head for the heart of the commute, there’s an emergency response at a crash on West Marginal Way SW just north of Highland Park Way SW – no word, though, on how it’s affecting traffic. And on the northbound I-5 “collector-distributor” downtown, there’s a stall blocking a lane by Marion St.
ADVISORIES TODAY: If you use Water Taxi Pier 50 or state-ferry Colman Dock downtown, today is the day access changes – details in our previous report … near the Fauntleroy ferry dock, county crews are scheduled to repair concrete panels by the Barton Pump Station project this week … and the south end of Beach Drive will be busy today with the continued concrete pour at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project tank site.
7:17 AM: SFD has already cleared the W. Marginal Way scene. According to e-mail from Kimberley, it involved an overturned pickup, and “people were out of their cars helping” even before fire/police arrived. Also, a texter mentioned a crash on the bridge, but there’s no emergency dispatch so far. As the cameras show, though, it’s definitely a full-on eastbound backup.
7:29 AM: Crash just reported at Admiral Way/Avalon – no injuries reported but some blocking, according to the scanner.
7:56 AM: No indication of anything out of the ordinary on the bridge. Meantime, our crew just checked the W. Marginal Way scene – the right southbound lane before Highland Park Way is still blocked but a tow truck is there to take care of the wrecked pickup truck, so this should be clear before too long, no indication of anything mandating a major investigation. Traffic is getting by in both directions.
9:00 AM: One more transportation-news note – the next Seattle City Council briefing on the Highway 99 tunnel project and related issues is coming up around 10:45 am – you can watch live at seattlechannel.org. Preview the slide deck – which mentions more about “what if the Viaduct had to be shut down?” plans as well as settlement affecting downtown water mains – by going here.
9:49 AM: Just back from a quick check on several things: Sharonn had mentioned in comments that 37th is closed in The Triangle north of Alaska because of work involving a big crane. We went by (photo to come) and were told this involves removing something from the roof at the SK Food Group building (4600 37th SW). We also checked on the mentioned-above Murray CSO concrete pour and Barton Pump Station road-panel replacement – both of those projects are under way, with minimal traffic impact (except for Beach Drive south of Lincoln Park Way – unless you’re a resident and have to get through, avoid that today).
The concrete pour that started Friday will continue tomorrow at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project site – a million-gallon tank under construction across from Lowman Beach. That’s according to an update from project spokesperson Doug Marsano from King County Wastewater Treatment. Like Friday, that means up to 10 trucks an hour, starting at 7 am, and it might continue beyond 6 pm.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:01 AM: The fog is back, and this time, as the traffic cams show, you’ll be driving through it on the main outbound routes too. If you’re headed for northbound I-5, be aware there’s a crash just before Seneca, blocking the two left lanes – and, further north, that side of the freeway is closed just before Northgate because of a fatal incident.
7:24 AM: The NB I-5 crash at Seneca has cleared; one lane is now open at the Northgate scene, but backups headed that way will last for quite some time. (added) SPD says two lanes will be open there soon.
7:41 AM: Still one lane there and might be for a while after all. And now another downtown problem – a stalled vehicle reported on NB I-5 at James.
REMINDER FOR MONDAY: Access to the downtown Water Taxi and state ferry docks changes because of seawall/99 work – as detailed here.
8:07 AM: Northbound I-5 has fully reopened at the scene near Northgate.
9:04 AM: An alert via Erika’s comment: “Be careful on the 99 ramp – a big pile of nails and screws seemed to have been dumped just prior to merging onto 99N.”
In case you’re heading eastbound sometime soon – be aware there’s a two-vehicle crash on the West Seattle Bridge near the 4th Avenue exit, apparently causing some backups. Police and fire are on it now; injuries are reported. Thanks to the person who just called from a passenger seat to let us know (206-293-6302, text or voice, any time, if you’re not driving!).
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
So far no major problems reported. We’re about to separately report on a rescue response on Beach Drive SW.
7:45 AM: Our ongoing coverage of that situation is here; SFD cleared the scene quickly but you’ll still see police and now the Medical Examiner.
TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Last night, West Seattle Bike Connections reported on SDOT’s presentation to the Bicycle Advisory Board regarding options for the notorious 5-way intersection west of the low bridge … Avoid the south end of Beach Drive today – the next concrete pour for the Murray CSO storage tank will bring dozens of trucks throughout the day … Road-restoration work by the Barton Pump Station next to the Fauntleroy ferry dock is planned next week.
8:48 AM: Police and fire are checking out a reported two-vehicle crash at 30th/Thistle, which is just west of the Sealth/Denny school zone. (Update: A texter says it’s blocking traffic; in case you were wondering, classes have already started at both schools.)
9:26 AM: Just back from the crash scene. It’s been cleared. No serious injuries.
The twice-postponed concrete pour at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project will start tomorrow (Thursday), according to an announcement this evening from the King County Wastewater Treatment District. This one will bring up to 10 trucks per hour into the Lowman Beach area, starting at 7 am, according to KCWTD’s Doug Marsano. They might work into the evening, past the general 6 pm end time, if necessary. Marsano’s alert says, “The site will be very busy while the pour occurs, so please avoid the east of the 7000 block of Beach Drive SW to the extent possible.” If you have questions or concerns, with this or any other part of the million-gallon-storage-tank project, the hotline is 206-205-9186.
Heads up for another road-work project next week. Just announced:
Starting as early as Monday, January 12, crews will replace four concrete panels in the southbound curb lane of Fauntleroy Way SW in front of the Barton Pump Station construction site. This work will occur daily from 8 am to 3:30 pm until Friday, January 16. This work is weather-dependent and may be postponed in inclement weather.
All lanes on Fauntleroy Way SW will remain open. Flaggers and a police officer will shift traffic to the east around concrete work during the day. Crews will use steel sheets to cover concrete work at night.
Traffic headed for the Fauntleroy ferry dock next door will be assisted with flaggers and a police officer, the county says. (Though these are city streets, it’s a county project because they run the pump station that’s been undergoing upgrades/expansion.)
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Still foggy in spots, so take care out there. No problems otherwise on the routes through/from West Seattle, so far this morning.
TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Two stories of note, in case you haven’t seen them yet – 2 new crosswalks planned for Delridge; changes on the downtown waterfront starting next week, including access to the Water Taxi dock at Pier 50.
9:01 AM: From the scanner, traffic hazard in the right lane on the Alaskan Way Viaduct – a couch cushion.
9:24 AM: And another problem on northbound 99 – a crash blocking the right lane near the stadiums. Here’s a cam showing the backup (looking south toward the northbound traffic, but south of the crash):
No indication of injuries in this incident – Seattle Fire was not dispatched.
9:56 AM: Backup should be clearing by now – the vehicle(s) involved have been moved off to the shoulder.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
If you see this pre-dawn, notice something different? Top left – the bridge lights are back. Otherwise, just one note, looking ahead to tonight, while we keep watch on the morning:
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: The group is meeting tonight, and wondering what you would like WSBC to take on in this brand-new year. 6:30 pm, HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor), 41st/Alaska in The Junction.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:16 AM: If you’re just getting going after holiday travel and/or vacationing, welcome back! The transit services are back to normal today; schools are back in session; and the wet, wintry weather is likely to be with us all day.
P.S. to early drivers/riders: Yes, those bridge lights are still out, but Seattle City Light hopes to fix them this week.
7:46 AM: Per the 911 log, there’s a crash at 17th/Roxbury. Not a major callout so far, but if you are heading that way, be aware.
7:51 AM: Two more problems – the Battery Street Tunnel is closed northbound (thanks for the text!) and there’s a crash on West Marginal Way SW near the bridge that’s blocking part of the road.
8:04 AM: SDOT says one lane of the BSTunnel has reopened but backups remain.
8:40 AM: Tow truck reported on scene in the northbound tunnel as of a few minutes ago, so if it’s not fully open yet, it should be shortly. (Confirmed two minutes later: Open.)
10:45 AM: As pointed out in comments (thank you!), there’s a crash at the east end of Roxbury (3rd/Olsen). Also, new trouble on northbound 99 at Western/Battery St. Tunnel.
Crazy backup on Hwy 99 North through Downtown Seattle @westseattleblog @seattledot http://t.co/YeVpKZAdAd
— Clayton P. Graham (@SeaDirtLawyer) January 5, 2015
12:40 PM: All the earlier problems are “closed” on the 911 log now – keep us posted if you see anything new. Meantime, we’ve added (above this update) a view of 99, and beyond, during the most recent BSTunnel problem.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
We’re watching traffic just in case you’re working today – and we have a few reminders/notes:
METRO: One final day of “reduced weekday” service – back to regular weekday on Monday (January 5th).
WATER TAXI: Back in service after the New Year’s Day holiday. And the Spirit of Kingston is done with its annual maintenance, so you’ll see it today on the West Seattle run, while the Melissa Ann – seen in TW‘s photo below – will be back on the Vashon run:
(Did you catch the sneak peek at the new, almost-ready Water Taxi?)
FERRY DOCK TONIGHT: As previewed here last week, cleaning work tonight and most if not all nights for the next two weeks will affect the Fauntleroy ferry dock and vicinity.
1:41 PM: You wouldn’t expect to encounter a backup on the West Seattle Bridge on a holiday – but there’s one on the eastbound side now because of a crash that we’re told is between Nucor and the crest. Seattle Fire‘s response cleared quickly, suggesting no major injuries, but with the backup, wait a while to head that way if you have to. (A couple of key SDOT cameras aren’t working today, so we don’t have a view of the scene; thanks for the tips.)
2:02 PM: Update from SDOT via Twitter:
West Seattle Bridge in the EB direction is reduced to 1 lane due to an earlier collision. Expect delays. Tow truck on-scene.
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 1, 2015
Thanks also to Jean-Paul for this view:
@westseattleblog @SeattleFire bridge is down to one lane EB. pic.twitter.com/ruiBOwqHgD
— Jean-Paul Willynck (@jwillynck) January 1, 2015
2:20 PM: Thanks to Tim for the update in the comment section – scene’s clear, backup should clear soon.
2:41 PM: If you’re seeing the emergency response on Harbor Avenue at the bottom of California Way, by Seacrest, a vehicle is reported to have hit a pedestrian. Injuries weren’t serious, if any; the pedestrian was reported to be the person who made the 911 call and was reported to have been declining medical assistance.
Just in from SDOT:
Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation are scheduled to make minor repairs such as filling potholes and depressions on numerous blocks in Arbor Heights starting Monday, Jan. 5, weather permitting. SDOT anticipates the work will be completed in less than a month.
The repair work will focus on non-arterial blocks in the western and southwestern sections of Arbor Heights. These repairs will improve the pavement condition to a level where a microsurfacing preventive maintenance treatment would be effective.
Microsurfacing is a protective seal coat which extends the life of pavement. It is a thin, tough layer of asphalt emulsion blended with finely crushed stone for traction.
SDOT’s contractor microsurfaced approximately 27 lane-miles of streets in Arbor Heights last summer. SDOT is now in the process of finalizing the list of blocks that will be included in a smaller microsurfacing project in Arbor Heights this summer. Streets being repaired at this time may or may not be included in this summer’s microsurfacing project.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning and welcome to the last day of 2014. Again today, Metro is on its “reduced weekday” schedule.
ADMIRAL ALERT: Crews worked late into the night at the bottom of the Admiral Way hill, just north of the bridge, at the scene of a water-line break. From the comment thread on our afternoon/evening story, Val has the first report on this morning’s conditions:
Went through there southbound just before 3:00 am and all the work has been completed. Northbound lanes have a couple of rough, bumpy patches in them but otherwise everything looked open. There has been an attempt at sanding and salting or whatever it is we use around here but it was still icy. Today more than ever slow down if you are coming down the hill. Hit the turn to Avalon or the curved on ramp and under 20 and you should be fine. It’s not even supposed to get to 40 degrees today so the ice in this area might be there a couple of days.
We’re headed over shortly for a look.
8:20 AM: Here’s an Instagram video cliplet (:15) how it looks as you head downhill there, which we just did:
Also from north West Seattle, another road-ice report, via Twitter:
@westseattleblog major ice on California way Southwest heading down the hill from Hamilton viewpoint to Alki
— Patrick kelly (@MetPatrick22) December 31, 2014
3:45 PM: Update on the water problem mentioned earlier in our daily traffic watch:
SW Admiral Way westbound lane closed at SW Spokane Street; Seattle Public Utilities performing an emergency repair on water service line:
One westbound lane of SW Admiral Way, at SW Spokane Street (underneath the bridge), will be closed while Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) crews make an emergency repair to a water service line. SPU expects the lane to be reopened by 9 pm this evening.
9:13 PM UPDATE: As of less than an hour ago, the crew was still working and the road was still wet; in addition to the lane closure toward the bottom of the Admiral Way hill, access to Admiral via westbound Spokane St. under the bridge was closed off. We’ll be checking the scene in an hour or so (please let us know if you see it reopen sooner) and will also check it for the morning commute since it’ll be well below freezing tonight.
11:55 PM UPDATE: Crews were still working at the scene as of our return visit a short time ago. Looks like it has the potential to be treacherous for the morning commute but rather than speculate, we will check back before starting our daily traffic/transit coverage ~6 am and will include an update on what it’s like and whether you might do better to consider an alternate route.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Second-to-last day of 2014:
*Again today, Metro is on the “reduced weekday” schedule.
*This is the second day of SDOT‘s planned three-day one-lane closure on California Way, between Harbor and Ferry, for retaining-wall work.
*Bonus: Check out the first of the two new Water Taxis – we spotted the photos in a small, unannounced slideshow on the Water Taxi website early today:
Go there to see more images of the Sally Fox, which will be on the Vashon run when it’s ready to go in 2015; right behind it will be the Doc Maynard, on the West Seattle run. Talking with Greg Lerner of the King County Transportation Department‘s Marine Division earlier this month, we had asked for images of the under-construction Water Taxis, but hadn’t heard/seen anything until stumbling onto this.
11:43 AM: We are getting reports of water on the road along Admiral north of the bridge. Checking on the cause.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Last Monday of the year – notes/alerts:
*Metro is on its “reduced weekday” schedule.
*Washington State Ferries is now on its winter schedule.
*SDOT plans to close a lane on California Way, between Harbor and Ferry, for 3 days of retaining-wall work, starting today.
*School’s still out for one more week.
7:47 AM: Just in via text alert, the Vashon Water Taxi’s next round trip (7:40 am from Seattle, 8:15 from Vashon) is canceled because of high wind.
Heads up for the next three days: SDOT plans to close a lane each day on California Way SW between Harbor and Ferry Avenues (map), so it can clear vegetation from the retaining wall on the west side of the road. If you drive/ride California Way, you know it’s narrow enough as it is, one lane each way; SDOT says flaggers will be there to help you get through. (The announcement didn’t include specific work hours, so assume this could start as early as 7 am .)
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! First note this morning – if you’ve driven the bridge after dark/before dawn in the past few days, you’ve probably noticed the light outage (visible in the top-left camera here, if you see this early enough). We’ve heard from multiple sources, including SDOT, that City Light is aware of it – we’ll be checking today on the repair timetable.
TRANSIT TODAY: Metro remains on the “reduced weekday” schedule today.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Probably more holiday travelers than headed-to-work commuters on the road this morning, but just in case you have to head out, here’s our usual complement of cameras, plus reminders about the transit changes:
TODAY (Christmas Eve): Metro is on its “reduced weekday” schedule.
TOMORROW (Christmas Day): Metro will be on the Sunday schedule; the Water Taxi will *not* run; Sound Transit Route 560 will be on its Sunday schedule; Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run will be on a normal schedule.
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