(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

5:45 AM: Launching traffic watch earlier than usual because of a crash on the bridge. Thanks for the tips! SDOT says all westbound lanes are blocked on the Fauntleroy end and one eastbound lane. No injuries, apparently, because SFD was not dispatched. If you are headed WSB, Donna says, you’ll be detoured off at Admiral.

5:53 AM: This photo tweeted by @metpatrick22 shows a bus hitting the jersey barrier, and a car facing the wrong way toward screen right:

C Line and Route 21 are as a result of this routed off westbound Fauntleroy, Metro says.

6:02 AM: SDOT says one westbound lane has reopened. This camera view shows the bus being towed.

6:10 AM: All lanes have reopened, per SDOT. No other incidents working in or near West Seattle right now.

6:20 AM: We should mention again that the South Vashon ferry route (Tahlequah-Point Defiance) remains out of service, at least until Friday, so Fauntleroy terminal traffic will continue to be heavier.

9:04 AM: If you’ll be on southbound 99 on the north side of downtown today, be aware of this: “SDOT will close left lane of SB SR99 … today north of Battery St tunnel to Virginia St from 10 am-2 pm for rail work.”

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:02 AM: Good morning. While transit schedules are back to normal today, Metro has sent word – after the fact – of one West Seattle trip that didn’t happen:

Washington State Ferries’ south Vashon run (Tahlequah-Point Defiance) is still out of service, so Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth will likely be seeing heavier usage again today.

On the roads – no problems reported so far this morning.

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

Since Christmas Day was on a Sunday, today is an official holiday. Here are the transit changes:

METRO: Sunday schedule.

WATER TAXI: The West Seattle and Vashon runs both are NOT in service.

SOUND TRANSIT: Route 560 (and light rail) are on run Sunday schedules.

STREET PARKING: For the neighborhoods with city-operated pay stations, this is a free-parking day.

Also, while Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on a normal schedule, usage is likely to be heavier than usual because the South Vashon run (Tahlequah-Point Defiance) remains out of service.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:02 AM: We start this rainy morning with word of a crash that’s blocking the ramp from the West Seattle Bridge to southbound I-5.

Also, the Olson/Myers signal light is still (or again) reported to be malfunctioning.

And a Winter Weather Advisory has been announced for noon today to 3 am Saturday – possible snow.

LOOKING AHEAD: Transit/transportation schedules are normal TODAY, but since Christmas Day is on Sunday this year, you’ll see schedule changes on Monday (December 26th):

METRO: Sunday schedule on Monday.

WATER TAXI: The West Seattle and Vashon runs both will NOT be in service Monday.

SOUND TRANSIT: Route 560 (and light rail) will run Sunday schedules on Monday.

STREET PARKING: For the neighborhoods with city-operated pay stations, Monday will be a free-parking day.

7:27 AM: WSDOT says the crash on the ramp from the bridge to SB I-5 has cleared.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:42 AM: Good morning! Abbreviated traffic watch this morning – but it’s pretty quiet out there anyway. Traffic times around the region are faster than usual, says WSDOT. No incidents in the vicinity. No weather alerts, either.

7:55 AM: Reader report – blinking signal lights at Olson Place/Myers Way. (Remember, that means it’s an all-ways stop.)

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:02 AM: Good morning. It’s a rainy Monday, first day of winter break for schools. No major problems reported in West Seattle or on the outbound routes right now.

7:11 AM: Note that there is a weather alert through 11 am for potential coastal flooding – high tide is at 9:24 am, 12.5 feet, half a foot lower than the tide that came up over the Alki seawall back on Friday, but still high, especially with some wind in the mix.

7:42 AM: Two incidents to note – via Twitter, @klang reports a problem on the Alaskan Way Viaduct NB, just before the Battery Street Tunnel. Not on the real-time 911 log. But a West Seattle incident is – a medic response in Arbor Heights, 35th SW/SW 106th. We’re on our way to find out what’s happening there.

7:53 AM: John says via Twitter that a pedestrian was hit by a driver – the particular level of medic response in this call usually means pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist. No information on condition so far. Meantime, there also is a response right now downtown at 1st and Columbia (by the entrance to the southbound AWV) for an incident that also reportedly involves a pedestrian, and scanner traffic indicates 1st is blocked.

7:58 AM: Back to the Arbor Heights incident [photo above] – police confirm what John told us, that it was hit-run and they are looking for the driver. The victim was taken to the hospital by private ambulance, indicating non-life-threatening injuries, and SFD cleared the scene shortly after we arrived.

Meantime, yet another incident – Kevin just tweeted about a crash “just past the crest” of the high bridge, with one car facing the wrong way.

8:08 AM: That was in the right lane of the eastbound bridge when Kevin’s C Line bus passed it. Meantime, SDOT says the 1st/Columbia scene downtown is now clear.

8:12 AM: There’s no camera view of the bridge crash but a texter says that it’s causing issues with people trying to exit to 99, and that police are on the scene.

8:25 AM: New trouble report – via text, stoplight at 4th and Roxbury is reported to be malfunctioning. Remember, a broken/out signal means it’s an all-ways stop.

8:30 AM: Added above – the SDOT camera was at least fleetingly on the right-lane bridge wreck and we recorded a bit of video. Tow truck now on scene.

8:47 AM: Scene clear, says SDOT. Thanks again to everyone who messaged about this – SDOT’s first mention lagged while, so tips were vital.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:02 AM: Good morning! Winter break starts this afternoon for local students; it’s one-hour-early dismissal for Seattle Public Schools. No incidents in or from this area so far this morning.

7:32 AM: It’s below freezing but no snow concerns – the newest “forecast discussion” says there’s a possibilities of flurries or “light snow showers” tomorrow but otherwise precipitation and low temps aren’t expected to collide.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:30 AM: The main weather word is “cold,” says the National Weather Service. Two more notes:

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: If you travel through the stadium zone – be aware that it’s game night, Seahawks hosting the Rams, 5:25 pm. Here’s the SDOT alert.

SECOND-TO-LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Tomorrow is the last day before winter break for Seattle Public Schools (and most independent schools). SPS will be out an hour early on Friday.

7:36 AM: Commenter mentions backup on the low bridge.

8 AM: Automobile rescue call at 16th/Florida on Harbor Is.

8:20 AM: The location has been corrected to 13th/Florida (map).

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:48 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. Also, no snow, though you might encounter some showers if you are heading north out of the city.

Today’s big traffic alert will be for the Sounders march and rally celebrating the MLS Cup victory. Here’s the SDOT alert. While it all starts at 11 am, heading from Westlake Park to Seattle Center, some road closures will start earlier, so be aware of that if you commute on the late side. The Sounders’ media advisory says: “All intersections along the main march route, which follows Fourth Avenue north from the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Pine Street before turning right on Cedar Street to continue north on Fifth Avenue to Thomas Street, will be closed to traffic beginning at 9:00 am PT.”

7:36 AM: Crash reported at Delridge and Oregon.

7:48 AM: That call was revised to Oregon and 23rd and then closed on the real-time 911 log, meaning SFD is no longer on the scene.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:48 AM: Good morning! No new snow but the National Weather Service says there’s a chance of a little bit late today or tonight – not even enough chance for an official alert, though.

No traffic incidents in or from West Seattle so far.

One more note – it’s the last week before winter break; Seattle Public Schools will get out one hour early this Friday, and then it’s break time until classes resume Tuesday, January 3rd.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:02 AM: Good morning! Cold but no snow this morning – that’s expected later today.

One outbound-commute problem: A crash backing up northbound I-5:

LOW-BRIDGE ALERT: For drivers and riders, this is something of a reverse alert – the low bridge will NOT be opening for marine traffic between approximately 8 am and noon today, because of maintenance that SDOT announced a few weeks ago. They say it will NOT affect vehicle traffic.

7:22 AM: Two lanes have reopened at the scene of the I-5 crash, but WSDOT says one is still blocked and backups are big.

7:56 AM: The scene is clear but the backups aren’t.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:52 AM: New trouble on the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge – half an hour after an early-morning crash cleared, a new one is partly blocking the right lane, according to WSDOT.

HOLIDAY EVENT REMINDERS: Tonight SW Myrtle will be closed for the block east of 35th SW during the Our Lady of Guadalupe “Light Up the Night” celebration, approximately 6-8 pm … Saturday night, the West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting and Night Market will close SW Alaska between California and 42nd SW approximately 3-9 pm (the market is 4-8 pm, tree lighting starts 4:30 pm). That means a reroute for RapidRide C Line – here’s the info from Metro.

7:09 AM: WSDOT says the 1st Avenue S. Bridge is clear again.

7:48 AM: After Kathleen pointed out on Twitter that the bus she had been waiting for never showed, Metro sent an after-the-fact alert & tweet:

8:45 AM: No new trouble for today but a reminder that snow MIGHT be a factor for Monday’s commute, per the National Weather Service …we’ll be tracking it all weekend and if it does happen, coverage will start extra early.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:11 AM: No incidents reported in the area so far this morning.

WEEKEND REMINDER: The West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting and Night Market on Saturday night will close SW Alaska between California and 42nd SW approximately 3-9 pm (the market is 4-8 pm, tree lighting starts 4:30 pm). That means a reroute for RapidRide C Line – here’s the info from Metro.

8:59 AM: Water is bubbling up on Delridge at Myrtle, reports Julia, who says SDOT told her they had already had calls about it – she wanted to share the news so you’re aware a crew might be working in the area soon. (We’ll be checking with Seattle Public Utilities.)

(Photo sent by Al)

5:41 PM: We’re on our way to Highland Park Way/2nd SW [map] to check on a crash that has drawn a big Seattle Fire “automobile rescue” dispatch. That’s east of West Marginal Way and most likely to affect traffic headed toward the 1st Avenue South Bridge-bound onramp near the transfer station. More when we get there.

5:51 PM: Eastbound traffic on Highland Park Way, and southbound on West Marginal Way, both at near-standstills as we attempt to get to the crash scene.

(Added: Photo tweeted by SFD)

Via scanner, we heard a few minutes ago that SFD had extricated two people, but we still have no other details on the circumstances. Police are heading back up the Highland Park Way hill so you might be facing traffic closures.

6:01 PM: We’ve gotten closer and can now see that HP Way is closed both ways just west of the 509/1st Avenue S. Bridge approach overpass. Al has sent a photo that we’re adding atop the story, while our photographer sees how close he can get on foot to try to get more information. Again, avoid Highland Park Way east of the hill TFN.

(WSB photo)

6:12 PM: Our photographer just spoke with SFD/SPD at the scene. It’s a three-vehicle collision. The two people who had to be cut out of the car on the left in our top photo were taken to the hospital but neither had life-threatening injuries. The driver of the other car involved was checked out but did not need to be hospitalized. And the truck driver is OK. Police hope to clear the vehicles from the scene before too long.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:26 AM: Good morning. A crash on NB 99 just past the bridge has cleared into the transit lane, and that’s the only problem in the area right now.

BUS NOTE: As reported last night, the main bus stop at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) is back to normal as of today.

SATURDAY REMINDER: The West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting and Night Market on Saturday night will close SW Alaska between California and 42nd SW approximately 3-9 pm (the market is 4-8 pm, tree lighting starts 4:30 pm).

7:43 AM: Problem on the EB bridge, tweeted by SDOT:

7:48 AM: SDOT says the bridge and 99 problems have both completely cleared.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:10 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported in/outbound from West Seattle so far this morning.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:30 AM: Good morning. Back to work, school, and regular transit schedules as we start the post-Thanksgiving week.

SPOKANE ST. PROJECT: The work on and around surface Spokane St. east of the low bridge continues this week – here’s the official flyer with the newest details.

LOOKING AHEAD: There’s talk the weather might get wintrier next week. MIGHT – but still, you might consider taking a look at SDOT‘s winter-weather info THIS week, just so you’re up to speed.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:02 AM: Good morning – here’s what you need to know if you’re headed out this morning:

TRANSIT CHANGES:
*strong>Metro buses are on the “reduced weekday” schedule
*King County Water Taxi is out of service
*Sound Transit Route 560 is on the regular weekday schedule; Link light rail is on the Saturday schedule

DOWNTOWN ROAD CLOSURES THIS AM AND PM:
The 9 am Macy’s Holiday Parade and 5 pm lighting of the store’s big star both will bring big crowds and road closures – more info in this SDOT holiday-weekend event roundup.