(SDOT MAP with camera/incident links; OFFICIAL #99CLOSURE INFOSITE; ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

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

5 AM: Good morning! We’re on traffic/transit watch early for Day 1 of the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure, and will be updating what’s happening in/from West Seattle, including the Water Taxi dock at Seacrest. No incidents so far.

5:30 AM: Still quiet. We have a crew headed to the Water Taxi dock now; remember, extra parking, bigger shuttles (here’s the special info brochure). First run to downtown is at 6:15; here’s the schedule.

5:57 AM: The West Seattle “low bridge” is closing to surface traffic for the first time this morning. We’ll update when it reopens. We also have a direct link to the @SDOTbridges Twitter account (which tweets other bridge openings around the city) atop this story.

6:10 AM: “Low bridge” closure over, available to land-based users again. Meantime, we’ve just heard from our crew at the Water Taxi dock, as the first run from West Seattle gets ready to go. There’s a line but not the 270+-passenger capacity, so if you’re WT-bound, there should be room. Meantime, a commenter says early-morning towing shows the city is serious about those overnight parking restrictions on Harbor to save space for WT parking.

6:25 AM: As you can see in the “live” camera views above (refresh the page for newest images), the high bridge is busier than usual for this time of day. Meantime, the official passenger count for the 1st Water Taxi run out, 78 – we’re told that’s more than triple the usual ridership for the 6:15 run.

6:48 AM: Todd Orwig reports that the high bridge is definitely “slower than usual.” The cameras are showing that too. We’ve added the I-5/Spokane webcam above, because WSDOT has it pointed west toward the bridge, so you can see the volume headed for 5. … Water Taxi update – 124 for the 6:45 am run. Just under half full. (Here’s our Instagram video of the line.) Street parking near Seacrest looks maxed; we’re checking on the temp lot across from the 7-11 at Florida. (Update: LOTS of room in that lot. Single-digit usage so far; has 200 spaces.)

7:02 AM: High bridge is wall-to-wall. No incidents in the corridor or on the peninsula, so this is 100 percent just people trying to get where they need to go.

7:19 AM: Low bridge is looking busy too (remember, we have a view of that above, too). And keep in mind some alternatives are new since the infamous 2011 “Viadoom” closure. For example, the South Park Bridge – see the live eastbound view here.

7:26 AM: 180 passengers on the 7:15 Water Taxi run – still room for almost 100 more. Both the high and low bridges are very busy – remember that the high bridge is two lanes outbound since the 99-bound lane is coned off (see the top-right camera). Only incident in the area is a truck stall on *southbound* 1st at Atlantic near the stadiums; police are working to get the truck off 1st and onto Atlantic. Also a note – we are tweeting some photos and observations in addition to this narrative – even if you don’t have a Twitter account, you can see our tweets here (also on the right sidebar of WSB in desktop/laptop/tablet-landscape views).

7:42 AM: Scanner has word of a crash at Delridge and Dakota – no other details. Meantime, though there’s no traffic cam showing the Admiral approach to the bridge, the southbound hill is gridlock, WSB’s Christopher Boffoli tells us.

7:52 AM: Deb reports in comments that 4th Avenue S. is backed up bigtime (she’s on the 37 outbound from WS). Meantime, the 7:45 am Water Taxi had 180 passengers – which, again, means there’s room for almost 100 more.

8:01 AM: Via Twitter, @voght reports the Delridge/Dakota crash is on the southbound side, and traffic is getting by both ways, on the shoulder on the southbound side. Weather report from co-publisher Patrick Sand at Seacrest – “It’s starting to rain.” And from Mike Jensen via Twitter (@mjtwit): “Took 40 minutes from West Seattle to I-90 via First Avenue.”

8:23 AM: Looks like the Water Taxi peaked last hour – 135, half capacity, on the 8:15 run from Seacrest to downtown (added: photo of line @ pier). The temp lot at Pier 2 also has lots of room for more usage – we asked and as of 8 am, it had only about 20 vehicles, one-tenth capacity. Meantime, the roads and bridges are still status-quo, now rain-enhanced. (Monday is supposed to be sunny and warm.) See comments as well as Twitter for bus riders’ firsthand reports – some rave reviews for the temp stop at 4th/Lander if you want to connect to light rail. Update from Christopher, who as mentioned above was outbound from Admiral – the low bridge was moving fairly well, if you’re looking for an alternative. (We’ve only had one bridge opening for vessel traffic this morning, the one way back at 6 am, mentioned above. Don’t know if that’s because of the tides or the city’s request for voluntary “compliance” in rush hours, as reported yesterday.)

8:38 AM: Another Delridge crash, per scanner – actually two at Delridge/Thistle. First was reported to not be affecting traffic, not sure about the second, so avoid if you can.

8:50 AM: 119 passengers for the Water Taxi run that just left. Among them, Junction-residing City Councilmember Lorena González [tweeted photo here]. Also, WT riders were given a survey to fill out – Kathleen tweeted a photo. Rain’s intensifying. Also, we have a suggestion from local community advocate and transit user Amanda Kay Helmick via Twitter: Try the Route 113 bus from 20th/Roxbury or Olsen/Myers park-and-rides.

9:02 AM: We’ve left the Water Taxi dock but are continuing to watch the commute. We’ll also have an afternoon narrative going later today, something that, unlike morning traffic coverage, we DON’T usually do, but this calls for it. And of course we’ll cover major incidents between am and pm commutes. Once we start adding more news for the day, this will still be linked from the ticker atop our site, and from our “spotlight” boxes atop the home page. Meantime, another WS crash – 48th/Spokane.

9:32 AM: Bridge is still busy but for example, no longer backed up all the way to 35th/Fauntleroy, on that end. So if you’re leaving later than usual, things are getting better. However, when you’re looking for where to exit – “4th Avenue is the real problem now,” we are hearing via the scanner. “Very problematic at this time.”

9:45 AM: Crash on the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge – see an image in SDOT’s tweet.

10:26 AM: First bridge crash today – eastbound West Seattle (high) Bridge at Delridge. Medic unit being called, per scanner, for person who thinks they might be having a heart attack, post-crash.

10:35 AM: The 35th/Fauntleroy entrance to the eastbound bridge is being temporarily closed because of the crash.

11:15 AM: Traffic is now getting by in one lane at the crash scene. We believe that means the onramp is open again but are going over to check in person to be sure.

11:27 AM: Before we could get there, SDOT tweeted that the crash scene is clear, so everything’s open again.

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

6:56 AM: Good morning and welcome to the last pre-Viaduct-closure morning commute. As we noted again last night, WSDOT says onramps will be closed starting at 10 pm tonight (which is when Metro reroutes take effect), and the full closure will be in effect by midnight. One more media megabriefing/Q&A opportunity is coming up later this morning so if you have any unanswered questions, let us know so we can seek answers.

As for this morning’s commute – no incidents in/from West Seattle so far.

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

6:34 AM: Good morning! Two days until the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure – which the city’s electronic signage warns will start at 11:59 pm Thursday. As for this morning, no incidents in/from West Seattle and vicinity so far.

8:14 AM: Still quiet this morning, and the impending Viaduct closure remains the big topic. WSDOT has just sent a media alert clarifying the start time – the alert says 12:01 am Friday BUT “onramps will start closing at 10 pm Thursday.”

9:52 AM: More times from WSDOT – the promised online updates about tunneling progress during the closure are now expected to be around 11 am/8 pm weekdays, 2:30 pm weekends.

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

6:59 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. Two reminders: Day 2 of the southbound 26th SW repairs between Barton and Roxbury; three days until the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s two-weeks-or-so closure.

TONIGHT: One month after Sound Transit announced its draft plan for a ballot measure this fall laying out its 25-year vision, including light rail to West Seattle in 2033, it’s the official West Seattle meeting for info and feedback, 5:30-7 pm at West Seattle HS (3000 California SW), with Metro’s Long-Range Plan also on the agenda. (Presentations at 6 pm.)

7:21 AM: Big response for a crash at West Marginal Way South and South Holden, which is the vicinity of the freeway entrance between West Seattle and South Park that gets you to the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge.

7:27 AM: The response has just been scaled back. We’re en route to check on if and how it’s affecting traffic in the area.

8 AM: It’s blocking a northbound turn lane to South Park from W. Marginal, but traffic’s getting around in all directions with SPD help:

SFD is leaving. We’re told at the scene that no one needed to be taken to the hospital.

8:18 AM: Two issues right now: A crash on the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge, and a medic response on NB I-5 in the Convention Center vicinity.

8:30 AM: 509 seems to be the trouble magnet right now. Police are checking out a reported vehicle crash or stall at Olson/1st (the hill to/from 509).

9:16 AM: The I-5 backup is reported to be 7 miles. A texter says the EB West Seattle Bridge is backed up to 35th. The incidents on 99/509 further south are reported to have cleared.

5:09 PM: Thanks to Kyle for the tip – City Light is currently repairing a utility pole on 45th at Oregon in The Junction. We went over to find out more; police tell us a driver had brake trouble and hit the pole, knocking it sideways. With SPD directing traffic, vehicles are getting through the area, but we’d advise avoiding it for a while.

6:25 PM: Just went back to check; scene’s clear now.

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

6:34 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Work is scheduled to start this morning on southbound 26th SW between Barton and Roxbury. And of course, Friday is the scheduled start of the two-weeks-or-so Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. Details on both, and a few other notes, are here.

9:13 AM: Commenters on the aforementioned story provide reminders of the two big meetings coming up this week related to West Seattle’s potential future light rail – the Sound Transit 3 open house (also featuring the Metro Long-Range Plan) Tuesday, 5:30 pm (presentations at 6) at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW), and the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s meeting focused on ST3, 6:30 pm Thursday at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW).

5:37 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent word of this – it’s not on the 911 log, so apparently no major injuries – a multi-car crash on westbound Fauntleroy Way in The Triangle, just past Oregon. “Slow going,” says our tipster.

6:04 PM: Just went by to check; scene is completely clear.

Before the year’s out, the county expects to complete the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project across from Lowman Beach Park, north of Lincoln Park; our most-recent project update followed the briefing presented last week to the Fauntleroy Community Association. There’s still some major work to be done, and some of it will bring dozens of concrete trucks to the site tomorrow. Here’s the alert:

King County’s contractor will be pouring concrete on-site tomorrow, Saturday, April 23 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to encase an electrical duct bank on the north side of the facility building (see photo). The electrical lines will provide power to the facility building and underground storage tank. The concrete will protect the electrical lines from moisture and heat.

Up to 10 trucks an hour will deliver concrete to the site. One concrete pump truck will be located on the east side of Beach Drive S.W. to pump the concrete onto the duct bank. Trucks delivering concrete will enter the site from Lincoln Park Way S.W. and exit using 48th Ave S.W. Trucks waiting to pour will park on Lincoln Park Way SW. Expect traffic delays and congestion while the pour is underway. Flaggers will be on site to safely direct traffic through the work zone.

Thank you for your continued patience during construction. Please contact the project hotline 206-205-9186 with any questions or concerns.

The million-gallon storage tank that’s at the heart of the project is expected to keep sewage from overflowing into Puget Sound when stormwater overwhelms the system.

P.S. Questions about this project? Next Tuesday (April 26), 5-7 pm, is your chance to drop by the site, look for the info tent that will be set up, and ask!

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

6:27 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, and now a week away from the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s two-weeks-or-so closure. SDOT has just reported a crash at 26th and Roxbury. No word on traffic effects but there’s no associated Seattle Fire dispatch so apparently no major injuries.

Updates and reminders, starting with one big one:

FAUNTLEROY EXPRESSWAY WORK POSTPONED: We received and published the news late yesterday – SDOT’s spokesperson for the Fauntleroy Expressway earthquake-safety-pad-re-replacement project says its start will be delayed until at least mid-May. This is the project that will bring overnight closures of the west end of the West Seattle Bridge and lane closures day AND night on surface Spokane St. beneath it. Those closures had been announced as starting next Wednesday.

VIADUCT CLOSURE STARTS NEXT FRIDAY: Early next Friday (April 29th) morning, Highway 99 will be closed between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge, for about two weeks – however long it takes for the tunneling machine to go beneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct. (There will be progress reports at least once a day here.) Is your plan all set? Any questions still unanswered?

WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE 2011 ‘VIADOOM’: We’ve been thinking about this one – some major additions to the local transportation scene since the fall 2011 one-week-plus Viaduct closure:

–1st Avenue ramp to/from westbound bridge (opened late summer 2012)
–RapidRide C Line (launched September 2012)
–South Park Bridge open (new one opened in June 2014)
-Larger West Seattle Water Taxi (Doc Maynard, double the capacity of Spirit of Kingston, took over the route in January of this year)

Anything to add? Also notable, SDOT says fewer vehicles use the Viaduct now compared to then, 90,000/day compared to 110,000/day. And conversely, more use transit. But this all means that even if you have a crystal-clear memory of how things went in 2011, it might not apply.

4:59 PM: Just got word that the city has changed its mind about launching the bridge-and-more-closing Fauntleroy Expressway bearing-pad re-replacement project next week, right before the tunneling-related Alaskan Way Viaduct closure starts. Paul Elliott from SDOT just told WSB the bridge work will be delayed at least until mid-May.

6:06 PM: Backstory now that we’re (briefly) back at headquarters – the April 27th start date for this city work was announced just hours before the state announced the April 29th start date for the Viaduct closure, though it had been in the works for many months. When city, county, and state reps briefed the media on the Viaduct closure back on Monday, we asked the SDOT rep why they were still going ahead with the overlap. He mentioned they didn’t think there would be a problem because the bridge closures for this work would be late at night and early in the morning. We pointed out that the under-the-bridge surface daytime lane closures were more of a concern to commenters, and he said he would “take that back” to SDOT HQ. Back to this afternoon: Paul Elliott says an advisory is expected out tomorrow. And if you were still catching up to what this was all about – you might have seen the portable signboards in spots like Fauntleroy Way west of the bridge, talking about bridge closures 4/27-4/29 – that was for this (again, now postponed).

ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Here’s the official city announcement.

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

6:03 AM: Good morning! We start as almost-usual by looking ahead:

NEXT MONDAY: Road repairs start Monday (April 25th) on 26th SW south of Westwood Village. Here’s the updated city-issued alert.

NEXT TUESDAY: The draft version of Sound Transit 3 includes light rail to West Seattle. For it? Against it? Want to make sure it’s done a certain way? Have ideas for doing it better? Take some time to go to the official West Seattle meeting next Tuesday (April 26th) – open house starts at 5:30 pm, presentations at 6 (King County Metro’s long-range plan is being discussed too), your chance for commenting throughout (and take the online survey ASAP) – West Seattle High School, 3000 California SW.

NEXT WEDNESDAY: The Fauntleroy Expressway (west end of high bridge) earthquake-safety-cushion re-replacement project is scheduled to start April 27th with a series of overnight closures plus some surface Spokane St. lane closures at other times under that section of the bridge. Still awaiting final-final word from SDOT.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29TH: The Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s two-weeks-or-so tunneling closure is set to start in 8 days, BEFORE the morning commute. Lots of info here, including a reiteration that the surface streets/paths/sidewalks UNDER the Viaduct are not expected to have to close.

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

5:58 AM: Good morning! The list of upcoming traffic alerts is longer this morning:

ROAD REPAIRS ON 26TH SW: Starting Monday, south of Westwood Village, with some detours/re-routes, explained here.

FAUNTLEROY EXPRESSWAY CLOSURES: The nighttime closures on the west end of the bridge start one week from tonight. We’re still awaiting an update from SDOT with final word on lane closures under the bridge.

ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT CLOSURE: And we’re now 9 days away from the Alaskan Way Viaduct being closed while the Highway 99 tunneling machine goes beneath it – that’s set to start before the morning commute on Friday, April 29th. The online clearinghouse of closure info is at 99closure.org – even a page where the state promises to post tunneling progress reports once or twice a day during the closure.

8:22 AM: Crash at 35th/Holden … but it is reported to have cleared quickly.

8:55 AM: If you are a Water Taxi rider – this afternoon on the downtown dock, it’s your chance to get a look at the upcoming Colman Dock overhaul:

King County Water Taxi and WSF staff will be at Pier 50 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. to share the latest design for the Seattle Multimodal Terminal at Colman Dock. This includes the design of the new Water Taxi facility. Please stop by to learn more and ask questions.

(WSB photo from March)

FIRST REPORT, 11:56 AM: The city is about to start replacing concrete panels on 26th SW north of Roxbury. The Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council shone light on this problem during its March meeting, which we covered here; residents along that stretch of 26th south of Westwood Village point out that both the road and their houses have been literally rattled by the dramatic increase in bus traffic since the area became a “transit center” a few years ago. WWRHAH leadership just got this notice from SDOT and shared it with us to help get early warning to you:

SDOT Maintenance and Operations staff will be reconstructing portions of older, thinner concrete pavement on 26th Ave SW that are failing due to heavy Metro bus loads. Work will commence on Monday April 25th, 7:00 a.m.

All southbound traffic, including Metro buses, will be detoured for the duration of the project. Metro buses will continue to use northbound lanes. The roadway will be closed to general traffic, however local access, including solid waste vehicles, postal carriers, etc. will be able to travel northbound only. It is anticipated that the roadway will be reopened no later than 6:00 p.m., Sunday May 1st. Areas adjacent to work zone will be no-parked; Uniformed Police Officers will be assisting during active construction periods.

WWRHAH leadership was told the first phase will be between Roxbury and Cambridge.

ADDED 4:23 PM: An advisory just sent by the city spells it out this way:

From 7:00 a.m. on Monday, April 25, to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 1, travelers can expect the following:

• The southbound direction of 26th Ave SW between SW Roxbury St and SW Cambridge St will be closed to general traffic.

• All southbound traffic, including Metro buses, will be detoured for the duration of the project.

• The northbound direction of 26th Avenue SW will be open to traffic, including Metro buses.

• Local access will be available in the northbound direction only.

• There will be no parking in areas adjacent to the 26th Avenue SW work zone.

They refer bus riders to Metro’s site for bus-detour info, though we’re not seeing it posted there yet.

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

7:23 AM: Quiet, sunny Tuesday morning so far, headed into the 80s again.

VIADUCT-CLOSURE COUNTDOWN: 10 days until the Alaskan Way Viaduct closes for two weeks or so while the Highway 99 tunneling machine goes beneath it. Some new information emerged at a Monday media briefing – here’s our report. The city, county, and state transportation agencies are continuing to add information to 99closure.org.

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

6:03 AM: Welcome to what’s expected to be a sunny, very warm Monday. Spring break’s over and everybody’s back in school, so be watchful for everything from beacons to bicycles to buses.

Two big reminders of what’s ahead:

11 DAYS TO VIADUCT CLOSURE – ANY QUESTIONS? In case you missed it, last Friday brought the two-week warning of the tunneling-related Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. Before the morning commute on Friday, April 29th, Highway 99 will be shut down from the Battery Street Tunnel to the West Seattle Bridge so that the tunneling machine can go beneath The Viaduct; that’s expected to take about two weeks if all goes well. As we’ve been reporting for months, local transit/transportation agencies have made all kinds of plans to try to help you get through it. Do you have any questions? We’re going to a media briefing/Q&A event later this morning with WSDOT, SDOT, Metro, and Water Taxi reps and would be happy to take yours along.

9 DAYS TO BRIDGE CLOSURES AND MORE: Also announced Friday, specific dates and times for bridge and lane closures related to the Fauntleroy Expressway bearing-pad re-replacement project. The west end of the bridge will be closed overnight many nights starting April 27th. Some lane closures are planned for Spokane St. *under the high bridge*, too. Here are all the details.

6:46 AM: Alert from Metro:

Metro Transit Alert – Route 50 is currently rerouted off of S Lander St between 1st Av S and SODO Busway, due to a blockage.

6:57 AM: And now Metro says it’s back to normal.

8:46 AM: Two more reminders:

30TH/YANCY CLOSED ON THE WEST SIDE OF AVALON … as the pedestrian-safety project at that multi-point intersection continues; the work switched from east to west last Thursday.

OVERNIGHT 99 CLOSURE NORTH OF DOWNTOWN: Tonight through Thursday night, the nightly Highway 99 closure north of downtown, 10 pm to 5 am, will be for all lanes of SB 99 between the Aurora Bridge and Thomas Street – full details here.

(2012 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli, during original bearing-pad-replacement work)

Since January, we’ve been warning you that dozens of closures are ahead for the west end of the West Seattle Bridge, for the work to re-replace hundreds of earthquake-safety cushions, officially known as bearing pads. (Here’s the backstory.) SDOT announced earlier this month that the work would likely start in late April, and this morning the contractor has sent word of the specific dates and times, starting April 27th. Note that the announcement includes not only nighttime closures of the west end of the high bridge (formally called the Fauntleroy Expressway), but also lane closures on Spokane Street beneath it – daytime as well as nighttime. Here are full details:

C A Carey will be closing the Fauntleroy Expressway (West Seattle Bridge) from 9 pm to 5 am. The bridge will be closed westbound at Delridge Way and eastbound at 35th Ave SW.

In the evenings, under-bridge traffic (Spokane Street) will be reduced to one lane in both directions east- and westbound. C A Carey will be out flagging along with the closed lanes. Expect delays if traveling under the bridge. Carey will also be working during the day to reduce traffic under the bridge to one lane in both directions, and flagging as needed. Hours for the lanes are westbound Spokane St are 7 am to 6 pm and eastbound Spokane St are 9 am to 6 pm Monday thru Friday.

This work will start on April 27, 2016 and continue through July 15, 2016.

Daytime (Lane) Closures
Spokane St eastbound 9 am to 6 pm
Spokane St westbound 7 am to 6 pm
Mondays thru Fridays

Nighttime Closure
Spokane St (lane) eastbound 6 pm to 6 am
Spokane St (lane) westbound 6 pm to 6 am
Fauntleroy Expressway [bridge] 9 pm to 5 am
Sundays thru Fridays

Throughout the closures, we will include reminders (and any changes/updates) in our weekday morning traffic/transit watches and weekend previews, and will also add the overall information to the WSB Traffic page.

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

7:06 AM: Good morning and happy Friday! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far this morning.

ROAD WORK: 30th and Yancy both are closed at Avalon now that the SDOT project at that intersection has moved from the west side to the east side.

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

7:23 AM: Another quiet morning so far, second-to-last weekday of Seattle Public Schools‘ spring break. One road-work note: SDOT says the 30th/Yancy/Avalon project will switch to the east side of the intersection today. During this phase of the project, 30th and Yancy will both be closed at Avalon.

NEW METRO SURVEY: This one’s about late-night bus-riding. If you use the bus between midnight and 5 am, Metro really wants to hear from you. Even if you don’t, your replies could be helpful. Take it here.

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

7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. Notes for today include:

AFTERNOON BASEBALL: The Mariners play the Rangers one more time at Safeco Field, 12:40 pm.

30TH/YANCY/AVALON PROJECT: SDOT announced earlier this week that this work could switch from the east side of the intersection to the west side as soon as today – we’ll head out to check shortly. (8:28 am update – SDOT tells us the change will be made TOMORROW, Thursday.)

HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE NORTH OF DOWNTOWN: Another overnight closure of SB 99 north of downtown is set for overnight tonight, 10 pm-5 am, between Valley and Thomas.

SPRING BREAK CONTINUES … for Seattle Public Schools, which reopen next Monday (April 18th).

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

6:43 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far.

Two weeks into the work at 30th/Yancy/Avalon/Andover, SDOT says it’s about to switch sides from the west to the east:

Construction on the west side of SW Avalon Way at SW Andover St is progressing smoothly. The crews anticipate that they will wrap up the west side work and move over to build the east side improvements as soon as this Wednesday, April 13.

As a reminder, when crews are working on the east side of SW Avalon Way both 30th Ave SW and SW Yancy St will be closed at SW Avalon Way. Local access will be maintained from SW Genesse St and 28th Ave SW. Pedestrian access will be maintained through the work zone and crews will set up No Parking signs.

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

6:21 AM: Good morning! One incident of note so far this morning that was clearing when we were at the scene just before the top of the hour, covered separately here, a crash on southbound California just south of Admiral.

Otherwise: It’s spring-break week for Seattle Public Schools (and Vashon too), so traffic should be lighter. More notes as the week begins:

OVERNIGHT SB HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE NORTH OF DOWNTOWN: This week, for each of four nights starting tonight, 10 pm-5 am, the closure will be southbound, between Valley and Thomas Streets.

WHAT’S UP WITH THE TUNNEL PROJECT/VIADUCT-CLOSURE PLAN? Hear for yourself during this morning’s 9:30 am City Council briefing.

MARINERS’ GAME TONIGHT: SODO evening alert – M’s vs. Rangers, 7:10 pm at The Safe.

6:05 PM: Thanks for the tips – westbound Genesee is closed just east of Avalon because a truck trailer’s load spilled.

6:28 PM: Just went by. Still blocked but traffic is getting by both ways, alternating, with SPD directing.

7 PM: Via Twitter, SDOT says it may take a few hours for this to be cleaned up so the westbound lane can reopen.

8:05 PM: Added that photo from Daniel, who says he saw it happen: “Truck driver attempted to go up the hill, failed, rocked the truck and the load of bricks came out.” He says police told him the driver was cited.

10:23 PM: Thanks for the updates – Genesee is open again both ways.