(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!

(Click image for larger view)
SDOT has just sent word that crews will be working at the five-way intersection under the bridge the next two weekends:

This weekend SDOT is preparing to implement a series of safety improvements at a West Seattle intersection.

The intersection is located below the West Seattle Bridge, where W Marginal Way SW, Chelan Ave SW, SW Spokane St and Delridge Way SW intersect. It is also where the Alki Trail connects with the West Seattle Bridge Trail. The intersection provides freight operators main access to the industrial district in West Seattle and the West Seattle Bridge.

Safety improvements include the restriping of crosswalks; the placement of green pavement markings indicating where people biking and driving cross paths; and the installation of a rapid flashing beacon at the south side of the intersection to increase the visibility of people accessing the trails. Crews have already begun work in the median island between Delridge Way SW and SW Spokane St to add a paved path for people waiting to walk or bike across Delridge Way SW. These safety improvements bring us closer to reaching our Vision Zero goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries, and once they are implemented it will be easier for everyone to travel through this area.

Construction activities are being divided over two weekends to help minimize traffic delays at this busy intersection. Weekend work activities are weather dependent and scheduled to conclude by Nov. 1. Traffic control will be in place both weekends and conducted in cooperation with the Seattle Police Department. Construction impacts include noise, dust, and minor delays due to lane restrictions while crews complete their work tasks. Questions about the project can be directed to 206-684-8105.

Improving this intersection has long been a goal for local transportation advocates; it also was discussed at the West Seattle Bridge-Duwamish Waterway Corridor “action report” meeting back on Monday night – here’s our report.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:47 AM: No incidents in our area so far today. Metro has tweeted two bus-trip cancellations so far this morning, and one was in West Seattle:

6:51 AM: And two more, this time with some advance warning:

7:33 AM: We’ve skipped Traffic Throwback Thursday for several weeks, for various reasons. This morning, it’s back. We have a then-and-now pair of views that represent a followup of sorts. In a September 29th story, we featured this historic aerial view from the Seattle Municipal Archives, looking west over Luna Park and beyond in 1962:

One commenter asked about a comparable current view from Gatewood pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen. He saw that comment and took time to provide this photo:

(Click image to see larger view)
Finally today, on a quiet-so-far Thursday, we have the chance to publish it.

7:52 AM: Back to today’s traffic – heads-up for southeastern West Seattle, from SDOT via Twitter:

8:13 AM: If you are headed this way from the north – you should know that two lanes are blocked on southbound I-5 at the exit to the westbound West Seattle Bridge, so 99 will be a better alternative until that’s cleared up.

8:46 AM: Two more problems: #1, mentioned in comments, there’s a port-truck backup. We heard a bit of that on the scanner but didn’t realize it was on this side – sounded closer to the downtown waterfront. #2, a crash is reported at 42nd/Findlay, and police and fire are heading that way.

9 AM: 42nd/Findlay is currently completely blocked, mostly by emergency vehicles.

No one appears to be seriously hurt.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:28 AM: No incidents in/from West Seattle so far this foggy morning. But the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state-ferry run is without its largest boat again; M/V Issaquah is out of service for repairs.

7:38 AM: Crash reported at Fauntleroy/Raymond, blocking the northbound side.

7:51 AM: Update from WSF: “The Issaquah is out of service until further notice due to necessary repairs. The route will continue to run on the 3-boat schedule without the Issaquah’s sailings until further notice as well. Currently, the 7:55 am from Southworth, 8:15 am from Vashon, 8:45 am from Fauntleroy, and 9:20 am from Southworth are cancelled.”

8:05 AM: Just checked the Fauntleroy/Raymond crash scene. The vehicles are off to the side, so no traffic effects, though the SPD vehicles in the center turn lane might be a bit of a distraction. No injuries reported.

If you usually access the West Seattle Bridge via Fauntleroy Way, and you’re planning on going off-peninsula this weekend, you might consider an alternate route because of these lane closures, just announced:

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is conducting roadway panel replacement on the West Seattle Bridge/Fauntleroy Way SW Expressway ramp heading eastbound and westbound. From Friday, October 23 at 7:00 pm to the evening of Sunday, October 25, crews will repair the roadway following an emergency sewer repair project in the same location. The inside eastbound and inside westbound lane will be closed during this time and drivers should allow extra time for their trips due to possible congestion in this area.

This work was originally scheduled for early October, then postponed.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:22 AM: After a quiet night, it’s routine on the traffic front this morning, in this area, so far.

ADDED 7:47 AM – DELRIDGE/HIGHLAND PARK GREENWAY UPDATE: Construction update from SDOT includes these key points:

… on the west side of 21st Ave SW between 22nd Ave SW and SW Dawson St, SDOT will prepare the sidewalk for widening. Temporary lane restrictions will be in effect, and flaggers will be stationed at either end of the work zone to direct traffic during work hours, 7 AM to 7 PM. Bus zones will not be affected.

This work will take 5-7 days to complete. Crews will return in two weeks to pour asphalt. Throughout this period, SDOT crews will also install speed humps on 21st Ave SW between 22nd Ave SW and SW Dawson St.

The installation of a new storm drain just north of where 22nd Ave SW merges with 21st Ave SW is now complete.

Crew will also begin installing curb ramps, curb extensions, a new crosswalk and a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) just south of where 22nd Ave SW merges with 21st Ave SW. An RRFB is a pedestrian – or bicycle – activated crossing signal that uses irregular flashes to alert drivers that a person is entering the crosswalk.

RRFBs are already up in several other West Seattle spots, from California/Dakota to the Boren school zone on Delridge.

8:46 AM: An SFD engine is headed to an aid call (low-level medical response) at 8th and Roxbury. We’re checking on traffic effects. (Update – NOT a traffic situation; somebody is being tended to on a bus bench.)

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:15 AM: Launching Monday’s traffic watch: So far, the routes through and from West Seattle are incident-free.

7:38 AM: Crash reported at 35th/Willow. No word yet how it’s affecting traffic. Engine 37 is on the scene.

7:44 AM: Reminder that TONIGHT is your chance to come talk about the West Seattle Bridge-Duwamish Waterway Corridor Action Plan, 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building (California/Oregon, best known as the home of the Senior Center of West Seattle). The plan, first reported here one month ago, includes 27 possibilities, big and small, for attempting to ease traffic in the area. Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who announced the meeting three weeks ago, is hosting and says SDOT will review the plan’s recommendations. What do YOU think the bridge and “corridor” need? Come talk about it tonight.

8:34 AM: Now a crash is reported at Delridge and Andover. And three SFD units are responding to a reported natural-gas leak at the Arbor Heights Elementary construction site at 3701 SW 104th.

8:49 AM: The SFD call for Delridge/Andover has closed.

9:53 AM: Just drove back from downtown after covering court hearings. Northbound 99/Viaduct still sluggish.