West Seattle, Washington
29 Monday
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:56 AM: Good morning! No incidents so far this clear, cold Tuesday.
FERRY REMINDER: The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is still on a two-boat schedule.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning! No incidents to report.
FERRY REMINDER: The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a two-boat schedule as announced yesterday.
8:27 AM: Still no incidents on this sunny, cold morning. One of our standard requests/reminders – if you see something we’re not reporting and can contact us safely/legally (not behind the wheel!), our 24/7 hotline is 206-293-6302 – thank you!
8:41 AM: Police were just dispatched to this:
Collision on Fauntleroy Way SW at SW Oregon St blocking two SB lanes. Use caution. pic.twitter.com/71PCt48LbX
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) March 4, 2019
No SFD dispatch, though, so apparently no major injuries.
9:50 AM: Belated note to say that cleared. Meantime, there’s another comment discussion today about the Alaskan Way/Dearborn 99 exit and buses … checking into how that’s being monitored.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning! Welcome to a new month and happy Friday. We’ve checked around and so far, no incidents or alerts.
7:15 AM: Metro sent an after-the-fact alert announcing that the 7:05 am Route 55 did not run.
Thanks to the commenter who mentioned seeing a sign on the new NB 99 exit ramp to Dearborn/Alaskan Way, about a closure tonight. We found it on SDOT‘s weekly road-work list – the ramp is scheduled to be closed 9 pm tonight to 5 am tomorrow.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning! No incidents or alerts to report so far.
7:28 AM: Metro says the 7:34 am Route 113 won’t run.
9:34 AM: Taking surface Spokane St. to West Seattle? SFD is responding to a two-vehicle crash reported to be blocking Spokane/Colorado, with one vehicle reported to be a delivery truck.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:52 AM: Good morning! No alerts or incidents in our area so far.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:55 AM: Good morning! No alerts or incidents in our area so far.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:56 AM: Good morning! Seattle Public Schools students are back in class today after midwinter break. No incidents/alerts so far in our area.
7:11 AM: A couple of reminders – the 4th Avenue exit lane/ramp on the eastbound bridge is officially back to “all traffic” status, after work on Saturday; Ride2 is, as of today, open for advance booking.
7:46 AM: Still no trouble reports.
If you need to get between 35th SW and Delridge Way sometime soon, avoid Sylvan Way – per radio communication, it’s blocked by a crash. Two vehicles, no major injuries reported. The crash scene is reported to be at/near Sylvan and Holly (map).
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:16 AM: Good morning! No incidents or alerts reported so far this Friday.
8:02 AM: Flurries!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:27 AM: Good morning! No alerts or incidents reported in our area so far.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:07 AM: Good morning! Second morning for the new south-of-the-tunnel NB 99 exit ramp. No incidents or alerts so far.
STADIUM ZONE TONIGHT: Sounders FC plays Club Nacional de Football in a preseason match at CenturyLink Field at 7:30 pm.
8:33 AM: Two transit notes as an uneventful morning continues:
–Scattered reports in comments again of Metro buses not taking the new routing. Metro reiterates that they’re supposed to, and expresses hope these are “one-offs” getting used to the changes.
—Ride2 app users will be able to book rides in advance starting Monday (February 25). That’s the lone WS change as a result of Eastgate and WS service “syncing” as Hopelink takes over the former starting Monday.
5:59 AM: Good morning! As announced late Monday, the new exit ramp from NB 99 to the south end of downtown – taking you to Alaskan Way or Dearborn to 1st Ave. – opened overnight. It’s on the right side of the “live” WSDOT camera above. Its opening means Metro buses are moving to their “interim” routes too. Meantime, here are other cameras we usually feature:
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
One incident to report so far: A crash blocking one lane of NB 5 on the south side of downtown, parallel with 4th/Dearborn.
6:09 AM: That’s clear. Back to the new ramp; one Route 56 rider says her bus did NOT shift over this morning.
6:50 AM: That may have been a “one-off,” as Metro suggests, as it’s even sent an advisory that the former Alaskan Way Viaduct routes will switch over. Meantime, the availability of the new NB 99 ramp has not yet led to the old pre-Viaduct-closure backup on the EB West Seattle Bridge exit, but traffic flow isn’t quite at the “new normal” level yet since this is a break week for Seattle Public Schools.
6:55 AM: Via scanner, we’re hearing that traffic police are assigned to the newly busy 1st/Dearborn intersection.
7:30 AM: The bridge ramp to NB 99 is still flowing well, on this first morning of increased 99 usability; the new exit ramp downtown remains wide open too.
8:59 AM: We noted on Twitter that bridge backups were visible around 8 am. By 8:30, that seemed to have eased. Also of note, this Metro update with more details on the bus changes facilitated by the opening of the new NB 99 exit ramp to Alaskan Way/Dearborn/1st. One commenter asked about the earlier mention that this still isn’t permanent – if you’ve missed previous reports on that, this “pathways” map explains the long-term plan.
9:31 AM: One more transportation note – the new carshares we mentioned after a West Seattle sighting back in December, LimePods, are available to all in Seattle as of today, per email we just received from the company’s PR firm.
6:26 AM: Good morning. No incidents to report. Transit notes on this holiday:
METRO: Reduced-weekday service
WATER TAXI: Full two-boat service
8:42 AM: Still no incidents or alerts.
6:03 AM: Good morning. Things are getting back to normal but not quite there yet. This morning’s info list and updates:
METRO: Some buses still rerouted
METRO ROUTE 37: 6:18 and 7:11 am trips not running
METRO ROUTE 55: 6:48 and 7:30 am trips not running
METRO ROUTE 56: 7:33 am trip not running
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT WINTER RESPONSE MAP: See which streets city crews have treated
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
SCHOOLS: Back to normal or out on break
TRASH/RECYCLING: Here’s the newest city plan
6:26 AM: Metro is continuing to announce cancellations, though fewer than yesterday. As local ones are texted/tweeted, we’re adding to the list above. … Weather-wise, it’s well above freezing, and today’s forecast is for clouds with a chance of RAIN showers.
7:55 AM: Still fairly quiet; no incidents reported in or near our area. … If you use Metro, its general manager is asking for your feedback on how things went during the snowy almost-two-weeks from which we’re emerging.
(SCHOOLS: Here’s the Thursday list … TRASH/RECYCLING/ETC.: Pickup today for Wed. customers)
6:13 AM: Good morning. The good news is that the temperature’s now above freezing. But still … beware out there. Also note there’s at least one change on our schools list – South Seattle College is now opening all its campuses at 10 am.
METRO: Some buses still rerouted; more details here
METRO ROUTE 37 – No service today
METRO ROUTE 50: Rerouted off Delridge Way SW, SW Genesee, & Avalon Way
METRO ROUTE 55 – No 6:31 am, 6:48 am, 7:30 am, 8:34 am trips
METRO ROUTE 56 – No 6:43 am, 7:33 am, 8:41 am trips
METRO ROUTE 57 – No 7:20 am trip
METRO ROUTE 113 – No 7:34 am trip
METRO ROUTE 116 – No 6:33 am, 7:13 am, 8:00 am trips
WATER TAXI: West Seattle route on 2-boat schedule
RIDE2: (update) Resumes normal WS service today
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT WINTER RESPONSE MAP: See which streets city crews have treated
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
6:42 AM: No incidents but you’ll need to take extra care to help keep it that way. In a comment, for example, Sarah reports, “It’s REALLY slippery still on a couple of segments of the SW Dakota St. hill from 42nd down to 35th. Even in the lowest gear for engine braking.”
7:28 AM: Via Twitter, Andy reports on bicycling conditions: “It is super icy out there. Bike paths aren’t fully cleared and side roads are spotty at best. That was the diciest ride I’ve ever had. Had to walk in a few spots.” … The high bridge looks almost back to the normal jam of this time of day. Note that the snow has set back the new NB Highway 99 exit ramp, as we reported Wednesday afternoon.
7:53 AM: While we have the full list of announced local Metro cancellations/changes above, in comments and tweets, some riders are noting unannounced changes, including some 50 and 125 runs.
8:33 AM: Still incident-free – side-street slush/ice reports and spot bus woes are the morning’s main problems so far. Remember that most schools are starting late this morning, so you wlll see students, staff, and families on the move later than usual.
10:37 AM: From Seattle Parks, “Community Centers and pools are open normal hours today, and will resume lessons and scheduled programs.”
10:54 AM: From the scanner, report of “wires down” at 21st SW/SW Dakota.
(SCHOOLS: Here’s the Wednesday closures/changes list … TRASH/RECYCLING: Pickup today for Mon./Tues. customers … LIBRARIES: Expecting to resume normal hours today)
6:03 AM: Good morning! No incidents so far. Here are the toplines/infolinks:
METRO SERVICE: Back to almost-normal route list but with changes plus these alerts:
METRO ROUTE 37: No 5:48 am and 7:11 am trips
METRO ROUTE 55: No 6:31 AM, 6:48 AM, 7:30 AM and 8:34 AM trips
METRO ROUTE 56: No 6:43 am, 7:33 am, 8:41 am trips
METRO ROUTE 57: No 7:20 am trip
METRO ROUTE 113: No 7:34 am trip
METRO ROUTE 116: No 6:33 am, 7:13 am, 8:00 am trips and no 4:26 pm trip from downtown
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: Back to 2-boat schedule
RIDE2: Not operating today
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
6:27 AM: Temperature’s above freezing, so slush continues to be this morning’s big challenge … Road closure: Lorilyn says city crews have 45th/100th blocked off in Arbor Heights for work.
6:57 AM: It’s not exactly backed up yet, but for the first time in some days, the cameras show the high bridge is busy. And yes, the snow has set back the opening of the NB Highway 99 ramp into downtown – we hope to get an update today at a WSDOT media briefing that’ll focus on the start of Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition.
7:13 AM: If you’re riding Metro, be sure to check the reroute list as well as alerts.
7:25 AM: Commenter Jenjm82 reports, “Train blocking Spokane at 2nd ave, BNSF. Not even moving at this point.” (Added: Camera confirms, still stopped.)
7:55 AM: Spokane Street’s moving again; Jenjm82 says the train got moving again after 25 minutes.
8:56 AM: As Metro gets back to more of its regular routes, still some challenges out there. Chris emailed about the 120: “Most of the 120s are passing my stop because they are completely full. Some folks have been there for over an hour. … I gave up and am working from Uptown. I have seen 6 (!) go by without stopping. One stopped to let a couple of people off, but they did not let anyone on.” He says if you need to catch it you might try being creative – take the SB 120, “then get off at an upstream bus stop, then get on the northbound 120.”
(SCHOOLS: Closure list … TRASH/RECYCLING: No pickup again today, but likely tomorrow … WS BUSINESS/ETC. UPDATES here, as received … PARKS FACILITIES: Today’s plan … LIBRARIES: Today’s SPL plan)
5:31 AM: Good morning. Morning watch begins as the melt continues.
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT has treated/plowed
METRO SERVICE: Emergency Snow Network only – here are the West/South Seattle specifics – update: ESN to end by Wednesday
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: One-boat service – schedule and other details here – some shuttle trouble
RIDE2: Not operating today
STATE FERRIES: Some early-early-am Triangle cancellations
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
5:36 AM: Scanner – truck in trouble at Delridge/Sylvan.
6:13 AM: Alert just sent, the Water Taxi shuttle Route 775 “is unable to provide service on California Way SW and also Admiral Way SW between 61st SW and California Way SW.” (Admiral doesn’t cross California *Way* so we’re seeking clarification. …update, that’s California AVE) … Also, no Ride2.
6:30 AM: Just in from Seattle Public Utilities:
No Pickup Tuesday, Feb. 12
Due to unsafe conditions and significant snow and ice remaining in residential streets, there will be no residential solid waste collections today, Tuesday Feb. 12. SPU contractors will attempt to collect Monday customers tomorrow, Wednesday Feb. 13, on a 2-day delay and continue service on a delayed schedule through the weekend (weather permitting).
6:52 AM: While it’s not snowing here, some other parts of the city/metro area ARE still getting more, so don’t let the weather here fool you if you are considering heading somewhere semi-distant. No alerts in effect for our area!
7:02 AM: With Metro continuing on its Emergency Snow Network level of service, here again is where to find the C Line in The Junction:
See a larger PDF version here. (And note that while it shows 50 and 55, those routes are NOT running.) But also be aware there’s still bus trouble out there – texter just mentioned one stuck on 35th south of Avalon.
7:17 AM: That stuck bus is part of a crash scene, SDOT says – blocking southbound lanes and part of SW Alaska.
(SDOT image)
We also have a reader report: “21X is stuck at 35th and Thistle. Pulled too close to the curb and got stuck on the slush.”
7:34 AM: Might take an hour to clear the 35th/Alaska scene, per scanner. Police are working to direct traffic.
8:01 AM: And … SDOT says that scene is clear. … From the inbox, John sent this note (SPD has tweeted the same thing): “I read your blog from the other Washington area, and looking at your photos, a reminder for your folks there not used to snow…. Please remember to clear the snow from all over the car, not just the windshield/sides.”
8:25 AM: Collision reported in 5600 block West Marginal Way SW.
(SDOT “live” camera of west end of bridge, near Walking on Logs)
8:58 AM: Light rain continues (at least through midday, says the NWS) and the temp’s just above freezing. But all this snow – more than a foot, unofficially, per some measurements we’ve been sent! – doesn’t melt fast, so roads remain dicey. If you’re canceling/postponing an event today/tonight/beyond as a result, please let us know so we can add it to the newest list – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
9:16 AM: Thanks to Jennifer for the photo above – snow took that down at the Hiawatha baseball field. Here’s the Seattle Parks citywide plan for today.
9:49 AM: For those who’ve asked, our apologies, the WSB event calendar is currently out of service as a side effect of yesterday’s technical trouble. Hoping to have it back in action later today. In the short term, all bets were off in terms of scheduled events anyway – we are continuing to update the list linked above if and when we get word of cancellations/postponements. (We frequently feature Seattle Public Library events; here’s their systemwide plan for today.)
10:25 AM: We’re venturing out on a limited run, will report back on what we see. Or will call for help from a snowdrift if necessary. Among other things, hoping to make it to Junction or High Point ballot box – 8 pm tonight is the deadline and it cannot be postponed, says KC Elections.
11:57 AM: Made it to The Junction and back. Couple scenes we tweeted:
Calif Ave downhill through Gatewood pic.twitter.com/TytooMFTBX
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 12, 2019
Crosswalk shoveler at 44th/Oregon pic.twitter.com/UZh5S95MdD
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 12, 2019
1:01 PM: Started a new gallery with the snow fun/beauty that people have been sharing along with the informational pics. Weather-wise – steady rain now.
2:53 PM: And now – sunshine! Meantime, Waste Management is saying it’s expecting to pick up Monday AND Tuesday residential customers in Seattle tomorrow. Plus, Metro is saying it expects to END Emergency Snow Network after today and restore most routes by tomorrow – details here.
(SCHOOLS: Closure list … TRASH/RECYCLING: No pickups today … PARKS: Today’s updates here … LIBRARIES: Today’s plan here … WS BUSINESS/ETC. UPDATES as received)
6:00 AM: Good morning. Morning watch begins – updates ahead.
SDOT WINTER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT has treated/plowed
METRO SERVICE: Emergency Snow Network only – here are the West/South Seattle specifics.
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI: One-boat service – schedule and other details here
TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Our compilation of local cameras
SDOT CITYWIDE CAMS ETC. PAGE: Year-round “travelers” map with cams/more.
6:21 AM: No incidents in our area. Arterials have been cleared since Sunday’s new snowfall, but as has been the case in recent days, the main challenge will be getting to one. The temperature’s back below freezing. No significant new snowfall expected until later – the new Winter Weather Advisory alert takes effect at 11 am. (The early-morning “forecast discussion” continues to warn that forecasters are uncertain about when and where the next wave turns to rain.)
7:16 AM: Doc Maynard is the one boat on the West Seattle Water Taxi run today … Speaking of vessels, the “low bridge” restrictions are officially over. And it’s just opened for a vessel to pass.
7:31 AM: The low bridge has reopened to non-marine traffic.
7:41 AM: Important reminder from Metro – apps/trackers do NOT filter for the Emergency Snow Network (which is the reduced-service level in effect since early Saturday) though they “can still accurately show estimated arrival times for those routes actually in service.”
8 AM: Next wave moving this way a bit faster than expected, NWS now says, so we may only have a couple more hours’ break. Got business open/closed – or institution/organization – news? Text or voice 206-293-6302 is the best way to get it to us; building a new list right now.
8:32 AM: Thanks to the commenters who are sharing road-condition updates. Meantime, we’ve started that new businesses-etc. list here. … Still awaiting city status reports for libraries and Parks facilities.
8:41 AM: Alert from King County, “West Seattle Water Taxi shuttle Route 775 is currently unable to provide service on California Way SW and also Admiral Way SW between 61st Ave SW and California Way SW.”
8:48 AM: Seattle Parks update for the day is in – see it here.
9:28 AM: Also from the city, an SDOT overview:
SDOT crews continue to plow, working back to back 12-hour shifts. SDOT currently has 35 snow and ice fighting trucks roving Seattle’s major streets and roadways. Plow crews continue to prioritize keeping Gold and Emerald routes clear. A flusher truck is covering city-wide elevated structure and frost prone areas. Smaller, more mobile trucks are addressing trouble spots, and streets near schools. In addition, two SDOT tree crews are on duty and available within the City for calls related to downed or hazardous trees through the night shift. No outstanding tree calls currently. Street closure inspection and reporting teams are also on a 12-hour shift and continue checking the status of street closure signs.
The mayor, governor, and city department heads plan an 11 am briefing. … Also just in: Seattle Public Library status (in our area, all but West Seattle/Admiral will be open today) … We’ll continue to update this roundup until (serious) snow returns or afternoon arrives, whichever comes first, but we’re also working to catch up on other news notes, so watch for some non-snow stories shortly.
9:47 AM: A few flakes are falling already!
9:54 AM: Jackknifed semitruck on Edmunds just east of California – thanks to Doug B for the tip and photo:
On the scanner, we hear police just arriving at that scene. They say the truck driver is chaining up in hopes of getting out.
10:08 AM: And the truck is reported to have moved on. Still lightly snowing.
11:02 AM: Couple updates – Southwest Pool is actually opening noon-3, different from what the Parks link above shows, we’re told … Speaking of the city, the mayor/governor/etc. briefing just started and Seattle Channel is streaming it here … Speaking of city employees, check this out:
Texted with this caption: “Neighbors helping neighbors! Thanks to the mighty help of Fire Station 32 for helping Lien Animal Clinic shovel out their overflow parking lot.”
11:39 AM: We’ve been monitoring the briefing and tweeting some toplines; will publish the video and toplines separately once it’s over – there’s usually a near-instant turnaround of the Seattle Channel stream via YouTube.
12:35 PM: Extending this roundup into the early PM while we try to get a couple other items up before starting the official afternoon roundup. Snow’s falling more seriously now, by the way.
2:07 PM: There’s been a discussion in comments regarding USPS. Yes, they’re working – we just saw ours go by. Serious snow continues but the NWS is adamant it’ll turn to rain later – the roads, meantime, are getting snowed over again. Here’s a framegrab from the SDOT camera in The Triangle:
We’ve added more updates to the business list – including several restaurants.
3:19 PM: Afternoon/evening updates are here.
If you’re headed out before the next expected wave of snow – be very careful. Some trouble spots haven’t been fixed and may not be. Above is one example – Monica sent that photo from 38th/Hanford, first reported yesterday and not yet fixed. Meantime, no photo but Sayoko wanted to warn people about 48th at Graham:
I wanted to let drivers know that the corner of 48th and Graham is very icy and dangerous. Since 48th is an arterial, people are driving way too fast, and coming down from Graham is super icy . We saw many cars just sliding into 48th and almost have accidents.
We just heard that mentioned by SPD dispatch. Certainly there are other trouble spots. But particularly if you haven’t been out, proceed slowly and carefully.
(SCHOOLS: Friday changes are here)
(SDOT MAP with travel times / WS-relevant traffic cams / Water Taxi schedule HERE)
5:01 AM: Good morning. Updates:
FORECAST: Snow still expected to start around noon. Possibly 6″-8″ here. (added) Flurries/showers are starting earlier.
BUSES: As announced last night (updated 9:04 am):
Route 37 – Canceled today
Route 125 – Canceled today
Route 55 – 6:31 am, 6:48 am, 7:30 am, 8:34 am canceled
Route 56 – 6:43 am, 7:33 am, 8:41 am canceled
Route 57 – 7:20 am canceled
Route 116 – 6:33 am, 7:13 am, 8:00 am canceled
Snow routes – Starting 2 pm
We’ll update that list if anything more is added.
5:56 AM: First incident of the morning. Shortly after a text reporting “green flashes,” SFD has dispatched to a report of wires down in SB lanes of East Marginal/Spokane, possibly hit/snagged by passing semitruck.
6:04 AM: This is blocking East Marginal at Nevada, south of Spokane. [map]
6:22 AM: Northbound traffic is being stopped at E. Marginal/Hudson, per radio communication.
6:55 AM: First reports of flurries (thank you!). (Photo added – from Ben in Highland Park, new snow atop car:)
But the NWS says this is NOT the main event – that’s still not expected to start until noon.
7:19 AM: Some school changes still coming in – we’re continuing to update the Friday list here.
7:42 AM: East Marginal closure continues, just in case you’re wondering. Could continue another hour-plus.
8:10 AM: Lines at Junction True Value, as reported by a shopper. And empty shelves at more than one supermarket. Continued reports of flurries but barely visible through our window, so getting around is still OK.
8:38 AM: East Marginal remains closed (SDOT image above); also, Metro has rerouted Routes 113, 121, 122, 123, and 154 off East Marginal. That’s still the only area incident of note this morning. The snow flurries are still very light, and forecasters continue saying the start of the main snow event remains a few hours away.
8:56 AM: Metro just sent a retroactive alert that three Route 116 trips did not run this morning. Adding to the list above. … Our plan is to continue updating this report until the expected snow starts in earnest, plus we’ll be publishing some other (non-storm) stories we’re working on; when the “real” snow arrives, we’ll start a new storm report. Thanks yet again to everyone who’s helping keep West Seattle neighbors informed by sharing info/pics – 206-293-6302 text or voice is great and so is westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:36 AM: Still adding to the school-changes list. … Alice Enevoldsen (trivia point: 10 years ago, before there was an SDOT winter-weather-response map, there was Alice!) reports that TrueValue is now out of de-icer and shovels, and that she saw a bus go by with “Snowmageddon” written in the dirt on its window … Yes, the East Marginal closure continues.
11:20 AM: We just went out for a bit, quick look around before the storm. City/county/state authorities are having a briefing right now – watch it live here. New SDOT director Sam Zimbabwe just warned that they “plow to the right” so if you are parked along a “green or gold route” – your vehicle might get a little swamped.
11:47 AM: We’ve been watching that briefing and will add the embedded video when it’s over and available. (Added: Here it is)
Meantime, one thing of note – SPU general manager Mami Hara said they’re still on the one-day-delayed solid-waste pickup plan BUT if things worsen as forecast, all bets are off. … Metro said it hasn’t finalized the “emergency snow network” plan yet but they ARE still going ahead with chaining coaches: “We have outstanding mechanics who can put chains on pretty damn quick!”
12:17 PM: The snow has begun – we’ve started the afternoon update here.
(SDOT MAP with travel times / WS-relevant traffic cams / Water Taxi schedule HERE)
6:27 AM: Good morning. This is the one semi-normal day before the next threat of snow tomorrow; the weather alert was upgraded overnight to a Winter Storm Watch in effect starting Friday afternoon.
METRO ALERTS: Route 37 did not run at 6:16 am
Route 55 is not running at 6:31 AM, 6:48 AM & 7:30 AM .. also 8:34 am
Route 116 is not running at 6:33 AM, 7:13 AM & 8:00 AM …
Route 56 is not running at 6:43 AM & 7:33 AM … also 8:41 am
Route 57 won’t run at 7:20 am …
Route 113 is not running at 7:34 am …
6:33 AM: Seattle Fire “full response” headed to Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor) across from the south side of Westwood Village. It’s a reported electrical fire. First crews on scene aren’t finding anything.
6:40 AM: The response is being downsized, “no sign of smoke or fire.”
6:55 AM: All SFD units dismissed. Back to the rest of weather/traffic watch.
7:07 AM: Updating the list of announced Metro cancellations above. In all, more than 30 routes around the greater Metro service area have had cancellation announcements so far this morning.
7:25 AM: One SFD unit is being dispatched to Roxbury/Olson for a reported crash. (added) It was called in as driver hitting a tree.
7:33 AM: Location has been updated (by first-arriving SFD crew) to 3rd/Olson [map].
8:10 AM: Two more north West Seattle bus runs have added cancellations – 8:34 am Route 55, 8:41 am Route 56. Adding to the list above. In comments, Metro’s Jeff Switzer says a factor in cancellations here and elsewhere is buses in the shop for repairs.
8:28 AM: Tunnel’s backed up on its second non-snow day- here’s a screengrab from a few minutes ago, looking at the south entrance to the NB deck:
Still awaiting that south-side exit ramp to handle some of the traffic – here’s our report from Wednesday. P.S. We’ll be adding tunnel cameras today to our traffic-cams page. (Here’s the “live” link to the one screengrabbed above.)
(WEDNESDAY SCHOOL INFO: Some delays, ALL LISTED HERE)
5:31 AM: Good morning. A little warmer – 21 degrees. Today’s still forecast as dry, with the next snow still projected for Friday/Saturday.
METRO STATUS:
The reroute page shows West Seattle buses back on normal routes
Early alerts were sent for:
Route 37 cancellations (all morning trips)
Route 55 cancellations (6:31 am, 6:48 am & 7:30 am)
Route 113 cancellation (7:34 am)
Route 116 cancellations (6:33 am, 7:13 am & 8:00 am)
CITY WINTER-WEATHER-RESPONSE MAP: See where SDOT’s been in recent hours.
6:07 AM: Closed for hazardous conditions, according to the city traffic map (let us know if you find otherwise – these are all time-stamped early this morning) – Genesee at Avalon, Ferry SW and California Way in North Admiral, Lander at Admiral, Charlestown at 55th and at 46th … Overall, as Alex warns in a note, beware of icy side streets too.
6:49 AM: Not far away, a crash has closed all NB lanes of Airport Way at Corson.
6:52 AM: SPU has confirmed, SOLID WASTE PICKUP RESUMES today, one-day delay except for Monday customers, who can put out double next Monday.
7:25 AM: Airport Way is clear. … Looking at the bridge, traffic still appears lighter than usual.
7:52 AM: Low bridge just reopened to drivers/riders/pedestrians after first marine-traffic closure of the morning.
8:50 AM: Checking the video cameras, the eastbound high bridge and northbound 99 both are stop-and-go. Looks like the backup extends into the tunnel (see the south view of the NB tunnel here).
9:43 AM: Note that a few other road closures due to icy conditions are noted on the city map – 20th/Trenton and California/Othello. We don’t have firsthand verification, so if you happen to find any of these open, please advise – thanks!
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