(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
At least at the moment, the rain’s a lot lighter than it was just a few hours ago. But the overnight deluge has left “standing water” – aka big puddles – in many a place, so please be careful, however you’re getting around.

I-5 WORK THIS WEEKEND: More expansion-joint (earthquake safety) work is happening late Friday through early Monday – this time, resulting in collector-distributor lane closures on northbound I-5; full details here.

7:43 AM UPDATE: Thanks to the texter (206-293-6302 any time) who reports the roadway is “totally under water” on West Marginal Way SW, just north of Highland Park Way.

(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
The morning commute is again off to a soggy start, and the forecast suggests the rain might not clear off today the way it did Monday. No traffic-slowing problems currently reported, though.

PATH WORK PLANNED: Reminder that today is the day the county was planning to do work at the 53rd Avenue Pump Station site on Alki, affecting sidewalk/trail traffic. (We’re checking to see if the rain has affected the plan.)

(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Monday! Notes as we start our first daily traffic watch for the first full week of March:

WATER-TAXI FARE REMINDER: As reported here a week ago, King County Water Taxi fares have just gone up. If you use pre-paid-fare media such as an ORCA card, you’ll pay $4 one way on the West Seattle Water Taxi, up from $3.50; if you pay cash, it’s up to $4.75 from $4.

NEXT ROAD-WORK REMINDER: Next weekend, the I-5 expansion-joint work resumes; this time, they’ll close up to 3 northbound collector-distributor lanes downtown from Friday night until Monday morning. The James and Madison exits will remain open, WSDOT says.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME STARTS SUNDAY: Almost time for a time change, already. Next Sunday morning at 2 am (call it Saturday night if you prefer), we spring forward an hour as Daylight Saving Time begins.

TALES OF A TEMPORARY COMMUTER: Continuing our almost-daily notes on joining the morning exodus from West Seattle temporarily while covering the Morgan Junction murder trial downtown – today was the longest yet, but the bridge wasn’t the biggest challenge; 4th Avenue S. was clogged. It’s the most direct route from the bridge to the courthouse parking garage we’ve been using (the courthouse is between 3rd and 4th on the south end of downtown), but today, it was a wait through multiple cycles at just about every light, for no obvious reason aside from me and the other commuters just filling the street. Left the house at 8:15, got to the garage at 8:50 (still not much to complain about, we’ll admit).

12:58 PM: Thanks to Keri for mentioning trouble with a semi-truck on the bridge offramp to northbound I-5. Checking cams in the area, we don’t see any sign of a backup, so it might be clear by now.

(More cams, and other info, on the WSB Traffic Cameras page)
Good morning! The day again begins without major trouble, so far. So here are today’s transportation notes/reminders:

HIGHWAY 99/ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT WEEKEND CLOSURES: Saturday and Sunday, 6 am-6 pm both days, Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct north of the West Seattle Bridge will close for its twice-yearly inspection. From Friday night until Sunday noontime, other stretches of 99 from the Battery Street Tunnel north will close for other reasons – all explained by WSDOT here.

ROXBURY SAFETY-MEETING REPORT: Couldn’t be there last night? We were. See the story for your next chances to say what you’d like to see on Roxbury.

WATER-TAXI FARE REMINDER: In case you missed it – Water Taxi fares go up as of March 1st (but since that’s a Saturday, and the WT routes don’t run weekends this time of year, technically the increase kicks in on Monday, March 3rd).

7:16 AM: Andrew reports in comments, “Just now, stalled VW Vanagon east bound bridge at bottom of hill adjacent to Nucor.”

8:08 AM: Crash reported on NB 99 near Seneca. Your editor here is on a RR bus waiting to get onto 99 and indeed we are all but stopped. But moving in fits and spurts.

8:28 AM: By the time our bus got off 99 at Seneca, looked like flashing lights beyond – we had continued moving with few delays.

9:04 AM: If you are leaving late, note that a crash is reported on I-5 northbound at Denny – so that might cause some trouble here in the late going.

FOOTNOTE: Continuing our “temporary commuter” exploration, we took RapidRide in, and took the Water Taxi home. First time on the Spirit of Kingston, we realized. It is FAST – listed as a 10-minute crossing but really seemed like about five minutes sailing, five minutes docking and undocking. Compared to the $16 we’ve been paying (tax included) for an earlybird all-day parking spot near the courthouse, $2.50 bus fare in and $4 boat fare out combined for a bargain. Lots of room for more people on the boat; we were dropped off by the 35th/Avalon bus stop and had to stand, but we’re blessed with good health and didn’t mind, especially facing a full day of courtroom-bench-sitting.

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
So far, so good as we head for the heart of the morning commute. Today’s transportation notes:

ROXBURY SAFETY MEETING: Tonight is the second of two meetings to set the stage for SDOT’s safety project on SW Roxbury, the result of local neighborhood advocates pushing for solutions to longrunning problems: 6 pm at Roxhill Elementary (30th/Roxbury).

WESTWOOD TRANSIT HUB SAFETY: Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council shares another update from Metro.

WONDERING ABOUT THOSE ROAD MARKINGS? SDOT e-mailed to make sure we had seen a post on the SDOT Blog site last week – answering the question “why are there white paint marks on my street?” In Arbor Heights and Fauntleroy, they’re probably for the upcoming microsurfacing prep work.

HIGHWAY 99/ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT CLOSURE REMINDER: Saturday and Sunday, 6 am-6 pm both days, Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct north of the West Seattle Bridge will close for its annual inspection. Before and inbetween, other stretches of 99 will close for a variety of reasons – all explained by WSDOT here. P.S. WSDOT also updates the ongoing discussion of “settling” after what it terms “inaccurate” recent reports elsewhere.

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
Another quiet start to the morning commute. And another reminder about this weekend’s Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closures – details here.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THE METRO NEWS: Two stories on Monday – first, news that the state will extend Highway 99-related “mitigation” money for at least a year and a half, which holds off June cuts that would have hit our area the hardest; second, the tax measure to hold off even-more-drastic cuts countywide is officially going to the April 22nd ballot.

TEMPORARY COMMUTER REPORT: Continuing our temporary commuter status, going downtown Mondays-Thursdays while the Morgan Junction murder trial continues – took the bridge to 4th Avenue once again. This time, reverse of the day before – the bridge was sluggish but 4th moved fast. Left at 8:15 am, ten minutes later than the day before, but it still was just under half an hour to our courthouse-vicinity, earlybird-discount parking garage. Hoping to try an alternate commute before the week’s out, but it requires extra planning and time; catching a bus from here to The Junction will require walking out the door around 7:30 am.

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
6:55 AM: Soggy but nothing else to report so far on routes through/from West Seattle. It’s back-to-school day for Seattle Public Schools after the week-long mid-winter break, so take note of that. And remember that this weekend will bring the semi-annual Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closures – as explained here, the shutdown is happening in phases, including parts of 99 north of downtown, NOT a wall-to-wall all-weekend closure.

7:47 AM: First complication of the morning – a multi-car crash reported at Fauntleroy/Hudson (map). So if you’re headed toward the bridge from Fairmount Park or southward, we’d advise California or 35th until we hear more about this.

7:55 AM: Per scanner, sounds like this is NOT a big blocking crash. (But if you pass it and find out otherwise – let us know – 206-293-6302, text or voice, provided you are not at the wheel … thank you!)

‘TEMPORARY COMMUTER’ NOTE DU JOUR, 8:56 AM: Commute note – since we’re headed downtown almost daily when covering the Morgan Junction murder trial, thought we’d add notes here (and try some alternate commutes when we can). Today, regular old (sorry for adding to traffic) single-occupancy-vehicle commute. Upper Fauntleroy to parking garage near King County Courthouse, 28 minutes, 8:08 to 8:36. It was 12 minutes to the 4th Avenue exit off the Spokane Street Viaduct, and then 16 more minutes along 4th – took a few light cycles to get off the offramp, and then things got sluggish around the stadiums. (We took the same route last Thursday, 20 minutes, but some families vacationed during the school district’s midwinter break, so we didn’t count that as regular traffic volumes.)

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing of note on area roads/highways right now.

WEEKEND I-5 LANE CLOSURES: The I-5 expansion joints work will affect the southbound collector-distributor lanes on the south side of downtown this weekend – detailed here.

REMINDER OF NEXT WEEKEND’S HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE: As first reported here last weekend, the next full-weekend closure of Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct is coming up NEXT weekend, late night February 28 until early morning March 3rd.

SNOW ON THE WAY? The National Weather Service is still warning of a snow chance starting Saturday night. Here’s the updated Special Weather Statement issued early this morning.

7:38 AM UPDATE: Bus-rider alert, from Samb via Twitter: “Card reader for Northbound C Line California/Fauntleroy giving error message for all cards.”

8:58 AM UPDATE: SFD is being dispatched to a crash at 1st/Spokane, car vs. utility pole, possible power lines down. Don’t know yet exactly what side of the intersection, so we don’t know yet how it might be affecting traffic.

9:26 AM UPDATE: JEM reports in comments, “The accident on 1st is north of Spokane St. The right lane was blocked before you get to Horton, where that lane is right turn only. So will slow things down if you are exiting to 1st from WS Bridge.”

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
No major incidents/delays reported so far. If you are heading south, note that there’s a sizable power outage in Burien and part of the unincorporated area to its northeast – mostly east/south of White Center – here’s the map.

8:53 AM: Maybe it’s just the no-school week. We crossed the bridge rather quickly at 8:15, headed for Day 2 of the Morgan Junction murder trial downtown.

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
We start the day with one more reminder that it remains a vacation week for Seattle Public Schools. And a followup:

WHAT’S NEXT FOR METRO FARE PROPOSALS: As noted in this spot yesterday, the County Council had Metro’s proposed fare changes – a 25-cent increase next year in the general fare, along with a 50-cent ACCESS increase and creation of a “low-income fare” – on its Tuesday agenda. Councilmembers did not vote, though. Our area’s Councilmember Joe McDermott says that’s expected to happen next Monday (February 24th), which is also when the council, meeting as the Transportation Benefit District board, is expected to vote on sending the Metro-money measure (car-tab fee, sales-tax increase) to voters for an April 22nd election. If the vote does not happen then, he says, a supermajority would be needed for approval, instead of a simple majority.

COMMUTE UPDATES … when there’s news. You can reach us with info via text/voice at 206-293-6302 – but not if/while you’re driving! It can wait until you get to where you’re going.

5:50 PM: Southbound 99 multi-car crash just north of the West Seattle Bridge.

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
Holiday’s past, so most things are back to the usual baseline – except for Seattle Public Schools, which are out all week, so take that into account.

COUNTY COUNCIL HEARING ON METRO FARE CHANGES: At its 1:30 pm meeting today, the King County Council plans a hearing on the fare increase that is part of the proposed package to avoid transit cuts, in legislation that also creates a special low-income fare. From the KCC website:

The fare increase, which would be implemented in March 2015, would raise fares by 25 cents for all fare categories for Metro Transit bus service. It would also increase fares for Access paratransit service by 50 cents.

The legislation would also authorize the creation of a reduced fare program for transit riders. It would set the fare at $1.50 and establish the eligibility threshold at 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, currently $22,980 for an individual and $47,100 for a family of four.

If you can’t be there, you can send in your thoughts via this form.

8:27 AM: Comment and e-mail mention that the Highland Park Way hill is closed to traffic. 911 log has a notation about a fuel spill.

8:50 AM: Per scanner, Highland Park Way is now open again.

10:03 AM: We asked Seattle Fire about the “spill,” since they responded – Lt. Sue Stangl says, “It was a small trail of fuel up Highland Park Way that ended near a fresh pile of gravel.” So, a mystery spill so far.

Just in case you’re driving this way overnight – the southbound I-5 lane closures south of downtown are over a few hours early, according to an e-mail alert just in from WSDOT. (Next week’s closure involves the southbound collector-distributor lanes and two on-ramps; details here.)

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
Notes as the day begins: Though it’s a holiday, Metro is on a regular weekday schedule; its most recent service change took effect Saturday – details here. No Water Taxi service today, West Seattle or Vashon. School’s out for most (if not all); Seattle Public Schools is on midwinter break all week.

ROAD WORK: The southbound I-5 expansion-joint-work lane closures on the south side of downtown are scheduled to continue through today.

10:29 AM: Crash on northbound I-5 at the Convention Center – so probably a good idea not to go that way for a while.

The big unannounced weekend project at California/Fauntleroy (reported here at midday Saturday after we got a tip) is done – new signals, signage, and other equipment installed and working – our photo from southbound California was taken just a few minutes ago. So the crews are gone and the intersection is free-flowing again. We’ll be checking in with SDOT once offices reopen post-holiday weekend to find out if there are any new unseen features you’d want to know about.

(WSB photo – looking west on Fauntleroy from California)
11:30 AM: Once in a while, projects with a big short-term effect show up without big advance warnings. Here’s one of them. Thanks so much to the person who called to flag us to the major work happening right now at Fauntleroy/California – involving traffic-signal replacement and police directing traffic (since the signals aren’t working while they’re in the process of being replaced). Lane reductions on all sides. Businesses are open, but you’ll want to find alternate ways of accessing them. The crew on the scene tells us this is scheduled to continue through tomorrow (we’ll update if it ends earlier).

7:23 PM UPDATE: While the work isn’t continuing into the night, the signals are out because of it and there is an officer on-site directing traffic, with temporary portable lights illuminating the intersection.

SUNDAY, 4:31 PM: As SeaChanty51 noted in comments an hour-plus ago, the new signals are in and working! We just drove through to confirm.

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
No notable problems reported in the area so far this morning. So we’ll start with the reminder about southbound I-5 lane closures during the long weekend ahead:

I-5 WORK: Between 9 pm tonight and early Tuesday morning, WSDOT plans lane closures on southbound I-5 to replace four expansion joints. The work zone will be somewhere between just north of the Convention Center downtown and I-90. Details here.

NO WATER TAXI MONDAY: Presidents Day is Monday and the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis will not be running. Seattle Public Schools will be out all week for midwinter break.

6:42 PM: Crash at 35th/Holden but no serious injuries reported and when we drove through a few minutes ago (thanks for the tips!) tow trucks were clearing both vehicles, with traffic getting through both ways.

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
7:03 AM: No major problems so far as we head into the heart of the commute. More to come.

7:24 AM: Since Tuesday, we have mentioned the work under way at 30th/Roxbury by Roxhill Elementary as part of pedestrian-safety improvements. Bradi shared the photo at left and had a warning for others. She says she lost a tire because the crew left yesterday without putting warning signs back in their place, so: “Unable to know just how far the holes are extended out into the road on each side, that they have cut, I turned to go west onto Roxbury from 30th Ave SW, (which there isn’t a sign closing this street off at all, going south, that is visible), my passenger back tire dropped into the, what is at least, 1-foot-deep hole, that is left unmarked, which of course, popped it!” This may have been remedied by now, but if you travel in the area while the work’s under way, be extra careful in case it happens again. P.S. Since we share this number often – in case you run into (literally or figuratively) a road or sidewalk hazard, the hotline to report it to SDOT is 206-684-ROAD.

7:56 AM: We don’t know exactly why, but Chelsea tweeted “Don’t take lower Spokane bridge!” and pronounced it bad X 3. Nothing on scanner or 911 but – you’ve been warned.

8:38 AM – SPEAKING OF ROXBURY: Joe Szilagyi of the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council sends a reminder about the first of two meetings about the SW Roxbury safety project. WWRHAH and other local community advocates lobbied for it, and now it’s happening – but your input is VITAL. Tonight’s meeting is at 6:30 pm at the Wiley Community Center in White Center’s Greenbridge neighborhood, not even a block south of Roxbury, 9800 8th SW.

8:57 AM: As also noted in comments, the low-bridge trouble involves trucks – here’s an SDOT tweet with a grab from a camera turned that way:

Truck traffic unusually high on WS Bridge Harbor Island exit. pic.twitter.com/VBB1dMmrox

— seattledot (@seattledot) February 13, 2014

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
West Seattle doesn’t seem to be particularly hard-hit, but around the city, there are some spot power outages after a stormy night. On City Light’s map, there’s one spot around 41st/Southern in Gatewood, blamed on a tree. The National Weather Service has a “short-term forecast” in effect warning of gusts up to 45 mph in the hours ahead.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Work continues at 30th/Roxbury, as part of pedestrian-safety upgrades, and that means traffic restrictions, especially on the westbound side.

WEEKEND ALERT: Remember the northbound I-5 lane closures last month? Now it’s southbound I-5’s turn, and if you will be heading this way through downtown any time between Friday night and Monday morning, you should know about this.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The city has announced a multi-year traffic-safety project for 35th SW, along its entire stretch in West Seattle, Fauntleroy Way to SW Roxbury.

7:33 AM: City Light is working near the aforementioned 41st/Southern outage:

Neither street is an arterial, so the only traffic effects are in the neighborhood.