2:56 PM: SDOT says the “low bridge” is currently closed to vehicle traffic because of mechanical trouble – so avoid it TFN. We’ll update when we get word it’s fixed.

3:06 PM: The live-video camera on the SDOT map shows the gate’s now up, the light’s green, and vehicle traffic is moving across the bridge again.

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

7:02 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far.

WATER TAXI SCHEDULE CHANGE: Another reminder, today is the start of the West Seattle Water Taxi’s fall/winter schedule.

That’s 5 days a week, am/pm commute times only – find the schedule here.

LAST WEEK OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: This Saturday night/Sunday morning, we “fall back” an hour into standard time.

8:01 AM: No details but there’s an SFD medical response to the EB bridge exit to NB I-5. (Added) WSDOT says it’s a crash partly blocking the ramp.

8:32 AM: SDOT reports a collision on 35th SW near Kenyon.

(Added: WSB photo)

8:47 AM: Thanks for the texts. A crash response on SW Admiral Way at Stevens has all lanes blocked right now, according to SDOT. We’re on our way to find out more.

9:08 AM: Our crew is there. One lane is open. Police tell us a passenger was taken to Harborview but the driver took off running after crashing the vehicle. As our photo shows, the tow truck has arrived, but SDOT is being called to clean up a fuel spill.

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

6:59 AM: Good morning! So far, no incidents on the major outbound routes in/from West Seattle. But we have weekend alerts:

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HARVEST FESTIVAL: On Sunday, from early morning through about 4 pm, California will be closed to traffic between Alaska and Edmunds as well as the usual Farmers’ Market closure between Oregon and Alaska. The festival (full details here) runs 10 am-2 pm.

SW EDMUNDS CLOSURE AT 40TH SW: SDOT plans to continue its paving work starting Saturday morning and potentially continuing through Sunday afternoon.

I-5 REPAIRS TONIGHT: 11 pm tonight through 6 am Saturday, repair work will close three lanes of NB I-5 through downtown, between Yesler Way and Seneca Street.

7:37 AM UPDATE: After-the-fact transit alert:

9:34 AM: WSDOT says tonight’s I-5 lane closures (mentioned above) are canceled. Meantime, we forgot to mention that this is the last weekend for the West Seattle Water Taxi’s seven-day-a-week schedule – next Monday, it starts the five-day-a-week schedule, which also means no midday trips.

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

7:02 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far this Wednesday.

7:12 AM: Now that the weekend is in view, time for a couple reminders:

SATURDAY & SUNDAY – SW Edmunds is scheduled to be closed at 40th SW for a continuation of the paving work that started weekend before last.

SUNDAY – The West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival will close an additional block of California to traffic south of the Farmers’ Market, so the Sunday closure zone for this week only will be between SW Oregon and SW Edmunds.

7:19 AM: If you use 59th/Admiral, we have multiple reports that the pedestrian-activated stoplight has been reactivated, after weeks of controversy over the effects of SDOT changing the intersection to stop-all-ways. We are heading over for a look.

8:10 AM: Confirmed – without advance notice, the Admiral stop signs are gone and the signal is back to pedestrian-controlled for crossing Admiral. Separate story later – we will be checking with SDOT.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: We have published a followup with what SDOT says is next.

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

6:59 AM: Good morning! Two things you should know about as we head for the heart of the commute: A northbound I-5 crash downtown (at Pine) has just cleared, but there’s a residual backup. Also, SFD is responding to a reported car fire at Delridge/Trenton.

8:02 AM: A texter advises NOT taking the low bridge to get to the ramp to I-5/99, because there’s a stalled semi.

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

6:59 AM: Good morning. So far this Monday, no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.

WATER TAXI NOTE: This is the final week of this year’s 7-day-a-week, all-day schedule for the West Seattle Water Taxi – as of one week from today (Monday, October 30th) it’ll be on the five-day fall/winter schedule, which you can preview here.

8:50 AM: Still quiet! But we cover major traffic incidents the rest of the day/night too, if/when they happen – tips appreciated (when you can safely/legally text/call) at 206-293-6302.

Thanks to Mel for the photo. Westbound Roxbury is blocked right now at 17th SW because of that crash. No major injuries. Wherever you are going today, be cautious and allow extra time – we have had trouble on most major corridors at one time or another so far.

(Added: Reader photo)

11:24 AM: Thanks for the texts. A crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge from Fauntleroy is near the curve, we’re told, blocking at least one lane, and a texter says the jersey barrier has again been displaced – which happened multiple times because of crashes earlier this week. So if you need to get to the eastbound bridge, you might consider using Avalon or Delridge instead, for a while.

11:33 AM: SFD has already closed out of the crash call, so, no major injuries.

11:54 AM: Still a trouble spot, though, according to SDOT’s Travelers Map as well as Twitter reports.

Meantime, a new crash – Olson Place SW, southbound per scanner, 9200 block, just before Myers Way [map]. Minor injuries but if you’re headed south/eastbound in the Roxbury corridor, take note.

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

6:12 AM: Good morning! So far, no incidents in/from West Seattle.

WEEKEND PREVIEWS: The rain is forecast to get heavy again Saturday night … You might recall that SDOT originally announced paving at 40th/Edmunds would close Edmunds west of Fauntleroy again this weekend. We’re checking this morning to see if that’s still on … In the stadium zone, Sounders FC has a home match at 1 pm Sunday vs. the Colorado Rapids, as noted on SDOT‘s citywide weekend-event lineup.

7:14 AM: Still quiet!

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

5:53 AM: Thanks for the texts. We start the morning with a crash on the west end of the West Seattle Bridge, which is closed both ways right now as a result, so you can’t get eastbound from Fauntleroy, and if you’re headed westbound, you’ll be detoured off by Admiral.

6:03 AM: Per scanner, a tow truck is headed “westbound in the EB lanes” to get to the crash scene. Again, the closure (see the top left image) is NOT the entire bridge – it’s the Fauntleroy end, west of the Admiral exit.

6:19 AM: This camera shows the police blocking the eastbound entry at Fauntleroy. We’ve just heard an estimate that it’ll be closed another “15-20 minutes.” We’ll update as soon as it opens.

6:34 AM: And the EB entrance at Fauntleroy IS NOW open, as shown on the SDOT video camera at 35th/Fauntleroy. (SDOT verified via Twitter, all clear, both directions.)

7:41 AM Crash reported at 35th/Thistle. Texter says it’s on NB side.

7:44 AM SDOT also reports a crash on EB surface Spokane just east of low bridge.

7:51 AM And now the SFD log shows a crash dispatch for 35th/Avalon.

8:36 AM Stalled vehicle partly blockkng right lane on EB bridge st Delridge onramp.

9:16 AM: SFD is responding to a “wires down” call at 35th/Southern. We don’t know what part of the road it’s blocking but dispatchers are noting (as monitored via scanner) that City Light is very busy.

ADDED 2:26 PM: Some have asked about injuries in the 5 am-hour crash on the bridge. SFD tells us: “Approximately 84 year-old male transported via SFD Medics in stable condition to Harborview. Second patient, approximately 48-year-old male evaluated by firefighters, no transport required.”

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

7:02 AM: Good morning! Wind’s still on the way later today, according to the National Weather Service, but so far this morning it’s a standard commute – no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.

8:06 AM: Very slow going again today – most routes to the bridge are in “red” on the SDOT map – but still no incidents reported.

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

7:06 AM: Good morning. Northbound I-5 is today’s trouble spot so far – a crash near the Convention Center has led to a long backup.

7:17 AM: The I-5 scene has cleared but the backup will persist.

7:48 AM: Next commute challenge – serious rain. This is the first – but not worst – wave of storminess headed this way through Thursday.

8:02 AM: Commenters say it’s a slog out there so if you haven’t left yet – be ready for slow going.

8:29 AM: The backup is affecting pretty much all routes to the bridge, per commenters and all the sources we watch. The National Weather Service, meanwhile, says it’ll be rainy for at least the next three or four hours.

8:35 AM: Metro has just acknowledged the sluggishness by sending this via text and Twitter:

9:41 AM: Trouble on the Fauntleroy end of the westbound bridge.

10:01 AM: Crash at 35th/Morgan – avoid that intersection for a while. (added) Metro has sent an alert that the crash might affect Routes 21 and 128.

1:44 PM: Avoid SW Roxbury/8th SW for a while – it’s going to take some time to clean up after that car fire. After hearing the first engine at the scene call for backup, we went over to check it out. SFD tells us no one was hurt.

2:46 PM: Just heard via scanner that most of the intersection has reopened (sounds like eastbound Roxbury is the exception). Heading back to check in person.

4:05 PM: Finally made it over. Now open all ways.

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

7 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported so far in/from West Seattle, and no road-work or event alerts.

(Added: WSB photo)

4:03 PM: Thanks for the texts. A crash at Fauntleroy and Edmunds is having traffic effects, we’re told. We’re off to check it out.

4:11 PM: An SDOT camera zoomed toward the scene shows that SB Fauntleroy is blocked, with traffic being detoured onto westbound Edmunds, while NB Fauntleroy has one lane getting through.

4:18 PM: Added a photo. Our crew says no one appears to be getting treatment for injuries – so nothing major. Also remember that Edmunds will be closed west of this intersection all weekend because of paving work.

5:08 PM: In comments, Brian mentioned that the tow trucks had arrived by 4:45 – and SDOT has moved the camera away from the scene, so it looks like it’s back to normal.

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

7:08 AM: Good morning. No classes @ Seattle Public Schools today. And so far, no incidents in/from West Seattle.

PAVING THIS WEEKEND: As announced late yesterday by SDOT, 40th/Edmunds will be repaved over the next two weekends, and SW Edmunds will be closed there both weekends, 9 am Saturday to 5 pm Sunday.

9:04 AM: Quiet commute – as always, we appreciate your traffic-related (and other!) tips throughout the day and night, 206-293-6302 (text or voice). One more weekend note: In the stadium zone, Sounders FC hosts Dallas, 4:30 pm Sunday.

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

6:39 AM: Good morning! We start again today with no incidents in/from West Seattle.

REMINDER FOR TOMORROW: No classes Friday for Seattle Public Schools – it’s an in-service day for teachers.

P.S. Thanks as always for letting us know if you see a traffic/transit problem we haven’t reported on yet – text/voice 206-293-6302 (provided you can use your phone legally & safely).

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

7:02 AM: Good morning – so far, no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.

LOOKING AHEAD: Reminder that Seattle Public Schools have no classes this Friday (October 13th) – in-service day for teachers.

4:49 PM: Thanks for the tips: If you use 1st Avenue South to get to/from, or instead of, the West Seattle Bridge, be advised the intersection is closed right now, after a collision that SPD says involved a bicycle rider and a semitruck.

5:39 PM: Per scanner, 1st/Spokane is now reopening, all directions. Right now, though, we don’t have any information about the condition of anyone involved in the collision.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: As noted in comments, SPD provided some information in a blotter post today; the collision involved a bicyclist and dump-truck driver. The bicyclist is a 61-year-old man whose injuries are described as life-threatening.

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

7:24 AM: No incidents in/from West Seattle so far this morning.

(Photo by Peter Commons)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MOBILE BLOOD DRIVE: If you can donate blood, you’ll find the mobile donation van at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) today, by the Clock Tower, 10:30 am-4:30 pm, closed for a break 12:30 pm-1:30 pm. Walk-ups welcome. (6000 16th SW)

PHYSICAL THERAPY NIGHT: Monthly assessment event at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), 5:30-7 pm – details in our calendar listing. (2743 California SW)

NEW ALL-GENDER SCOUTING GROUP: Tonight’s the first evening meeting for the new all-gender scouting group, part of the Baden-Powell Service Association, forming in West Seattle: “The group is divided into Chipmunks (age 2-4), Otters (age 5-7), Timberwolves (age 8-11), Pathfinders (age 12-17), and Rovers (ages 18+).” 6-7:15 pm at High Point Library. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

FREE FAMILY ZUMBA CLASS: 6 pm at Lil’ Bug Studio, a new series of family Zumba classes is starting, and the first one is free. (10007 13th SW)

EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:45 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. This month’s title is “My Brilliant Friend” by Elena Ferrante. All welcome! (2306 42nd SW)

MONDAY NIGHT MEDITATION: 7 pm at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor): “Each week we will explore a different aspect of Buddhist psychology and the practical ways we can apply it within our modern, busy lives.” This week, the topic is “Consideration for Others.” (5639 California SW)