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

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

6:58 AM: Good morning – if you’re heading toward West Seattle, we have a bridge problem right now, a crash on the westbound bridge, near the 1st Avenue South on/offramp.

7:13 AM: Now, the first outbound problem of the day – WSDOT reports an expansion-joint problem on northbound 5 near Seneca, and that means a lane is closed as crews head to check it out.

7:23 AM: That situation has the right lane of northbound I-5 closed and backups are building already. Meantime, the westbound bridge crash isn’t clear yet.

7:26 AM: As discussed in comments, the problem on the westbound bridge is affecting the 1st Avenue South on/offramp and that’s led to a chain reaction affecting the 1st Avenue offramp on the eastbound side. Police have been dispatched to try to break it up.

7:37 AM: According to the scanner, the westbound bridge crash has cleared and police have 1st Avenue S. going again. However, the expansion-joint problem on northbound I-5 is not likely to be a quick fix, so you might consider an alternative, or delay.

8:08 AM: Even the alternatives have challenges – Jennifer tweeted that the low bridge is backed up, with a “long line of trucks.”

10:43 AM: The northbound I-5 lane closure is finally over, according to WSDOT via Twitter, though traffic is still ugly out there, per commenters.

Traffic on the eastbound bridge looks a little more like morning than afternoon right now because of a crash blocking 1 1/2 lanes by the 4th Avenue exit. Two cars are involved, no injuries reported, police are on scene, as you can see in our screengrab from the “live” camera, taken a couple minutes ago. If you have to head eastbound, we’d suggest waiting a while.

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

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

6:31 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far this morning.

BRIDGE CLOSURE: Tonight, 9 pm-5 am, another closure of the west end of the bridge, last one for the week, as the Fauntleroy Expressway earthquake-safety-cushion project continues. If you are headed westbound, you’ll have to exit at (or before) Delridge. If going westbound, you won’t be able to enter the bridge at 35th/Fauntleroy. Next closure after tonight will be Sunday night.

8:09 AM: Michael tweets that truck traffic is heavy on lower Spokane. (Seems to happen every Thursday.)

8:59 AM: A texter warns of “gravel all over the left lane to I-5 north up from Spokane Street.”

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

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

6:30 AM: Good morning – no incidents in West Seattle or on the major outbound routes so far.

The west end of the West Seattle Bridge will be closed again tonight, 9 pm-5 am, as crews continue re-replacing Fauntleroy Expressway earthquake-safety cushions. Remember that on surface Spokane Street beneath the bridge, you might encounter daytime lane closures too, as setup work is done during the daytime.

6:59 AM: Still quiet. Another reminder: Tonight, 5-8:30 pm, is the first of two public hearings on the draft environmental-impact statement for the Port of Seattle’s proposed Terminal 5 project, at the Georgetown campus of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor).

8:48 AM: We’re on the bridge right now (publishing from the passenger seat, of course) on the way downtown for a court hearing, so a quick traffic report: Slowdown starts just before the crest. We’re headed for the 4th Avenue S. exit, our preferred way to get into downtown.

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

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

6:30 AM: Good morning – one incident in the area so far; if you are headed to southbound I-5 from the West Seattle Bridge, you will face a backup from a crash that’s blocking two SB I-5 lanes at Albro.

BRIDGE CLOSURES CONTINUE: Again tonight, 9 pm-5 am, the west end of the West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to be closed as the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion-re-replacement work continues.

6:46 AM: One of the two lanes on southbound I-5 has reopened; the HOV lane remains blocked, per WSDOT.

7:04 AM: And southbound I-5 is now all clear.

9:15 AM: Heads-up if you’re still heading out and you use 4th:

9:58 AM: A reader texted to report a striping-truck sighting heading west on Admiral Way. So you might encounter striping – which is often refreshed this time of year – if you’re out and about. (Let us know of any sightings – we’ll be watching while making our rounds, too.)

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

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

7 AM: After many uneventful mornings, this one is getting busy. There’s a crash on northbound 99 at Lander, blocking the left lane.

Also, Metro has just sent word that two trips are canceled this morning – Route 57 leaving The Junction at 7:06 am, and Route 56 leaving Alki at 7:23 am.

7:13 AM: Just for the record, Matt points out that Metro also tweeted the 6:40 am Route 116 run was canceled too. And we have other reminders:

*No bridge closure tonight – the Fauntleroy Expressway work was on its regular Sunday-Thursday night schedule this week, so the next one is Sunday night (9 pm-5 am)

*Reminder that the “Group Hug for The Admiral Theater” will bring about 800 students to The Admiral District later this morning for a photo outside the soon-to-be-renovated landmark – here’s our preview from last night. No road closures but they’re walking, so be ready for some big pedestrian groups.

7:25 AM: SDOT says the vehicles involved in the NB 99 crash have moved to the shoulder, so “all lanes are clear.”

7:37 AM: Back to previews – here’s the SDOT lookahead for this weekend, including a big soccer game at CLink on Saturday night, and Race for the Cure through part of downtown on Sunday.

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

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

6:28 AM: Good morning! So far, no incidents in/from West Seattle.

BRIDGE CLOSURE TONIGHT: Final closure of the week for the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion work, 9 pm-5 am; the next one after this will be Sunday night into Monday morning.

7:31 AM: Still nothing out of the ordinary.

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

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

6:28 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. Today’s updates:

*Another Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion work bridge closure tonight, 9 pm-5 am.

*Seattle Public Schools are out two hours early today

*Sewer-repair work is scheduled to continue on 35th between Juneau and Raymond.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: SDOT plans to install 80 signs on the West Seattle Bridge this weekend, marking it off in “zones” in hopes that will help emergency responses get to the right places.

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

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

6:39 AM: Good morning! Welcome to the first day after the long Memorial Day weekend and the last day of May. We’re launching a bit late because we’ve been out covering the case of the stolen-and-recovered ATM. In terms of getting around, here’s what you need to know for starters:

*The Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion work bridge closures resume tonight, 9 pm-5 am, with westbound traffic exiting at Delridge and eastbound traffic detoured to entrances other than 35th/Fauntleroy.

*Starting today, sewer repairs will block part of 35th SW between Juneau and Raymond, as announced last week.

*Starting today, Washington State Ferries is changing the “process” it implemented to try to speed things up at Fauntleroy. The new plan is explained here.

*Also scheduled to start today, Seattle Parks work to fix the handrail along a stretch of Constellation Park/Charles Richey Viewpoint on Beach Drive – the work isn’t in the road but vehicles and crews could cause some congestion.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK 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. Here’s what you need to know as the holiday weekend approaches:

*No Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion work bridge closures until TUESDAY NIGHT – Friday and Saturday are regular off-nights, and SDOT says they’re skipping Sunday and Monday because of the holiday.

*Metro and the West Seattle Water Taxi will both run Sunday schedules on Memorial Day.

*After less than a week, Washington State Ferries is changing the “process” it implemented to try to speed things up at Fauntleroy. The new plan, starting next Tuesday, is explained here.

8:25 AM: Thanks for the text – trouble on northbound 99; a vehicle is broken down in the northbound Battery Street Tunnel, and that’s causing a backup.

8:55 AM: And another problem on northbound 99:

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

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

6:35 AM: Good morning! As the holiday weekend approaches, previews/updates:

*The west end of the bridge closes for the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion work again tonight, 9 pm-5 pm, and then the next closure will be Tuesday night (May 31st) – Friday and Saturday are regular off-nights, and SDOT tells us that Sunday and Monday also will see NO work because of the holiday.

*‘Rolling slowdowns’ for movie filming are expected today for one last day on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, 9 am-3 pm.

*As first mentioned here on Wednesday, sewer repairs will mean lane closures along a stretch of 35th SW for about two weeks starting next Tuesday.

*Metro and the West Seattle Water Taxi will both be on Sunday schedules on Memorial Day.

8:38 AM: Thanks to Mike for the tip – police and tow trucks are at the scene of a crash involving a bus in the Delridge triangle, north of Roxbury. It wasn’t on the 911 log, which means no injuries of note.

10:42 AM: Thanks to David for the tip on the Seneca closures that SDOT tweeted about:

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

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

6:33 AM: Good morning! Two reminders for your Wednesday:

FILMING ON THE VIADUCT: Two more days – today and tomorrow – of scheduled filming resulting in “rolling slowdowns” on the Alaskan Way Viaduct between 9 am and 3 pm.

BRIDGE CLOSURE TONIGHT: The second week of the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion-re-replacement work continues, with the west end of the bridge scheduled for closure 9 pm-5 am again tonight.

8:10 AM: Yes, we’ve been watching and listening; things are still quiet! Reminder that if you see something potentially of note for your fellow commuters – tips are appreciated – IF you are a passenger; otherwise, once you get to your destination. Text or call us 24/7 at 206-293-6302.

1:57 PM: Two Memorial Day notes have come in since the morning commute:

-NO bridge closures Sunday or Monday nights because of the holiday.

-The West Seattle Water Taxi will run on a Sunday schedule on Memorial Day (Monday).

(WSB photo from last week, by Christopher Boffoli)

Reminder if you’ll be heading eastbound/northbound in the late morning/early afternoon on either or both of the next two days – more “rolling slowdowns” are ahead on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct, as the movie crew (widely identified as from the “Fifty Shades” sequel) returns. That’s according to this SDOT alert featuring traffic-affecting events scheduled in the city for the next several days.

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

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

6:34 AM: Good morning! No incidents so far in West Seattle or on the outbound routes from here. Reminders:

BRIDGE CLOSURES CONTINUE: 9 pm-5 am again tonight, the west end of the West Seattle Bridge will be closed as the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion project continues.

ANOTHER OVERNIGHT CLOSURE TONIGHT: If you expect to be headed this way from the Eastside, be aware that the westbound I-90 ramp to southbound I-5 will be closed tonight, 9 pm-5 am.

FAUNTLEROY FERRY DOCK CHANGES CONTINUE: The new procedures meant to speed up loading led to some delays on Monday.

7:30 AM: Still quiet – around most of the metro area, too – aside from the usual bridge/99 slowness as we get to the heart of the commute.

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

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

6:58 AM: No incidents so far this morning in/from West Seattle. We’re reminding you that week 2 of overnight partial bridge closures for the Fauntleroy Expressway earthquake-safety-cushion re-replacement project is under way; as our report mentioned last night, the detours include an additional ramp closure at least through tonight.

IN THE STADIUM ZONE TONIGHT: Mariners are back home, hosting Oakland at 7 pm.

7:50 AM: Some northbound I-5 slowing reported because of a broken-down vehicle in the right lane just north of the bridge.

1:11 PM: Update – we originally suggested the baseball game would mean a later closure of the west end of the bridge for the Fauntleroy Expressway work, but SDOT tells us the attendance is expected to be below the 20,000 threshold for that, so tonight’s closure starts at the usual time, 9 pm.

1:44 PM: Something to be aware of for tomorrow night, if you’ll be heading back this way from the Eastside. The announcement is from WSDOT:

Drivers heading across Lake Washington on westbound Interstate 90 to southbound I-5 should be plan ahead for a slightly longer trip Tuesday night, May 24.

From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit will close the ramp from westbound I-90 to southbound I-5. Drivers should follow the signed detour via northbound I-5 and James Street.

During the ramp closure crews will conduct work to preserve and strengthen existing concrete panels on both directions of I-90 between I-5 and Lake Washington. The work is part of the Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit’s I-90 Two-Way Transit and HOV Operations project which preserves the three general purpose lanes while adding all-day carpool lanes to I-90 and direct access ramps for transit, carpools, and vanpools. In mid-2017, Sound Transit contractors will begin work on the I-90 express lanes to operate exclusively for light rail as part of the East Link light rail project. The 14-mile East Link project, set to open in 2023, includes 10 new stations connecting Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Overlake.

(Photo from last week, by Laura James)

The second week of overnight West Seattle Bridge closures is under way for the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-safety-cushion re-replacement project, and if you’ll be heading eastbound before 5 am, you should be aware of a change in the detour plan, in case you missed our reminder this morning. The best way to get to the bridge tonight, and likely Monday night too, is via Delridge, because the onramp from Avalon is closed, with traffic being detoured to the next onramp, by Fire Station 36. That’s made for slow going on eastbound Spokane under the bridge again tonight, and some backup on bridge-bound Avalon. We asked SDOT’s Paul Elliott at week’s end about the change, since previously, only the 35th/Fauntleroy onramp was announced for closure, and he explained that the contractor decided to accelerate work to re-replace the earthquake-safety cushions under the ramp as well as the main section of the bridge. So tonight and tomorrow overnight:

-35th/Fauntleroy, Avalon-to-Spokane ramps closed – Delridge is best bet to get on EB bridge
-If headed westbound, you’ll have to exit at Delridge

Closures will continue TFN Sunday through Thursday nights, 9 pm-5 am unless there’s a major stadium event, in which case (as happened last Wednesday when Beyoncé was at CenturyLink Field) the closure won’t start until after 11 pm.

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

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

6 AM: Good morning! We start with alerts and reminders:

‘BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY’: From now until 9 am, what used to be “Bike to Work Day” will be celebrated on the bike trail beneath the bridge with a special station presented by West Seattle Bike Connections and Alki Bike and Board– snacks, simple repairs, more.

Speaking of the bridge:

NEXT FAUNTLEROY EXPRESSWAY CLOSURE ON SUNDAY NIGHT: The first week of overnight closures of the west end of the bridge is over. Last night, we caught this photo of the work in progress around 11:30 pm.

We and some readers noted over the course of the past few nights that there’ve been some changes from what SDOT announced – closures of the Avalon ramp to the eastbound bridge, for example. So we’re checking with SDOT today to see if more specific advance advisories might be available. Next closure, Sunday night.

Between now and then:

MORE FILMING ON THE VIADUCT: Another round of filming on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct is expected between 9 am and 3 pm today. As noted in our Thursday traffic watch, the “rolling slowdowns” definitely resulted in backups, so check camera #4 above before you head out during those hours.

SAFECO CONCERT TONIGHT: Billy Joel plays Safeco Field tonight.

WEST SEATTLE 5K SUNDAY: 8 am-11 am, Alki Avenue SW will be closed to Anchor/Luna Park for the annual West Seattle 5K. Also heed the “no parking” signs for race day! Transit reroutes, too.

ADDED 9 AM: We stopped by the “Bike Everywhere” station about an hour ago; by then, WSBC said, about 400 riders had already stopped.

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

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

6:30 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. What you need to know:

VIADUCT FILMING: Today is scheduled to be the first day of potential “rolling slowdowns” during filming of a movie on The Viaduct, as announced last week. The city wouldn’t ID the movie but commenters believe it’s a “Fifty Shades of Grey” sequel, otherwise being shot in Vancouver, B.C.

OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURE #4: 9 pm-5 am tonight, the west end of the West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to close again for the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion-re-replacement project. No EB bridge access from 35th/Fauntleroy; WB, you have to exit by Delridge.

“BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY” TOMORROW: Instead of “Bike to Work Day,” Friday is now “Bike Everywhere Day“ (presented by Cascade Bicycle Club), with riders in this area invited to stop at a “celebration station” along the path to the low bridge.

WEST SEATTLE 5K SUNDAY: From approximately 8 am to 11 am on Sunday, the West Seattle 5K (with co-sponsors including WSB) run/walk will close Alki SW. Today’s your last chance to sign up online.

10:08 AM:< Thanks for the Highway 99 traffic photo:

The sender captioned it “50 Shades of Traffic.”

11:46 AM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli (who was the first to point out that intel suggested this involves the “50 Shades” sequel[s]) sends photos:

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

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

6:21 AM: Good morning! More sunshine, and so far, no incidents in/from West Seattle.

OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURE #3: Tonight is scheduled to be the third night that the west end of the West Seattle Bridge will close, 9 pm-5 am, for the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion-re-replacement project. You might notice the closure – requiring, among other things, bridge exiting at or before Delridge – if you’re returning from …

STADIUM CONCERT: Stadium-zone traffic alert – superstar Beyoncé performs at CenturyLink Field tonight (7:30 pm).

LOOKING AHEAD – “BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY” FRIDAY: Friday is “Bike Everywhere Day“ (Cascade Bicycle Club‘s new name for what used to be “Bike to Work Day”), and riders will find a “celebration station” in the usual spot on the path west of the low bridge.

LOOKING AHEAD – WEST SEATTLE 5K SUNDAY: Sunday, Alki Avenue will be closed until late morning for the West Seattle 5K (with co-sponsors including WSB) run/walk. Tomorrow’s your last chance to sign up online, or do it at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) noon-6 pm Saturday or at the start line 8 am Sunday.

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

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

7:30 AM: Good morning. The sunshine’s back; it’s been a morning free of major incidents in/from West Seattle.

BRIDGE CLOSURE TONIGHT: The second overnight closure of the west end of the high bridge is scheduled for tonight, 9 pm-5 am, as part of the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion-re-replacement project; the 35th/Fauntleroy entrance to the eastbound bridge will be off-limits, so you’ll have to get on at Harbor/Avalon or Delridge; if you’re headed westbound, you’ll have to exit by Delridge.

NOTES FOR FERRY USERS: First, if you board via Fauntleroy, be aware of this change starting next Monday. Second, if you’re out there today, watch for whales – check this tweet:

We also had a tip about whales yesterday, though not quite so early.

9:05 AM: Crash on the eastbound bridge at the 99 exit. “Gridlocked,” reports Randall.

9:15 AM: SDOT says the crash is cleared. But as the advisory goes, “residual backup” might take a while to do the same.

10:52 PM: The barrels and barricades blocking the 35th/Fauntleroy entrance to the eastbound West Seattle Bridge are just one sign that the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion-re-replacement project is finally under way. This is the first of dozens of expected overnight closures of the west end of the bridge so that crews can jack it up a bit from surface Spokane Street so more than 500 cushions can be re-replaced, four years after their original replacement, which turned out to have a design flaw. In addition to the eastbound ramp closure, if you are heading westbound on the bridge, you’ll have to exit at Delridge – Mike reports that the going is a bit slow because of that, and while under the bridge checking on the work, we noticed the heavier volume of vehicles coming off the ramp. The crews were staging in the center area when we went by.

The closure is scheduled to continue until 5 am, and to be repeated tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, 9 pm-5 am. No closures are scheduled Friday and Saturday nights, and SDOT says the closures will be delayed until 11 pm on nights with Mariners or Sounders games where crowds of 20,000+ are expected. We’ll have reminders in our weekday morning traffic coverage as well as, for the Sunday closures, in our morning “what’s happening today/tonight” lists.

5 AM: This “live” camera verifies that the first night’s closure is over and the bridge has reopened.

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

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

6:21 AM: Good morning! It’s a somewhat-soggy Monday so far. No incidents in/from West Seattle. But we’re reminding you again that the city says the Fauntleroy Expressway quake-safety-cushion-re-replacement work starts tonight, which means the west end of the bridge is scheduled to close starting at 9 pm, as explained here.

8:50 AM: First notable incident of the morning, and an alert for surface traffic – Mickey reports via Twitter, “An accident involving a train and semi at Spokane and Alaskan Way – no apparent injuries. @SeattlePD on scene.”