West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
(WSB photo)
Avoid 12th/Thistle in Highland Park for a while – a big contingent of Seattle Public Utilities repair/water crews is here, along with police, after a driver took out the hydrant in our photo, on the northeast corner. Police tell us the driver was distracted – reported to have been arguing with someone else in the car. No injuries. (Thanks to Eric for the tip!)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:31 AM: Good morning! Friday has arrived. No area incidents so far.
8:48 AM: Still no incidents to report but one weekend alert – eastbound I-90 lane closures you should know about, if you’re planning to cross the lake. WSDOT has details.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:38 AM: No incidents in or from West Seattle so far this morning.
‘WALK-INS’ REMINDER: If your route takes you past a public school, you might see one of the “walk-in” gatherings over the next two-plus hours. Teachers, staff, parents, and community members are gathering to show support for schools and for fully financing them. Here’s our list of West Seattle plans. It’s not a march, so no traffic effects are expected, and all schools will start on time as participants “walk in” together before the bell.
7:52 AM: Still an incident-less commute. Our standard reminder, if you see something worth an alert – and are *not* behind the wheel – let us know so we can help alert others, 206-293-6302, text or voice.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:02 AM: So far this morning, no major incidents on the routes through/from West Seattle.
One major reminder: Seattle Public Schools are back in session today.
9:27 AM: One note looking ahead to tonight – SDOT reps are among the guests at tonight’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), to look at the Delridge Multimodal Corridor Project and more, including the Bataan Park/Graham Street Stairwell in High Point. All welcome.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:33 AM: We start with Viaduct trouble – a reported car fire has closed northbound 99 at the Battery Street Tunnel.
6:40 AM: Whatever it was, it was short-lived – a WSB tipster confirms what SDOT has just tweeted, that the tunnel is already back open.
6:44 AM: One reminder for today – it’s the second and final day of Seattle Public Schools‘ abbreviated mid-winter break.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: It’s Presidents Day, which means some changes:
–Seattle Public Schools are closed today and tomorrow (and most others)
–Metro is on a “reduced weekday” schedule
–No Water Taxi
–Most government facilities – including Seattle Parks and Seattle Public Library branches – are closed
10:18 AM: Crash on northbound 99 by the Battery Street Tunnel, blocking all lanes at last report.
5:43 PM: The onramp to the eastbound bridge from lower Spokane, by Fire Station 36, has been blocked for about two hours now, with what’s described only as a “fuel spill.” The nearby Delridge onramp remains open, though.
6:22 PM: The ramp mentioned above is open again.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:12 AM: Good morning! First, another thanks to Azimuth for finding the other high-bridge camera, which still isn’t back on the SDOT list, buried beneath another camera in a click on the city’s Travelers Information Map. It’s taken its place at top left.
Remember that Monday is the Presidents Day holiday – plus the first of two days off in an abbreviated midwinter break for most local students. For transportation, Metro will be on a “reduced weekday” schedule Monday, while the Water Taxi routes will not run at all. (Added: Washington State Ferries will be on their regular schedule.)
Today, though, everything’s as usual. If you see something unusual and can safely/legally use your phone, text or call us at 206-293-6302.
8:27 AM: Remains a relatively quiet commute in/from our area. One more note – if you’ll be driving in the Junction area tonight, the work at Fauntleroy/Alaska is expected to continue into next week, so be aware of a potential overnight detour by that corner.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:23 AM: No incidents so far in or from West Seattle. As of right now, though, some of the regular SDOT cameras are stuck on earlier views – we’re checking to see if the others are being worked on.
7:36 AM: Fixed now, SDOT confirms. And since it’s still quiet:
TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Last night we reported on the changes in the works for the Fauntleroy/Endolyne Triangle … if you’re interested in light rail to West Seattle, the WS Transportation Coalition‘s survey remains open, looking for specific local opinions on route preference.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:35 AM: Good morning! Just checked around the area – no incidents right now in, or from, West Seattle and vicinity.
NIGHTTIME TRAFFIC ALERT: We don’t have night-by-night previews, but last night’s closure for the work at Fauntleroy/Alaska involved the block west of the site, on Alaska between Fauntleroy/39th and 40th; the previous night was a block of Fauntleroy.
7:58 AM: First incident reported anywhere in the area – a stalled vehicle blocking the HOV lane on southbound 99 just north of the 1st Avenue S. Bridge.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:34 AM: Good morning! No incidents in, or from, West Seattle so far.
NIGHTTIME TRAFFIC ALERT: As reported here last night, work on the Fauntleroy/Alaska has resumed, and a block of Fauntleroy was closed overnight. We’ll update later today when we hear back from the project team regarding what’s next.
TONIGHT – TALK WITH SDOT ABOUT THE ENDOLYNE TRIANGLE: 6 pm tonight in the large conference room at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), the Fauntleroy Community Association presents a community meeting with SDOT about proposed traffic changes in the Endolyne Triangle.
7:20 AM: Texter reports a crash at the Fauntleroy entrance to the bridge, with scattered debris, no emergency personnel on scene yet. We’re heading over to look.
7:34 AM: SDOT has since confirmed the crash. Fauntleroy is slow going even before you get to Alaska, so if you’re leaving any time soon, you might consider waiting.
8:04 AM: As you can see in the fourth camera view above, the crashed car is still there.
8:15 AM: And SDOT reports it’s cleared; the camera view shows the damaged vehicle is indeed now gone.
(WSB photo, looking north at the closed block, from the westbound detour at Fauntleroy/Edmunds)
If you’re headed out in the hours ahead – Fauntleroy Way is closed for a block between Edmunds and Alaska. It’s the continuation of street work alongside the mixed-use Whittaker development, primarily involving the new crossing at Fauntleroy/39th/Alaska. The project team had told us this phase of the nighttime work would last about a week; we’re checking but might not get the answer until tomorrow.
9:53 PM: Just got a text from someone at 42nd SW and SW Holly in Morgan Junction, saying that a semi-truck “tried to make the turn here and is stuck blocking the road. Need to get the word out to neighbors to move their parked cars; don’t think it’s going to be able to move otherwise.” People are going door to door, but in case you’re in the area (or headed that way), they asked us to share the alert too.
10:20 PM: Tipster (who also provided the photo – thank you!) reports a neighbor moved their car and the truck is no longer stuck.
(Click any view for a close-up)
6:55 AM: Happy Friday! No incidents in or from West Seattle so far. One alert, for tomorrow:
CRANE REMOVAL AT 35TH/AVALON: Here’s the alert we published Thursday. The contractor says four lanes adjacent to the Aura mixed-use project on 35th south of Avalon will be closed for most of Saturday as they remove the tower crane. Avoid the area. No bus rerouting announced.
7:24 AM: SDOT reports a crash blocking the left lane of the eastbound bridge at 4th Avenue South.
7:56 AM: SDOT says that’s cleared.
8:16 AM: Crash reported at 14th/Henderson is not affecting traffic. SPD tells us a drowsy driver hit a parked car; 2 people hurt.
8:59 AM: Added a photo from 14th/Henderson scene. SPD says the truck at left was headed west on Henderson when the driver veered out of his lane and into the parked pickup.
1:10 PM: Added – another weekend traffic advisory, this one for the south side of downtown, but you might be interested:
The Seattle Department of Transportation advises travelers of weekend closure of 4th Avenue South (northbound one-way) between South Jackson and South Main streets. 4th Avenue South will be closed from Saturday February 6th at 1 a.m. to Sunday, February 7th at 11:59 p.m. for removal of a tower crane by a private construction company. Metro transit will be able to pass thru on the west side of the bus island, not general traffic.
(WSB photos)
2:18 AM: If you heard the sirens: A Seattle Fire “heavy rescue” response went out a few minutes ago for a crash at 36th and Morgan. It’s already been scaled back to some degree; we’re on our way to find out more.
2:40 AM: One woman has been taken to the hospital, police tell us. A car is on its side in the planting strip on the east side of 36th south of Morgan; what appears to have been a parked pickup (now pointed uphill, southbound) has major rear-end damage.
2:52 AM: Morgan is open again after more SFD units left. Tow truck is arriving.
11:59 AM: Just announced: The tower crane for the mixed-use project Aura on 35th SW just south of SW Avalon is coming down on Saturday, and that means lane closures on 35th. Also note work on Avalon to follow next week. From contractor Compass:
This Saturday (February 6th, 2016) we will be closing down the 4 lanes on 35th Ave SW adjacent our site to dismantle our tower crane (all of which has been approved by the City of Seattle). The road will be signed accordingly and a police officer will be present to direct traffic (see attached traffic control plan for reference). The plan is to roll on site at 5:00 am Saturday with a mobile crane so we can start work by 7:00 am.
Weather permitting, we’ll have the crane completely dismantled and hauled off by 9:00pm. Though we are permitted to work until 10 PM with the lane closures, we are confident (weather permitting) we will be out of there before then. However, if we run into complications, we will wrap up Sunday morning. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause to your weekend commutes.
Lastly, we will begin work an Avalon St. next week as we connect our underground utilities. This work will take almost 2 weeks, and will be performed between 8:00am and 4:00pm. The lanes will be modified as we trench across the street, however, they will be signed accordingly and hopefully will not impede the daily commuters significantly.
Aura’s crane went up 14 months ago. When it’s down, two will remain in West Seattle for now, both at The Whittaker‘s site (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW).
1:10 PM: We’ve added a photo and corrected the project’s name – it’s Aura, as previously reported here.
(Click any view for a close-up)
6:56 AM: Good morning. So far, no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.
7:43 AM: A crash is reported at 24th/Holden.
7:52 AM: Via Twitter, Michael reports lower Spokane backed up @ Alaskan, possibly by signal issues.
11:24 AM: If you’re headed southbound on 35th SW, you’ll want to divert before you get to SW Barton. Police and Fire crews are on scene right now and the southbound lanes are blocked. Texters said someone appeared to be “lying in the road.” We’re here now and checking but wanted to get the alert out for starters.
11:28 AM: A lane is open again so southbound traffic can get around the scene. We talked to police, who say it does not appear anyone struck the man – this isn’t a crash investigation – but SFD is evaluating him to try to find out what’s wrong.
11:42 AM: A private ambulance was headed that way, indicating non-life-threatening injury/illness.
(Click any view for a close-up)
6:55 AM: No incidents of note on routes in/from West Seattle so far this morning.
7:16 AM: In case you missed our mention last night – Metro is circulating another reminder of its systemwide changes next month. Biggest one for West Seattle is the RapidRide C Line/D Line separation, which will include the C Line going to and ending in South Lake Union.
8:16 AM: Still incident-free this morning.
11:04 AM: As Kara points out in comments, northbound 4th Ave. S. has police activity; it’s because of a shooting on board a Metro bus. NB Route 132 (which originates in Burien), we’ve confirmed with King County DOT. One person is in custody and another sought; a 22-year-old man has been taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound.
(Click any view for a close-up)
6:58 AM: Good morning – no incidents in/from West Seattle reported so far.
7:36 AM: If you take NB 509, note there’s a stalled semitruck blocking a lane at Cloverdale.
8:43 AM: That’s finally clear.
8:58 AM: The overnight work that’s scheduled to close SW Alaska at Fauntleroy again nightly in the 8 pm-6 am vicinity for a week or so has been delayed, we just found out; it was expected to start last night. We’ll update when we get word it’s going to begin.
(WSB photo, 35th SW between Graham and Morgan)
5:03 PM: Two traffic alerts as the heart of the evening commute approaches – one, a crash reported at 35th and Morgan; second (thanks to Roxy for the tip), police activity has closed 4th Avenue South by the I-90 ramp. More as we get it.
5:24 PM: The crash on 35th is blocking southbound lanes just south of Graham, which is where police are diverting traffic westbound on Graham – 36th SW, south of Graham, southbound, is jammed as a result. No serious injuries in the crash, SPD tells us. Meantime, the 4th Ave. S. situation continues – not a crash, but some kind of police activity – and is backing up alternate routes including 2nd, says SDOT.
5:47 PM: And here’s what SPD says the 4th Avenue S. situation is about:
Three teenaged suspects in custody near 4th Ave S in connection with 1/26 greenbelt homicides and shootings. More details to come.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) February 2, 2016
SPD says they’re 13, 16, and 17 years old.
5:49 PM: And now there’s a crash at Highland Park Way and Holden. (added) Reported to be “3 or 4 vehicles.”
6:04 PM: Texter says the crash is stopping traffic headed uphill; SPD says Holden is subject to closure until it’s cleared.
6:22 PM: We are at the HP scene.
(photo added) 2 people have been taken to the hospital, police tell us. Uphill traffic has to go right onto westbound Holden.
6:48 PM: On our way back from HP Way, we doublechecked 35th/Graham; that scene is clear, and SDOT says two lanes have reopened on 4th Avenue S. at the earlier arrest scene. As for the current West Seattle incident – please let us know if you go through HP Way/Holden and it’s clear, as we won’t be able to get back there to check any time soon – thank you.
7:28 AM: Thanks to Sage K. for reporting in comments that HP Way is now clear too.
(Click any view for a close-up)
6:25 AM: Welcome to February! We start with a road-work note looking ahead to tonight:
NIGHTTIME CLOSURE IN THE JUNCTION: If you’re driving in The Junction tonight or any night this week, approximately 8 pm to 6 am, be aware that road work related to the new crossing coming in with The Whittaker will close a block of SW Alaska west of Fauntleroy Way, same thing that happened multiple nights last month.
8:01 AM: WSDOT says a shortlived stall that was backing things up on the ramp to NB I-5 has cleared.
The westbound bridge is backed up to I-5 from a crash around 1st Avenue before 9:30 pm, almost an hour ago but the good news is, according to a texter who just sent a photo (added above), tow crews appear to be finishing up at the scene. The residual backup might take a while to clear.
1:28 PM: If you’re heading out of West Seattle shortly, be aware that a big Seattle Fire response is arriving at a “heavy rescue” call that’s now reported to be on northbound I-5 just north of the West Seattle Bridge. More as we get it.
1:31 PM: Now that’s changed again to just south of the WS Bridge, and everyone is reported to be out of the crashed vehicle, so the “heavy rescue” response is being downsized.
1:54 PM: The crash is now reported to be blocking three lanes. So this is more an alert if you’re headed this way on NB I-5 toward the bridge.
2:22 PM: The crash and resulting backup have cleared.
| 6 COMMENTS