West Seattle, Washington
02 Saturday
6:03 AM: Good morning! What you need to know about this holiday Monday:
*Metro is on a reduced-weekday schedule
*Sound Transit Route 560 is on a regular schedule
*Water Taxis are not running
*Washington State Ferries are on regular schedules
*Street parking is free in neighborhoods with pay stations
*Most government facilities are closed
*U.S. Postal Service holiday
*Schools are closed
REMEMBER – HIGHWAY 99 LANE CLOSURES START TONIGHT: North of downtown, but still of note for all 99 users – here’s the latest.
8:58 AM: Police are blocking the northbound 99 exit to Seneca. A reader reports that someone appears to have fallen or jumped from the offramp. Medics are being dispatched.
9:02 AM: The ramp has reopened. If this was a case of suicide … we always mention the Crisis Clinic and its 24-hour hotline for anyone considering self-harm, or in any kind of crisis: 206-461-3222.
9:06 AM: According to fire personnel monitored via scanner, the person did not survive.
WSDOT has been warning about lane closures on Highway 99 north of downtown for a long time – and now, they’re about to start. Just so everyone’s clear, they start tomorrow night, so they will not affect the Monday commutes (which will be lighter than usual anyway, because of the holiday). Here’s the latest info from WSDOT:
Drivers and bus riders should anticipate longer-than-normal commutes as construction crews reduce each direction of State Route 99/Aurora Avenue North by one lane between the Aurora Bridge and just north of Mercer Street. The median lanes in each direction will close for four to five weeks starting 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18.
Closure details
*Beginning 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, a single median lane will be closed in each direction of SR 99/Aurora Avenue North between the Aurora Bridge and just north of Mercer Street
*Lane closures will remain in place for four to five weeks, until mid-February
*An additional lane in each direction will close at night and during several weekends including Jan. 23-24
During the first phase of this two-phase project, when the median lanes are closed, the southbound bus-only lane will open to all traffic. Drivers should use caution since buses will travel – and stop – in the lane with other vehicle traffic.
Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation need access to the median lanes to build four large sign foundations for the future SR 99 tunnel.
WSDOT encourages drivers and bus riders to plan ahead as additional congestion is expected on Aurora Avenue North. Consider alternative travel modes such as ride-sharing or carpooling, or traveling in off-peak times. Keep informed by using King County Metro’s rider alerts or trip planning tools as well as WSDOT’s travel tools and SDOT’s traveler information page.
Thanks for the tips (text/call us any time at 206-293-6302) – the California/Oregon signal is broken again for at least the second time this week, flashing red in all directions, and when we were in The Junction a little while ago, that was leading to backups in all four directions, as well as precarious conditions for pedestrians trying to cross while vehicles were trying to figure out whose turn it was to go next. While the best way to report urgent problems like this is by phone – 206-684-ROAD, for example – SDOT acknowledged our “tag” of them via Twitter, and at least one other user had done the same, so a crew should be on the way.
6:23 AM: Good morning – we start another morning with no incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far.
WEEKEND REMINDER … If you drive Highway 99 north of downtown, WSDOT wants to be sure you know about this: “2 right lanes of SB SR 99/Aurora Ave N at Aurora Bridge closed 6:30 am-noon Sat. and Sun. for bridge inspection work.”
THEN STARTING MONDAY NIGHT … that’s when a month-plus of lane closures begin, also on Highway 99 north of downtown, but both ways – details here.
ALSO ON MONDAY: Transit changes for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day holiday include a “reduced weekday” schedule for Metro buses and no service for the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes. (And remember that school’s out on Monday.)
NIGHTTIME ROAD CLOSURE REMINDER: Nightly work on SW Alaska between 40th and Fauntleroy is scheduled to continue into next week.
7:05 AM: Megan tweets that her RapidRide C Line bus is stuck on the eastbound bridge, in the bus lane.
9:14 AM: Texter says there’s a crash at West Marginal Way S. and Holden/599. The SFD response is closed, though.
9:20 AM: WSDOT says it’s blocking the two right northbound lanes.
6:25 AM: Good morning – no incidents in/from West Seattle so far.
NIGHTTIME ROAD CLOSURE REMINDER: This work on SW Alaska between 40th and Fauntleroy is scheduled to continue nightly, into next week.
LOOKING AHEAD TO MONDAY: Transit changes for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day holiday on Monday include a “reduced weekday” schedule for Metro buses and no service for the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes.
BUT FIRST, THIS WEEKEND … If you drive Highway 99 north of downtown, here’s a reminder from WSDOT: “Reminder to Weekend Drivers: 2 right lanes of SB SR 99/Aurora Ave N at Aurora Bridge closed 6:30 am-noon Sat. and Sun. for bridge inspection work.”
(2012 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli, from original pad-replacement work beneath the bridge)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Another big road project is on the way. This one isn’t new – but it’s a year later than first planned. It’s the re-replacement of earthquake-safety cushioning under the Fauntleroy Expressway of the West Seattle Bridge, expected to happen last year, delayed until this year, now set to start in a few months.
If you don’t recall the backstory: Back in 2014, we reported on the revelation that 600 “bearing pad” cushions had been installed two years earlier on the Fauntleroy Expressway end of the West Seattle Bridge with a design flaw that made them too soft. The city caught the flaw; the design consultant didn’t fix it, and they paid almost $2 million for that error. In the meantime, the city decided that since the pads were going to be re-replaced anyway, they should be built to a newer standard of toughness.
The city insists the too-soft pads are not a safety risk; it’s just a matter of how long they will last.
We lost track of the project until it came up at the Southwest District Council meeting earlier this month, with a mention that SDOT was about to start community outreach about the work. The brief discussion that ensued involved some confusion – others at the meeting thought the re-replacement had already happened, and wondered if this were a round of re-re-replacement.
So we went to SDOT, which confirmed this is the work that was expected to start in April 2015. “City crews were on site for several weeks around that time doing some early preparation work for the installation,” acknowledged SDOT spokesperson Marybeth Turner. But – “We didn’t begin the installation when we had first planned because it took longer than anticipated to reach agreement on the design for the new and improved replacement pads, to work through the related design implications, and to reach agreement on the construction cost with the contractor.”
674 pads are to be re-replaced, and that will require up to 50 nighttime closures of the Fauntleroy Expressway – toward the west end of the bridge. Turner says they’ll probably be 9 pm-5 am weeknight closures, and more information will be available when scheduling is finalized. The work involves – as shown in the 2012 photo atop this story, from the original replacement work – jacking up sections of the bridge to remove the existing pads and place the new ones.
We have asked a followup about how – or whether – these closures will be coordinated with the eventual expected two-week Alaskan Way Viaduct shutdown, when the Highway 99 tunneling machine goes under the AWV. No reply yet.
ADDED: That reply is in now. SDOT’s Turner says, “We are aware the construction schedules for SR99 closures (for tunneling under the viaduct) and work on the Fauntleroy Expressway may coincide. We are now assessing the traffic impacts of the Fauntleroy Expressway project.”
6:45 AM: Good morning. So far, no incidents in, or outbound from, West Seattle – we’re keeping watch as usual at this time of the day.
EARLY-DISMISSAL DAY FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Classes are out two hours early today. (And, looking ahead to next weekend, school’s out next Monday for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.)
7:04 AM: Emergency response to a crash at 17th SW and SW Roxbury. No details, but be aware, if you travel that way.
7:21 AM: Seattle Fire has cleared the crash scene, which indicates no major injuries.
7:35 AM: The “low bridge” has closed again. Periodic reminder – you can check local bridges’ statuses via the @SDOTbridges Twitter account.
7:44 AM: More crashes to report – no details, but just FYI: 37th SW and SW Austin in Gatewood; 1st S. and S. Jackson in Pioneer Square (since 1st is an alternative way to get into downtown, we keep an eye on it, and also 4th). Significant rain right now, too.
8:30 AM: Just went out briefly and there’s lots of street flooding, so be careful. Meantime, if you’re headed this way from north of downtown, be aware of a crash blocking one lane on southbound 99 just south of the Battery Street Tunnel.
8:42 AM: Multiple reports of a crash at Delridge and Orchard. On Delridge, just south of the intersection. No major injuries, apparently – no Seattle Fire dispatch – but it’s a “T-bone” crash per one message, so might take a while to clear. (Thanks to Jason and Randall for sending word of this!)
8:55 AM: And now – a crash reported at 9th and Roxbury.
10:32 AM: Now there’s a crash response on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct at Seneca. (Added: “Big backup,” per commenter.)
11:09 AM: Speaking of the Viaduct, Mike just e-mailed to warn, “Just hydroplaned my way down WA-99 S and thought you might want to mention that the typical standing water problem just before you reach the WS Bridge is a bit worse than usual, and I encountered a first (for me) a puddle just S of the viaduct as it flattens out that was deep enough to be a problem.”
Good morning – no West Seattle-area incidents so far this morning.
22ND/ANDOVER REMINDER: Seattle Public Utilities says it plans to finish the work at and around this intersection between 7 and 10 this morning.
NIGHTTIME WORK ON SW ALASKA BETWEEN FAUNTLEROY AND 40TH: This work is expected to continue tonight (we’re doublechecking and will update if not).
FIRST REPORT: Tonight is the first night of road work that’s closing SW Alaska between 40th SW and Fauntleroy Way, related to The Whittaker, the big mixed-use project under construction there. The project team says SDOT required that the work be done at night to minimize the effect on traffic. Detour signs are set up.
ADDED 10:10 AM TUESDAY: More information on what’s happening: It’s about linking the signals and preparing for upgraded crossings between The Whittaker and Spruce across the intersection; the work will continue nightly through the 20th, approximately 8 pm to 6 am: “Scope of work is to install all the underground conduits and doing temp patch for a later date down the road [when more work will be done] … They will try as much as possible to be conscious of noise, but also want to be sure to finish on time to minimize the time of construction.”
As reported earlier, the 22nd/Andover sewer project ran hours later than planned this morning. We followed up with Seattle Public Utilities, whose spokesperson Rachel Garrett confirms more work is ahead tomorrow (Tuesday) morning:
· Work finished up this morning somewhat later than expected, however, residents were able to leave from 22nd Ave. SW and travel along the detour route via 21st Avenue and SW Oregon Street. We recognize that this created some additional traffic backups along the detour route.
· Paving work will take about two additional hours to complete. Crews plan to complete this work tomorrow, Tues., Jan. 12, between 7 and 10 a.m. Traffic will still be able to access 22nd Ave. SW, but residents who normally access the area via Andover will need to follow detour routes to SW Oregon Street (detour signage will be in place). Commuters should plan ahead for some additional traffic in the area.
1:03 PM: Thanks to Betsy, Steve, and Ragan for the tip on this: The light at California and Oregon is both red and green. So far, it’s being treated as a four-way stop, which is what you’re supposed to do when a signal is out or malfunctioning. SDOT has been notified.
1:26 PM UPDATE: It’s been fixed, our crew reports.
6:03 AM: Good morning. No incidents in or from West Seattle so far, as the commute begins for the second full week of 2016.
HIGHWAY 99 LANE-CLOSURES REMINDER: One week now from the start of long-term lane closures on Highway 99 north of downtown – all the info’s on this WSDOT webpage.
7:16 AM: Still no incidents. Meantime, a reminder for this Wednesday (January 13) – Seattle Public Schools will be out two hours early.
7:24 AM: Commenter Sam-C says the overnight work at 22nd/Andover on Pigeon Point – and on 22nd north and south of the intersection – was NOT done by 5 am as Seattle Public Utilities had said it would be, and was still ongoing as of the top of this hour. We’ll head over shortly for a look.
8:06 AM: The icy rain that’s been moving north from the South Sound is here.
8:15 AM: Confirmed – Andover is still closed at 22nd (and 22nd on both sides) while the sewer work that was supposed to end or pause by 5 am continues.
12:48 PM: Multiple reports of traffic-light trouble at California/Oregon – steady green one way, flashing red another. It’s been reported to SDOT.
12:05 AM: Just a reminder that 22nd SW and SW Andover – and 22nd on both sides of the intersection – is closed overnight for Seattle Public Utilities‘ emergency sewer work. They adjusted the end time to 5 am after hearing concerns from area residents worried about getting out to work/school/etc. If the work isn’t finished tonight, SPU said, they’d have to continue Monday night, so we will check later this morning to see if that’s planned, or not.
8:21 AM: As commenter Sam-C noted earlier, this did NOT wrap up at 5 am after all. We just drove to Pigeon Point to see if it’s still continuing – and verified that it is, so these closures still apply. We’re checking with SPU to see about an estimated reopening as well as whether more work will be happening tonight.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:33 AM: Good morning and happy Friday. No incidents in or from West Seattle so far. Alerts to share:
VASHON FERRY TERMINAL PAVING STARTING TODAY: If you use the Vashon terminal, Washington State Ferries has an alert for you.
PIGEON POINT ROAD CLOSURE SUNDAY NIGHT: If you missed the alert last night – the 22nd/Andover intersection will be closed Sunday night and very early Monday for sewer work, as will about two blocks of 22nd on both sides of Andover. Seattle Public Utilities says the alert has long since gone out to area residents, but wanted others to know too.
Also:
TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Two other stories we published Thursday – Highway 99 tunneling machine update (including a side discussion in the comments about whose machine it really is) … “Fog line” on the way when the speed limit is reduced on part of Delridge soon (and a Fauntleroy speed-limit update).
9:15 AM: One more thing – if you’re on Capitol Hill this afternoon and happen to notice extra police, former President Bill Clinton is making a fundraising stop on behalf of wife Hillary Clinton.
The neighborhood’s been alerted, but Seattle Public Utilities wants to make sure the wider community also knows about a road closure planned this Sunday night and early Monday, 6 pm to 5 am, along two blocks of 22nd SW in Pigeon Point, north and south of SW Andover, for emergency sewer-repair work, also closing the intersection of 22nd and Andover for the duration. It’s detailed and mapped in this flyer. SPU says, “Our goal in completing the work at night is to minimize daytime traffic impacts. There is also a possibility that overnight repairs may need to continue the following night (Jan. 11-12), if crews are not able to complete work on Jan. 10-11. There will be detours in place for residents who live east of 22nd Avenue SW off of SW Andover Street. These residents will need to access their homes via SW Oregon St. Crews will place detour signs along SW Delridge Way and SW Andover Street.” There’s been one change since the flyer was originally distributed, Garrett said – they’re going to cut off work on Monday morning at 5 am instead of 7 am, to reduce the impact on people who have to leave for work and school early.
4:04 PM: Though it’s not on the 911 log, we’ve just received three messages about a crash blocking at least one lane toward the east end of the eastbound bridge, so heads up if you’re headed that way. (Added) Just as we were publishing this, SDOT tweeted:
A crash is blocking most of the 2 lanes on the EB West Seattle Bridge at 4th Ave S. Expect delays. pic.twitter.com/FGLqWud9N6
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 8, 2016
4:19 PM: The left lane is now open again, SDOT says.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:44 AM: Now that the new West Seattle Water Taxi M/V Doc Maynard is officially on the job (WSB coverage here), it’s on to the regular morning traffic and transit watch. So far, no incidents in/from West Seattle.
FAUNTLEROY FERRY DOCK ALERT: As previewed here earlier this week, piling-replacement work is happening today at the Fauntleroy dock, and Washington State Ferries warns that delays are possible for ferry users, 7 am-4 pm.
ICY BIKE PATH: First published last night, an alert about black ice on the path near the “low bridge,” despite above-freezing temps.
7:52 AM: Thanks to the texter who just alerted us to the big emergency response to a crash at 16th/Holden. On our way.
8:07 AM: At the scene. Car is in eastbound lanes of Holden on west side of intersection.
SPD is directing traffic. 1 person hurt (driver of that car), minor injuries but will be transported via private ambulance.
8:16 AM: Engine 11 just rolled out for a crash reported at Roxbury/Olson. We’re off to check. 16th/Holden north/south flow is back to near-normal.
8:24 AM: No traffic impact at Roxbury/Olson, fender-bender and on a side street while SPD talks with drivers:
9:11 AM: Photos added from aforementioned incidents.
5:54 PM: Texter says a crew is working on the inside outside westbound lane on Admiral Way at 39th SW, and that’s causing a backup down the hill past Admiral Way Viewpoint. We’re checking to see what it’s about.
@westseattleblog #admiraldistrict pic.twitter.com/emTBrMZmu9
— brentamaker (@brentamaker) January 7, 2016
6:35 PM: Thanks to Brent for the video. It’s a Seattle Public Utilities water crew; we’re now inquiring with SPU to confirm whether it’s a break, who’s affected, and how long they’re likely to be working.
6:53 PM UPDATE: SPU spokesperson Andy Ryan tells us a two-inch water line broke/is leaking, and the crew should be done by 8 pm.
7:44 PM UPDATE: That timeline might slide, as a particular type of truck was still being awaited as of a short time ago. Ryan says no one should be without water but the flow is “throttled back” so some might have reduced water pressure.
12:16 AM: Commenters say the crew’s still at work and now hoping to fix it by morning.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:39 AM: Good morning! No incidents so far today in or from West Seattle and vicinity. If you listen to/watch regional traffic reports, you’ll hear about some areas outside Seattle with icy roads, but no trouble here – the morning temperature is warmer than it’s been in a while, in the 40s.
8:57 AM: Earlier this week, we mentioned Washington State Ferries‘ announcement that work was about to start to replace two pilings at the Fauntleroy dock. Paul Brannan sent this photo of a crane barge that’s arrived at the dock:
Our West Seattle Traffic page includes the webcam that should show whether/how this is affecting traffic on the dock as the day goes by.
9:13 AM: Crash reported on the Alaskan Way Viaduct at Western (just before the Battery St. Tunnel).
10:08 AM: Our note above about icelessness on local roads turns out to have been wrong. Melissa sends word that in Highland Park, 7th/8th/Trenton has black ice that led her and others to spin out. Be careful!
3:07 PM: Friday, if you’re in the Capitol Hill vicinity at noontime, note that former President Bill Clinton will be visiting to campaign for wife Hillary Clinton. Not sure yet how this might affect traffic but thought you’d want to know.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:16 AM: Good morning! No incidents to report as the second non-holiday weekday of the year revs up.
FERRY DOCK ALERT: As mentioned Monday, work to replace two pilings at the Fauntleroy ferry dock is expected to start with contractor mobilization today. We’ll check later to see when crews/equipment arrive.
6:52 AM: If you’re using California SW south of Morgan Junction, note there’s a four-unit response to check out an automatic fire alarm at California/Willow.
7:04 AM: The fire-alarm call has closed, so that means the units have left the area.
8:07 AM: Kerry notes in a comment that the bridge is backed up to 35th. The lower-right camera above will show you if that subsides.
8:20 AM: Via scanner, just heard police dispatched for a vehicle reported to be stalled with mechanical trouble “midspan” on the eastbound bridge, flashers apparently not working.
8:41 AM: Here’s what SDOT said about that incident, via Twitter:
Stall: W Seattle Br at SW Avalon Way, eastbound right lane blocked. Use caution & expect delays pic.twitter.com/Dpx7AKeaxj
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 5, 2016
9:09 AM: That situation is all cleared up now.
(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)
4:35 PM: A stretch of Bonair Drive SW is blocked just uphill from Alki right now because of a crash – a car that ended up on its side. Everyone got out OK, so what originally was a sizable “rescue” response was downsized, and only police are on the scene right now; Bonair is closed at Alki on the north end, for about 300 yards south/uphill.
4:51 PM: The car’s been righted, as you can see in the photo we just added atop the story. Also note the ice that’s still visible alongside the road.
5:48 PM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli says police told him they didn’t think the ice had anything to do with the crash; they believe the driver lost control, over-corrected, and hit the embankment on the left side of the street’; her car stopped against a parked Corolla, which was damaged:
Police told Christopher they’d made contact with that car’s owner, who was headed to the scene.
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
5:59 AM: Good morning! So far, the weather challenges are all OUTSIDE Seattle – just checked outside, and it’s a chilly, light rain, too warm for snow (if you see any in your neighborhood, let us know – 206-293-6302, voice or text). Be mindful of schools reopening today after two weeks’ vacation, so buses are back on the road, students are walking and riding, etc.
6:09 AM: If you use the 1st Avenue South Bridge – SFD and SPD units are headed to a reported crash on northbound Highway 509 just south of the bridge. “Minor injuries” per dispatch.
6:15 AM: It’s a one-car crash, on the bridge, according to the arriving SFD units, inside northbound lane.
6:27 AM: Two lanes are blocked while up to three people are checked for injuries, so it’s slow going. If this is your route, consider an alternative, or delay your departure.
6:43 AM: Another SFD unit’s been sent, so it doesn’t appear the 1st Avenue Bridge situation will be clearing any time soon. Still the only incident in routes through/from our area.
6:51 AM: 5-mile backup on northbound 509, per WSDOT.
7:06 AM: Crash scene now clear (see the “live” view a few lines up) after an hour – but the backup, of course, will take a while to dissipate. Meantime, SDOT says there’s a stalled vehicle on NB Highway 99 in the stadium zone. Only blocking the shoulder, but could be a distraction.
7:43 AM: Thanks to Adam for the comment re: the stall situation. SDOT also just tweeted that the shoulder’s now clear at Atlantic.
8:33 AM: Still no new incidents in/from West Seattle and vicinity. So here’s a reminder: Delridge-Highland Park Neighborhood Greenway work starts a new phase as soon as today, according to our most recent update from SDOT.
(Added: Photo tweeted by @MetPatrick22)
Thanks to @MetPatrick22 for the tip: Southbound 35th SW is blocked at Webster because of a crash. No medic unit dispatched so far – just one SFD engine – which means no major injuries, but you’ll want to avoid the area for a while.
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