1:14 PM: Per scanner, and thanks to the texter who tipped us, SDOT and SPD will be closing eastbound bridge access from 35th/Fauntleroy shortly to fix another dislocated barrier section, described as being near Walking On Logs.

1:25 PM: Traffic is stopped both ways by the worksite so the barrier can be fixed. Doesn’t sound like it will take too long.

1:34 PM: SDOT says the bridge has reopened both ways.

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:48 AM: The morning starts with a rollover crash on I-5 in downtown Seattle. It’s on the southbound side, at the Convention Center, blocking three lanes, but there’s likely some related slowdown on the northbound side too.

6:57 AM: With no major injuries reported, emergency responders have moved the flipped car off to the side, leaving only one southbound HOV lane blocked.

VETERANS DAY TOMORROW: Advance reminder that tomorrow’s a holiday, with schools closed, which will change transportation conditions.

DELRIDGE/HIGHLAND PARK GREENWAY UPDATE: This project continues in eastern West Seattle; the project team sent this update late yesterday:

Crews have installed curb ramps, curb extensions and a new crosswalk just south of where 22nd Ave SW merges with 21st Ave SW. Beginning this week, crew will pour concrete sidewalks on the east side of 21st Ave SW. Additional construction at this intersection will include preparing the west side of the intersection for curb ramps, curb extensions and sidewalk widening. Weather permitting, this work is expected to take two weeks.

Beginning as early as November 16, crews will begin preparing the site at 15th Ave SW and SW Holden St for curb ramp and curb installations, painting the crosswalks on the east and west side of the intersection, and installing pedestrian flashing beacons on either side of the crosswalks. Weather permitting, this work is expected to take three weeks to complete.

Lots of project info can be found here.

7:31 AM: Text tip (206-293-6302) says there’s water gushing onto the road in the 4800 block of W. Marginal Way SW, and cars are going too fast as they hit it.

7:53 AM: WSF says the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route has reduced capacity today while the Issaquah is out for maintenance.

7:55 AM: Commenters are saying same thing as this tweet:

No alert via text or tweet. Metro said yesterday that the trip cancellation – much-discussed in Monday’s “Traffic/Transit Today” comments – came too late for warning.

8:14 AM: Commenter on a recent orca-sighting story reports, “A big pod of killer whales just showed off for the passengers on the 7:50 ferry to Southworth! Huge pod going south!” Don’t know if that means south into the west or east passage around Vashon Island, but we are now alerted to orcas in the area – keep watch and let us know if you see them!

8:35 AM: Heads up for freeway work overnight tonight, near the West Seattle Bridge exit from southbound I-5:

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:14 AM: No major incidents on the routes through/from West Seattle right now, but if you use 4th Avenue to get into downtown, be advised there’s a crash at Royal Brougham Way – SDOT says it’s on the southbound side, but that still could cause some slow going until it’s cleared.

ALERTS: Morgan Junction sidewalk work is set to continue today – here’s our coverage from Thursday, when it began; right now crews are on the north end of the block, west side of California, just south of Fauntleroy, but the businesses ARE open – and the ones in this building all have access from the lot behind the building … Thanks to the texter who told us about weekend work that closed 21st SW near Sanislo Elementary; we’re checking on its status today.

7:57 AM: The 4th Ave. crash is cleared. Still no other incidents reported along WS commuters’ main routes.

8:17 AM: In comments, we have two reports of Route 57 missing a trip. No text or tweet alerts from Metro in this area so far this morning. And this is also from a Route 57 rider, via Twitter:

Also tweeted, C Line trouble – no bus at 7:45, says Nate, and then:

Metro had acknowledged when we visited the local “bases” for this story that not all missed trips were resulting in alerts. So please keep letting us know what you’re experiencing, so we can keep track for followups – on weekdays, commenting here on the daily traffic/transit story is ideal, but you can also e-mail us at editor@westseattleblog.com.

12:33 PM: Metro explains via Twitter:

2:54 PM: Two traffic alerts right now as of just before 3 pm – we’re getting multiple reports of a backup on the westbound high bridge – apparently a lane closure without warning, but SDOT says it’ll be reopened shortly. Meantime, the Battery Street Tunnel has been closed both ways for a crash response.

3:01 PM: SDOT says the lane closure was for “maintenance.” Meantime – not related so far as we know – the BSTunnel remains closed TFN.

7:03 PM NOTE: The tunnel did finally fully reopen by 5:30.

11:07 AM: If you have to use the eastbound bridge, be forewarned that the Fauntleroy entrance is backed up right now (11:07 am) for repairs. They’re fixing a barrier section knocked out by an earlier collision.

11:51 AM: The repairs are complete and it’s OK to use the Fauntleroy Way entrance to the eastbound bridge again. Thanks to those who reported this via text – 206-293-6302 any time.

Via Twitter, SDOT just published an alert about road work closing the left lane on the eastbound bridge at Delridge. We don’t know how long it’s going to last – SDOT confirmed it’s “unplanned” work – but will watch for updates (and you can too, at twitter.com/seattledot). Right now, as we publish this at 10:08 am, the camera above, looking west at the eastbound side, is showing the work crew.

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:43 AM: We start with a transit alert, first one tweeted for a West Seattle trip cancellation in a while:

MORGAN JUNCTION SIDEWALK PROJECT: Today will be the second day of sidewalk work on the west side of California SW south of Fauntleroy. The businesses remain open and accessible.

7:33 AM: Still no incidents through/from West Seattle. So here’s a transportation-news note: SDOT is redesigning its website. If you use it and have some suggestions of what you’d like to see changed/added/etc., the city has a survey for you, and a focus-group invitation.

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:05 AM: As we head for the heart of the commute, a problem on NB I-5 downtown – a crash in the collector-distributor lanes at James Street – has just cleared, but as always, there’ll be residual backup.

7:52 AM: Different kind of “commuter alert” for Vashon ferry riders – orca sighting! That’s our second report that some orcas are heading south between Vashon and Lincoln Park right now. Publishing a separate update shortly.

12:07 PM: If you’re on the peninsula today, we’d advise avoiding California south of Edmunds – road is narrowed because of crews working on it, and it’ll take you a while to get through – we saw backups in big directions and, while headed northbound toward The Junction, managed to duck onto westbound Hudson to get around it. These types of projects don’t usually get preceded with alerts so if you see anything major, please let us know so we can share the word – we don’t always happen onto them as we did this one.

More expansion-joint trouble on southbound I-5 just north of the West Seattle Bridge, so WSDOT has just issued this alert:

If you’ll be heading this way from points north during those hours, you’ll probably want to use another route, such as SB 99.

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:20 AM: No outbound incidents but if you are headed southbound toward West Seattle – don’t take I-5 – WSDOT is doing emergency joint repairs right by the WS Bridge, and that’s led to a mega-backup. WSDOT tells us the work is north of the eastbound bridge exit to southbound I-5, so it should NOT affect people exiting from the eastbound bridge.

8:57 AM: The repairs are complete, according to WSDOT. But it’ll take some time for the double-digit-mile backup to clear out, so travel in this direction from downtown northward is still a better bet on alternate routes.

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
No incidents in/from West Seattle so far this morning.

ELECTION DAY: You’re likely to see signwaving along your commute route – today’s Election Day, aka voting-deadline day; get your ballot in by tonight (best way to guarantee it’ll count is to get it to a drop spot by 8 pm).

7:48 AM: Very localized showers out there – we went through one that lasted about four blocks.

8:17 AM: As commenters point out, slow going everywhere. Also, for the second day in a row, a texter reports a jackknifed bus in the Brace Point/Endolyne intersection.

9:08 AM: Just went by; bus cleared.

11:00 AM: Still showery weather. Here’s the Instagram video we mentioned in comments, from around 8:20 this morning:

(Mouse over the image to bring up the “play” button so you can click it. Instagram clips are :15 max, and in most cases loop, so you’ll have to click the image again to stop it.)

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:17 AM: There’s a crash response at Fauntleroy/Avalon – not sure yet how it’s affecting traffic there (if at all); the initial SFD response was big but closed fast. We’re en route to look.

7:35 AM: Whatever it was, it’s gone – our crew’s not seeing anything except the usual heavy morning traffic.

8:25 AM: Thanks for the tips on a jack-knifed Metro bus that’s causing trouble in Fauntleroy’s Endolyne area, right by the mini-business district there:

(Thanks to James Bratsanos for that photo.)

12:21 PM: The closure is because of a crash on the bridge parallel with Admiral Way. It’s only affecting the Fauntleroy entrance – you can get on the eastbound bridge from the Admiral/Avalon/Spokane and Delridge ramps. Thanks to Jonathan for the texted tip! (And this photo:)

12:28 PM: Per scanner, police are hoping to have one eastbound lane open soon, so everybody stuck behind this shouldn’t be stuck too much longer. But some cleanup/repairs will be needed too – apparently the crash knocked out part of the barrier.

12:41 PM: The lane has reopened, so the bridge entrance has too, but it might be slow going for a while.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents in the area so far this morning.

BIG WEEKEND REMINDER, AGAIN: Saturday and Sunday, 6 am-6 pm each day, WSDOT plans to close the Alaskan Way Viaduct for its semiannual inspection – the closure will stretch from the West Seattle Bridge to the Battery Street Tunnel.

7:51 AM: Still quiet. Reminder that Halloween happenings are about to get going in a big way – they’re listed in our Halloween Guide, including Admiral District Trick-or-Treating 3-6 pm Friday. (Forecast sounds as if rainproof costumes, or at least umbrellas, will be in order, maybe a rain cover for the treat totes too …)

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:30 AM: Good morning! We start with reminders and previews:

SHORT SCHOOL DAY: Classes end two hours early today for students in Seattle Public Schools, so watch for buses, walkers, riders, and earlier-than-usual flashing beacons.

SOUNDERS FC TONIGHT: Playoff game vs. LA at CenturyLink Field, 7 pm. No extended West Seattle Water Taxi service, since the WT is now on its winter schedule.

HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: This Saturday and Sunday, Highway 99 will close 6 am-6 pm each day between the West Seattle Bridge and the Battery Street Tunnel for its twice-yearly inspection, as well as some other work (including testing of the repaired fire-suppression system in the BSTunnel).

9:13 AM: Quiet morning commute in/from West Seattle, but now Eddie reports a jack-knifed Route 55 bus at 44th/Alaska. We are on the way to find out more.

9:20 AM: Just as our photographer arrived, the bus cleared the intersection.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:12 AM: Metro says delays related to a crash downtown, in which a bus hit a pedestrian – who was not seriously hurt – are subsiding. No other incidents affecting this area so far.

FERRY REMINDER: M/V Salish continues on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run in place of the twice-the-vehicle-capacity M/V Issaquah, so delays are continuing.

SHORT SCHOOL DAY TOMORROW: Seattle Public Schools students have an early-release day tomorrow (Wednesday), and will be out two hours earlier than usual.

WEEKEND REMINDERS: Next Saturday and Sunday, the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed 6 am-6 pm each day for its twice-yearly inspection. And Saturday night is also when we’ll “fall back” an hour for the end of Daylight Saving Time.

8:10 AM: SDOT’s traffic center says an aid response on SW Morgan at Lanham might cause some delays. No word whether it’s eastbound or westbound.

8:54 AM: Some hope for the ferry run returning to normal soon:

If you’re headed toward the Fauntleroy ferry dock (or beyond) from points north any time soon, take note that southbound Fauntleroy Way is blocked in the 7100 block, by The Kenney (WSB sponsor), after what looks like a two-car crash. No serious injuries and so Engine 37 is getting ready to leave, but we’re not sure how long it’ll take before the crashed vehicles are cleared.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning and welcome to a brand-new week. No incidents in or from West Seattle, but after a stormy night, things are reported to be slow out there.

VIADUCT CLOSURE NEXT WEEKEND: We’ll be reminding you daily – the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s next twice-yearly inspection closure is next weekend, 6 am-6 pm each day, Saturday (October 31st) and Sunday (November 1st).

ADDED 7:40 AM – STATE FERRY ALERT: Also a reminder of what we reported last night – M/V Salish has replaced M/V Issaquah on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run because the latter vessel has mechanical trouble again, and that means reduced capacity, because the Salish holds about half the vehicles the Issaquah does.

Before we get to today’s calendar highlights, these reminders:

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HARVEST FESTIVAL: The Sunday road closures in The Junction are expanded today because of the Harvest Festival – SW Alaska between 42nd and 44th, California SW between Oregon and Edmunds. The festival itself runs the same hours as the Farmers’ Market (which is part of it), 10 am-2 pm, but the closures have already begun and will continue until everything’s broken down in late afternoon.

ROAD WORK: City crews were expected to continue work today on the 5-way intersection safety improvements west of the low bridge and on the surface repairs toward the Fauntleroy end of the high bridge (please let us know if you go through either of these areas and discover the work has ended early).

NEXT WEEKEND – ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT INSPECTION: And while we’re talking weekend traffic alerts, remember that NEXT weekend (Saturday and Sunday, October 31st-November 1st) is the next twice-yearly Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closure, scheduled for 6 am-6 pm each day.

First, (update) THREE traffic alerts:

That’s the Fauntleroy end of the high bridge, where Seattle Public Utilities is scheduled to be doing road repair all weekend following recent sewer work. The second traffic alert is for the 5-way intersection just west of the low bridge, where crews are working this weekend and next on safety improvements, as described and shown here. (3rd alert added 9:27 am; thanks to Kim) Also – 34th SW is closed near High Point Community Center for paving work.

Now, on to the event highlights, in two sets, starting with WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide listings, as the first of this year’s two Hallo-weekends continues:

WEST SEATTLE MONSTER DASH: Get your costume on and get to the Monster Dash in Lincoln Park. 9 am 5K, 10 am kids’ dash, 10:30 am awards and costume contest. More info in our listing. (Fauntleroy/Cloverdale)

PCC PUMPKIN-DECORATING PARTY: 9 am-noon at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor). PCC provides the pumpkins for the 12-and-under participants as well as and decorating supplies. (California SW & SW Stevens)

THRIFTWAY HALLOWEEN PARTY: Annual kids’ party at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 11 am-1 pm. Ages 1-10 – decorate a mini-pumpkin, get the chance to win a treat bag, more! (Fauntleroy/Morgan/California)

OLG HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: 4-8 pm, it’s the annual carnival presented by Our Lady of Guadalupe School in the Walmesley Center. Details in our calendar listing. (35th SW & SW Myrtle)

HAUNTED HOUSE: Haunted House presented by Clown Mania, 7-9 pm. (5007 Erskine Way)

Other highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

CLEANUP PARTY: Join Seattle’s Tree Ambassadors 9 am-noon to clean up the triangle at 36th/Genesee/Fauntleroy. Tools, gloves, training provided. Treats from businesses across the street – coffee and snacks from West Seattle Brewing; barbecue lunch afterward from Jones BBQ. More info here.

CARAVAN PACIFIC TRUNK SHOW: 10 am-5 pm at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction: “Shannon Guirl, the designer / maker behind Portland-based Caravan Pacific, will be bringing her full collection of handmade lighting and home accessories for a one-day trunk show.” (4540 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE SKI/SNOWBOARD SWAP: Get ready for winter before it gets here. Day 1 runs 10 am-6 pm at the VFW Hall in The Triangle – details here. (3601 SW Alaska)

SEATTLE WRITES: GET READY FOR NANOWRIMO: National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is eight days away. Get ready with a free class at 3:30 pm at the High Point Library – registration required, so check our listing ASAP. (35th SW & SW Raymond)

OKTOBERFEST X 2: Two West Seattle service organizations invite you to Oktoberfest fundraising dinner events tonight. 5:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California SW & SW Oregon), it’s the WS Lions‘ Oktoberfest; 6 pm at the Alki Masonic Hall (40th SW & SW Edmunds), it’s the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Oktoberfest.

PEGGY LEE TRIBUTE: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)

BAKELIGHT 78: 9 pm live music, no cover, 21+, at Parliament Tavern. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:05 AM: One incident of note as we start this morning’s traffic watch – a stalled vehicle partly blocking one lane on northbound I-5 near Seneca St. No outbound incidents otherwise, so far.

On the transit front, we have had two Metro trip cancellations announced via alerts/tweets so far – this one just in:

And also the Route 56 cancellation for 6:29 am, announced with just a few minutes of lead time. Last night, we published our story about Metro’s driver shortage, which it hopes will be alleviated soon.

7:09 AM: Quick resolution to the I-5 stall – the vehicle has moved on.

WEEKEND ROAD-WORK ALERTS: Two you should know about – first, the Fauntleroy end of the bridge will have one lane closed each way starting sometime tonight, for repairs, as announced here. Second, the 5-way intersection just west of the low bridge will be getting safety improvements this weekend and next, as announced here.

7:14 AM: If you’re heading toward the 1st Avenue S. Bridge – WSDOT reports a crash in the left lane of NB Highway 509 just north of Cloverdale.

ANOTHER WEEKEND ALERT – HARVEST FESTIVAL ON SUNDAY: By now, after four months, you’re used to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market closing California SW between Oregon and Alaska from 10 am-2 pm on Sundays. But this Sunday is different: The Junction street closures will be expanded for the annual Harvest Festival (as they have been for the past three years, resembling the Summer Fest footprint, including Alaska between 42nd and 44th and California south of Alaska), with “harvest activities” (including other businesses and nonprofits) 10 am-2 pm, the chili competition on the southwest corner of California/Alaska at 11 am, the costume parade from Junction Plaza Park (SW corner of 42nd SW & SW Alaska) at 11:30 am, and business trick-or-treating at noon. See you there!