West Seattle, Washington
03 Friday
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning. The rain started up again a short time ago but so far that’s the only commute-affecting factor – no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.
7:54 AM: Stalled vehicle reported in left lane of EB bridge, near crest.
5:55 PM: Thanks for the tips – multiple trouble spots out there right now. A crash on the West Seattle Bridge that looked like it might clear quickly is now blocking two lanes on the westbound high rise, we’re told. There’s also a crash at 17th and Roxbury that is rerouting buses, according to a Metro alert. We’re also told of deep water on the exit from SB 99 to the bridge, as well as on the bridge itself.
6:29 PM: Metro says SW Roxbury bus routing has returned to normal.
7:17 PM: Now SFD and SPD are headed to a crash at Delridge and Trenton.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:52 AM: Good morning! Just checked around, and there are no incidents so far this morning in West Seattle or on the outbound routes.
7:22 AM If you are headed for NB I-5 – a stalled dump truck is blocking the right center lane by the I-90 exit.
7:49 AM: Cleared!
(Photo added – e-mailed by Andrea)
9:21 AM: Thanks for the photos – that car fire is causing trouble on Fauntleroy Way SW at SW Rose, by Lincoln Park. Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) tells us it’s blocking northbound traffic. Metro just sent an alert about transit delays in the area, too.
(Texted photo, from Kera)
No injuries reported.
9:42 AM: One more photo added – the SDOT crew called to clean up so the road could be reopened. Police at the scene verify that no one was hurt; the road has reopened.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning and welcome to the brand-new week! Checking around, we find no incidents in/from West Seattle so far this morning.
TRANSPORTATION HEADLINES: Want to have a big role in the next year of planning West Seattle-to-Ballard light rail? Today’s the deadline for applying to be on the “stakeholder group” – info here … Big decisions are even closer for the RapidRide H Line along Delridge – take a look and speak up before everything from stop locations to road changes are finalized … Roadbuilding continues inside the Highway 99 tunnel, which might be open by year’s end – see an update and time-lapse video here.
5:55 PM: Just a reminder – as first noted here on Wednesday, a commercial-production film crew is working in The Junction tonight, and traffic is being stopped intermittently on California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska as a result. We just arrived for a firsthand look and also noted that the traffic stops also involve SW Alaska at California (photo above). As the production scout had told us, the crew (from locally based StraightEIGHT) is “filming a car” being driven on that block – repeatedly. That’s what we’ve seen so far; we’re also checking to see how long they plan to work (the permit runs until 11 pm).
6 PM: Just talked to the scout who had first contacted us, Dave Drummond, who’s on site with the crew, answering bystanders’ questions, etc. – he says they’ll likely be done between 9 and 10 pm. (And while they’re filming a car, it’s not a new car – (added) see photo above – and not a car commercial.)
Again, this is not a continuous traffic stop – and the road has reopened for long stretches between shooting sequences – but if you’re Junction-bound in the next few hours, just be aware you might encounter one of the stops.
10:08 PM: Just went back to The Junction to check; the crew is indeed packing up.
12:40 PM: Seven weeks after moving an old log house across West Seattle, the “house-rescuing” firm Nickel Bros is about to save another local house. The 55-year-old house in our photo, at 1262 Alki SW, will be trucked off the site around midnight tonight and taken to a barge that will be waiting at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. That means road and parking restrictions for a few early-morning hours – you might already have seen the signs. From here, Nickel Bros tells us, this house will be going to a new owner in British Columbia. It would otherwise have been demolished to make way for the new SolTerra development that’s planned for the site; Nickel Bros says the developer asked them to try to find new owners for other houses at the project site too (including the one in the background of our photo above) – you can see the other listings here.
8:09 PM: In comments, readers have pointed out that this is the former home of Fred and Marjorie Dau, best remembered for Admiralty House Antiques (which closed in 2013 in the North Admiral building that now holds the restaurant Mioposto). We will be on Alki Avenue later tonight to cover the move.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning. Just checked around, and no incidents are reported in/from West Seattle so far this morning.
SATURDAY ALERT: Whether you are participating or not, be aware that the Women’s March 2.0 will bring thousands to Capitol Hill and downtown tomorrow. Metro has issued this alert, saying it’s adding extra buses as needed on routes including the C Line. Here’s the SDOT traffic alert.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:48 AM: The weather has calmed considerably since the early-morning storm; as noted here, almost 100 Arbor Heights homes are without power. As for traffic, we’ve checked around and no incidents are currently reported in/from West Seattle.
POST-COMMUTE NOTE: We monitor traffic around the clock and appreciate hearing about trouble if you see something that’s not already being covered here – when you can call/text safely and legally, our 24-hour hotline is always the best way to reach us immediately, 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(Added: ‘No parking’ signs in Junction in advance of Sunday night filming)
Today we have a semi-rare case of advance notice that a film/video crew will be in West Seattle for commercial production. This Sunday night (January 21st), between about 5 pm and 10 pm, Seattle-based StraightEIGHT will be working on California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska, location planner Dave Drummond tells WSB. He says he can’t disclose “what product it’s for,” but what they’ll be doing is “filming a car traveling on California between Oregon and Alaska.” (Repeatedly.) Police will be there to help them manage traffic, which will be “held” intermittently, a few minutes at a time. Drummond is doing advance work right now to talk to businesses in the area and work out other details. So in case you see the crew Sunday night – and related equipment/vehicles staging nearby – now you know!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning. As we begin, a Seattle Fire response is arriving at a collision on the Western Avenue offramp from northbound 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct.
FERRIES: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth continues the two-boat schedule today.
7:07 AM: Via scanner, SFD has just told dispatch that the 99-at-Western incident isn’t a crash, it’s a broken-down school bus, so their units are being dismissed.
7:56 AM: SFD medical response at 26th/Genesee.
8:50 AM: Crash at Delridge and Trenton. Avoid the area. (Note: We’re covering the crash separately, here.)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:53 AM: Good morning. If you’re headed toward northbound I-5, there might be a bit of a backup, after an SFD medical response just north of the West Seattle Bridge exit – but the call just closed a moment ago. That’s the only in-or-outbound-from-West Seattle incident so far.
Other notes:
-The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth Washington State Ferries run remains on a two-boat schedule.
-Utility work on 45th SW in front of Madison Middle School will close the street to all but school buses for a few days, starting as soon as today.
For much of the rest of the week, 45th Avenue SW by Madison Middle School – between SW Hinds and SW Spokane – will be closed to all vehicle traffic but school buses. Seattle Public Utilities says it’s a sewer-repair project, and should be complete by the end of the week. They’ve distributed flyers along the street and talked with the school, but just in case you’re a 45th user who is outside that notification scope, this is an FYI. (Thanks to the person who tipped us to this!)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:24 AM: Good morning! Here are the transportation changes for today’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day holiday:
METRO – Reduced weekday service
WATER TAXI – No service
SOUND TRANSIT – Regular weekday service for Route 560; light rail, Saturday schedule
CITY STREET PARKING – No charge at city-run pay stations/meters
SCHOOL BUSES – No school, so no buses
Remember that Metro plans to stop most buses for a “moment of remembrance” at 4:04 pm today.
Also: As announced last night, Washington State Ferries’ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is down to 2 boats.
10:04 AM: Thanks for the tips: For the second morning in a row – after other recent incidences – the Admiral Way/California SW signal light is in flashing-red mode (since at least 8:30). Remember, that makes it an all-way stop. (We’ll be checking with SDOT after the holiday to see why this signal is having so much trouble lately.)
11:11 AM: Just got a call about the 35th SW/SW Monroe crash. SFD was not dispatched, which means no injuries; it should clear soon if it hasn’t already, as one car was being towed as of a few minutes ago.
11:20 AM: Now there’s word of a crash at 38th SW/SW Alaska, blocking – according to scanner traffic – westbound Alaska as well as 38th at the crash scene. SFD has responded to this one (Engine 32, which is based right across the street).
12:34 PM: And now a collision is blocking what is described via scanner as NB Alki SW in the 1300 block. (And the Admiral/California light mentioned above is STILL flashing, per a reader who went through a short time ago.)
6:18 AM: Reminder that the Battery Street Tunnel closure is under way right now – closed for an inspection related to plans for its decommissioning after the Alaskan Way Viaduct is taken out of service. The closure is scheduled to continue until 10 am; if you are headed northbound on 99, you will have to exit at Western, and if you are headed southbound, you will have to exit at Denny.
10:19 AM The SDOT webcam above verifies the tunnel has reopened.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:03 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far.
Reminders:
SATURDAY MORNING BATTERY STREET TUNNEL CLOSURE: The BSTunnel will be closed both ways 6 am-10 am Saturday morning. If you’re heading north, you’ll have to exit 99 at Western; if you’re heading south (from north of downtown), you’ll have to exit at Denny.
MONDAY HOLIDAY: Monday is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No school; no Water Taxi; Metro on “reduced weekday” service.
METRO ‘MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE’ MONDAY: As announced Wednesday, most Metro buses will stop at 4:04 pm Monday for a “moment of remembrance.”
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning! We’ve checked around and no incidents are reported in/from West Seattle so far on this rainy Thursday morning.
Previews:
RAPIDRIDE H LINE OPEN HOUSE IN WHITE CENTER TONIGHT: Find out more about – and comment on – the future conversion of Metro Route 120 to the RapidRide H Line, by dropping in between 5 pm and 8 pm at Mount View Elementary (10811 12th SW).
SATURDAY MORNING BATTERY STREET TUNNEL CLOSURE: Another reminder, the BSTunnel is closed both ways 6 am-10 am Saturday morning.
3-DAY WEEKEND AHEAD: Monday is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No school; Metro on “reduced weekday” service.
METRO ‘MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE’ MONDAY: As announced yesterday, most Metro buses will pause for a “moment of remembrance” at 4:04 pm Monday.
8:43 AM: SDOT reports a collision at Highland Park Way and Holden.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning! Just checked around and no incidents are reported in West Seattle or on the outbound routes.
Looking ahead:
RAPIDRIDE H LINE MEETINGS: 5-8 pm tonight in Burien, it’s the first drop-in meeting related to the conversion of Route 120 to RapidRide H Line. Tomorrow night, White Center; next Wednesday, Delridge. They’re all listed here. Routing/stops are being decided at this early stage so if that’s your bus, get to one if you can.
SATURDAY MORNING REMINDER: 6-10 am Saturday (January 13th), WSDOT will close the Battery Street Tunnel for an inspection. If northbound on 99, you’ll have to exit at Western; if southbound, you’ll have to exit at Denny.
HOLIDAY REMINDER: Next Monday (January 15th) is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. School will be out; Metro will be on “reduced weekday” service.
4:04 PM: Since it’s getting to be time to go home, we’re mentioning this crash that a few people have let us know about: Westbound West Seattle Bridge, Delridge offramp area, right lane is blocked. Police have just said over the scanner that two vehicles are involved. No SFD dispatch so apparently no injuries of note. If you’re headed this way, be careful.
5:04 PM: No updates but the westbound bridge does not appear to be backed up. Meantime, as mentioned in comments, a RapidRide bus was stalled on south/westbound Avalon just past Luna Park – Maggie says she has since seen it being towed away. We also checked on Fairmount through the ravine, which was closed by downed tree(s) for hours earlier today – now open again.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:29 AM: Good morning! Just got a texted report of trees down on Fairmount Avenue through the ravine, north of where the Admiral Way Bridge crosses overhead. The texter tells us the road is impassable and that they’ve called 911 to report it. No other problems currently reported in/from West Seattle.
7:25 AM: Tracy Taylor says SPD and SDOT are at the Fairmount scene.
9:36 AM: We just went over to check; Fairmount is still closed at both ends of the ravine.
4:34 PM: Just drove the ravine to be sure it’s open – it is.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning! We’ve checked around and there are currently no incidents in/from West Seattle. Looking ahead:
WEATHER ALERT FOR THURSDAY: Early this morning, the National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement warning that “Very windy conditions are possible Thursday. The wind could be strong enough to cause local damage.”
VIADUCT BATTERY STREET TUNNEL CLOSURE SATURDAY MORNING: 6 am-10 am Saturday (January 13th), as previewed here, the Alaskan Way Viaduct is scheduled to be closed both ways between Seneca and Denny for an inspection primarily involving the Battery Street Tunnel. (Update: WSDOT tells us only the tunnel will be closed – you’ll be able to drive NB to Western during the closure.)
7:03 AM: There’s no SFD dispatch so far, but we’ve just heard on the scanner that SPD is checking out a crash in the 6700 block of West Marginal Way SW.
8:36 AM: Center lane blocked on eastbound WS Bridge by crash, SDOT reports.
8:45 AM: Already cleared!
9:13 AM: Crash on the ramp from the eastbound bridge to northbound I-5, and SFD’s being dispatched.
11:57 AM: Thanks to the texter who let us know about a crash on the eastbound bridge, not far from the Fauntleroy entrance. While there’s no SFD dispatch or SDOT traffic alert yet, we have just heard via scanner that police are reporting two incidents in that area – a crash and a vehicle “with a broken axle” – so if you’re outbound any time soon, you might want to plan to get onto the bridge east of there.
2:17 PM: While there’s been no official update, the closest cameras – including this one – and the traffic-flow indicators on the city map suggest that this has cleared.
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