(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning and happy Friday! We start with an alert for today and weekend previews:

JUNCTION ROAD WORK: 42nd SW north of SW Alaska will be closed for road repairs most of today and tomorrow, per SDOT’s announcement published here Thursday.

OTHER ONGOING PROJECTS OF NOTE: Curb ramps at two Alki SW spots – info here … Murray CSO Control Project work at 48th/Beach Drive/Lincoln Park Way – info here … 47th/Admiral/Waite signal & crosswalks – info here.

SATURDAY – FESTIVALS: Though neither of these Saturday events involves road closures, remember the Morgan Junction Community Festival (10:30 am-6 pm) and Westwood Village Street Fair (10 am-6 pm) when you’re out and about tomorrow.

SUNDAY – FARMERS’ MARKET IN THE STREET: This Sunday will be the second one for the West Seattle Farmers’ Market in its new home, California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska. While market hours on Sundays are 10 am-2 pm, that block will be closed to parking and vehicle traffic 7 am-4 pm.

Seattle Police are investigating a crash at 16th and Kenyon (map). No major injuries reported – no medic unit dispatched – but officers at the scene just advised dispatchers that 16th will be closed both ways at the scene for a while.

42nd SW will be closed to through traffic north of SW Alaska for the next two days, SDOT just announced:

Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will restore pavement at 42th Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street following work on underground utilities at that location. They plan to start work at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) and to complete the work by 4 p.m. on Saturday.

During this work the crews will close 42nd Avenue SW north of SW Alaska Street. Local access will be permitted on the north end 42nd at SW Oregon Street. Also, the bus lane will be closed westbound on SW Alaska Street approaching 42nd Ave Southwest and just through the Intersection.

That “local” access will be primarily so you can get to businesses, including QFC, we verified with SDOT.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing unusual reported so far in today’s outbound commute.

CITYWIDE WEEKEND ROUNDUP: Now that we’re moving into summer-event season, SDOT takes its weekly look at what’s ahead around the city; this edition includes Saturday’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, though no street closures are involved. If you’ve been away or mega-busy, by the way, remember on Sunday that the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is now on California SW between Alaska and Oregon and that block is off-limits to vehicles 7 am-4 pm Sundays. (The debut drew more than three times as many people as usually attend, market management says!)

5 PM: Alki traffic alert – thanks to Suzanne for info on the crash, and the photo:

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Quiet commute so far. Two alerts to mention:

ALKI SW RAMP WORK: SDOT announced yesterday that you’ll see work crews installing two curb ramps at crossings on Alki Ave. SW over the span of about a week and a half, starting today.

47TH/ADMIRAL/WAITE SIGNAL & CROSSWALKS: If you’re traveling through this area, you might have to pause as the final phase of work intensifies, as noted here on Tuesday.

9:09 AM: Traffic still sludgingly slow, per commenters … no incidents on the 911 log or scanner.

(Photo courtesy Raquel – substituted for earlier traffic-camera image)
4:17 PM: Big emergency response on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge by 4th Avenue South – closing all but the exit lane at that spot. More to come.

4:22 PM: Police are going to try to divert people off at 1st Avenue South but we’ve just heard from Erica, who passed the crash going the other way, and says it looks like multiple vehicles involved as well as one car that’s on its side, and there’s already an eastbound backup. (Here’s an earlier view, tweeted by SDOT:)

4:26 PM: Emergency vehicles are also in one westbound lane parallel with 4th, so if you’re planning on getting to the westbound bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill, this could be a problem.

(Photo courtesy Brian Baum)
4:44 PM: That westbound lane is clear, but the eastbound lanes remain blocked at 4th, with everybody forced to get off the bridge at 1st Avenue South.

4:51 PM: Per scanner, police are hoping to have one lane – likely the outside lane – open shortly. But even with most of the commute going the other way, that still will mean big backups.

4:57 PM: And here it is, one lane open:

Don’t take the low bridge as a backup any time soon – also via scanner, it’s going to swing open soon for “a large boat” to get through.

5:27 PM: The bridge is fully open again, after about an hour and 10 minutes.

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: SPD confirms something we thought we had heard on the scanner – the 32-year-old driver had at least one warrant out for his arrest. They also confirm an “active DUI investigation” in the case. We are also asking SFD for any final information about injuries and will add whatever we learn there.

The :15 video panorama shows you what’s happening at the 47th/Admiral/Waite crosswalk project today, as the final phase of work intensifies. A bit dusty (and this part of the work had eastbound traffic stopped while we were there):

SDOT had announced about a week ago that the signal equipment had arrived, so the final phase of installing it and marking crosswalks around the intersection would launch. Thanks to everybody who messaged us about the stepped-up work today!

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy last day of school to Seattle Public Schools students! No problems reported in the outbound commute so far. Two notes:

BEACH DRIVE/LINCOLN PARK WAY/48TH: The major work previewed in last Friday’s alert had not begun as of end-of-day Monday, and we saw no signs of staging, but will check again today.

(Added 8:55 am – that’s a Monday aerial of the project – and, at lower right, the inland side of Lowman Beach Park – just received from West Seattle pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen.)

SEACREST BOAT LAUNCH REPLACEMENT: Part of the parking lot at Seacrest will be closed again today during work to replace the small boat launch, announced last week. We noted a crane had arrived by end of day Monday.

7:31 AM: While covering the Polar Pioneer departure, we’ve also been keeping an eye on traffic as always. Keeping this short unless there’s an incident to report – you’ll find the cameras here; please also remember the Beach Drive/Lincoln Park Way/48th SW alert starting today.

8:19 AM: Just went through the aforementioned area – the street-cutting work hasn’t started yet, no sign of staging, either, just a couple concrete trucks on the south end of Beach Drive.

7:39 AM: Traffic reminder before we get to today’s other highlights: The northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed, and scheduled to stay that way until 3:30 pm (we’ll update if it reopens earlier), because of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/Half Marathon. See the full citywide closure list here.

4:04 PM: As pointed out in comments, 99 reopened an hour ago.

4:06 PM: Thought this one would be clear by peak pm commute, but it isn’t yet, so: A crash is blocking the right lane of the westbound bridge, Spokane Street Viaduct section, right by the 1st Avenue South ramps and Harbor Island exit. Scanner-monitored discussion seems to indicate tow availability is an issue. So if you are heading this way sometime soon, southbound 99 might be a better bet than anything to the east of it.

4:51 PM UPDATE: The traffic camera has been turned, so we can’t see the original scene, but checking other cameras, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct seems to be moving OK. However, we’ve just heard police dispatched to the Marginal/Chelan/Delridge/etc. intersection for this afternoon’s anti-Shell protest. Can’t tell from the SDOT cameras what’s happening there (except that police are just arriving, and then going out of frame); we’re on the way to check it out.

5 PM: Also happening now: A mid-level SFD response on Bradford west of Avalon. They’re handling a deck fire.

5:25 PM: The fire response is way uphill from Avalon toward the Bradford dead-end, not affecting traffic. We also have just passed the five-ways intersection; police and a few demonstrators, one with a megaphone, are visible, and westbound traffic on West Marginal is backed up to a block south of the bridges.

5:35 PM: Passing back westbound 10 minutes later – the demonstrators aren’t there any more; a group of bicycle officers are under the flyover a short way north off the spur of West Marginal.

5:42 PM: TW pointed out in comments that RapidRide C Line is running slow; Metro has just texted to blame “traffic.” No further elaboration.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! It’s been quiet outbound, so far. Looking ahead:

THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING: As mentioned here, “Shell No” protesters say they will be back at Chelan/Marginal/etc. 4-6 pm.

SATURDAY: 5 am-3:30 pm, northbound Highway 99 will be closed from south of West Seattle to north of the Battery Street Tunnel for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/Half-Marathon, along with other closures.

SUNDAY: The West Seattle Farmers’ Market moves into its new home, California SW between Alaska and Oregon (see the vendor map here). Hours remain the same, 10 am-2 pm; no parking/vehicles on that block 7 am-4 pm. The 44th/Alaska lot, previously home to the market, will be open for parking. … Also on Sunday, Washington State Ferries‘ summer schedule takes effect.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
So far, nothing out of the ordinary reported in the outbound commute.

SATURDAY CLOSURE ON NORTHBOUND 99: Daily reminder that northbound Highway 99, including the Alaskan Way Viaduct, from south of West Seattle to lower Queen Anne, is one of the roads around the area Saturday that will be closed to vehicles during the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/Half Marathon. The 99 closure is scheduled for 5 am-3:30 pm Saturday. See all marathon-related area closures here.

7:33 AM: The return of Traffic Throwback Thursday: Can you place this 1955 view described as “30th and Avalon slide”? Looks like an eastward view toward what’s now Nucor.

Click the picture to see a Seattle Municipal Archives page with a larger version of the image.

7:42 AM: If you’re heading this way from north of downtown soon – Southbound 99 has a problem:

A crash also is reported on northbound 4th Avenue S. at Spokane – the SFD response is closed so it might not be a long-running problem.

8:03 AM: SDOT just tweeted that the scene on NB 4th Avenue S. is clear and all lanes are open. The southbound Battery St. Tunnel is NOT, yet.

8:15 AM: And now the southbound Battery St. Tunnel **is** open again, per SDOT. The surface is wet, though. There was some confusion about whether the NB side had been affected; Marco tweeted that while signage suggested it was, it was NOT, and remained open through this.

8:24 AM – ANOTHER WEEKEND NOTE: Haven’t mentioned this yet but Sunday brings the summer-schedule change for Washington State Ferries.

8:25 AM: The “low bridge” has closed to vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians so that vessel(s) can pass. If you didn’t already know this – the closures and reopenings are all noted on the @SDOTbridges Twitter account, as is this one.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:12 AM: As the heart of today’s morning commute approaches, nothing unusual is reported in or from our area so far.

7:24 AM: Two notes – reminder that if you travel Delridge Way past the Boren Building next hour, you might see something related to SDOT director Scott Kubly‘s visit to promote safety. We’re not exactly sure yet what form it’ll take but we’ll be there to report. And another reminder that the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct, from south of West Seattle to lower Queen Anne, is one of the roads around the area Saturday that will be closed to vehicles during the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/Half Marathon. The 99 closure is scheduled for 5 am-3:30 pm Saturday. See the full area closure list here.

7:55 AM: Texter says a police officer on the bridge is “waving random people over.” Can’t help but wonder if it’s part of the aforementioned SDOT safety event … let us know if you were among the “random” people waved over. We’re in a backup on Avalon, in the meantime, checking something out while on the way to the event on Delridge.

8:05 AM: Never mind – via Twitter, people who’ve seen this say it’s just the usual patrol for bus-lane violators. No camera pointed in that direction right now. Meantime, we’re still heading eastbound, currently in the Andover-to-Delridge queue.

8:12 AM: SDOT’s camera on the five-way intersection isn’t working this morning, so we’ve just gone by to doublecheck the presumed absence of protesters. None in sight; today’s backups just seem to be “regular” backups.

8:18 AM: Headed southbound on Delridge, we stopped at a corner where a woman waited to cross with a baby in a stroller. **Ten cars passed by northbound, nobody stopped.** We waved our arms out the window trying to get the attention of the northbound drivers. Somebody southbound even went around us in the center turn lane. Why would you not stop for two minutes to let the woman and baby cross the street?

8:31 AM: Now at the Boren Building, where the event actually involves both schools housed here (the media advisory had only mentioned Arbor Heights, but STEM kids are here too).

They’re not actually stopping people on Delridge but rather in the parking lot pulling up to the south entrance of the building. Swag bags branded Vision Zero (which the advisory said are “grant-funded”) are being distributed. The $5 coffee cards mentioned in the original advisory are for Starbucks. We’re listening in as Kubly quizzes kids about safety know-how. Crosswalk refreshers seem in order. This school building will get two new crosswalks soon, by the way – one midblock going to the main entrance, one on the south end at Graham.

9:07 AM: Thanks to the texter who just sent word of a crash on Sylvan Way by Home Depot – blocking “uphill and the turn lane,” they report. One SFD unit just dispatched.

11:07 AM: Thanks to the texter who just tipped us that the 10:40 ferry from Vashon to Fauntleroy is running late because of a medical issue involving a passenger. Vessel Watch says it’s expected to dock around 11:13 am.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:14 AM: Again this morning, protesters are back on the road to Terminal 5 west of the low bridge; SDOT reports “minimal impact to general traffic at this time.” Also of note from SDOT – if you use 1st Avenue South, road work has closed the left lane just north of Spokane Street.

TONIGHT: Congratulations to the WSHS Class of 2015, graduating tonight at 6 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex – so things will be busy in that area.

SATURDAY VIADUCT CLOSURE REMINDER: We’ll be reminding you daily; northbound Highway 99, from south of West Seattle to lower Queen Anne, is one of the roads that’ll be closed around the area Saturday for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/Half Marathon. The 99 closure is scheduled for 5 am-3:30 pm Saturday. See the full list here.

7:30 AM: We’ve gotten some texts about a big Seattle Police presence by the Delridge Community Center:

This is NOT about any incident in that area – it’s staging for the aforementioned protest, and more of the units headed out toward Terminal 5 as our crew stopped to check on the situation. For the past few days of protests, the response has mostly involved bicycles, but as you can see in our photo, this time a sizable number of squad cars are involved too, and you might want to pre-emptively avoid the North Delridge and vicinity approach to the low bridge until we see where all this is going.

7:57 AM: More police are arriving in the protest vicinity at Spokane/Marginal/Delridge/Chelan.

8:10 AM: Here’s an overview from Russ, looking north from the Alki Trail toward the protest zone.

One group of protesters who had been chained together, blocking part of a road, has gotten up and moved. Police are going to each group and warning them they’ll be arrested if they don’t move.

So far, we’ve seen two groups who moved on voluntarily. Russ also sends this view from further east:

8:30 AM: We asked members of the protest group if they planned to be back this afternoon (as they were yesterday). They said no – their focus is on the Port Commission meeting (1 pm, downtown waterfront).

8:37 AM: The situation at and near Terminal 5 may be winding down. Via scanner, police report “unhooking” the protesters who were blocking the flyover ramp from the low bridge.

8:56 AM: Definitely winding down; many of the extra officers have departed and the protester presence on the ground was down to the self-described “Grannies.”

9:23 AM: Traffic problem unrelated to the protest – stalled dump truck on the high bridge:

Thanks to the texter who sent that photo (from the passenger seat, they point out!). This is mentioned in comments, too. No info on how long it’ll take to clear.

9:49 AM: Via scanner, we hear police working on getting that truck cleared.

10:02 AM: SDOT says it’s cleared. Moving on to other news; thanks as always for tips, info, photos – so long as you can safely/legally call/text/send (as a passenger, or a bystander, or after you get to your destination), 206-293-6302, any time, 24/7.

2:18 PM: Postscript on morning protests – we called SPD to doublecheck after seeing at least one regional-media organization report that people were arrested toward the end. SPD spokesperson Det. Drew Michaud says no one was arrested; the six who were taken into custody were interviewed and released, *not* arrested.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:45 AM: Good morning! The new week is off and running. Notes and reminders:

NEW METRO SCHEDULE: Changes, additions, and restorations took effect on Saturday. (Here again is our list of the key West Seattle points.)

47TH/ADMIRAL SIGNAL, FINAL PHASE: Could start as soon as today, per SDOT’s announcement last week; we’ll be checking.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT SATURDAY: Road closures on Highway 99 as part of the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon. Northbound 99 is set to be closed 5 am-3:30 pm from S. Hudson (which is south of the West Seattle Bridge) to Roy St. (lower Queen Anne) – here’s the full list of closures.

7:33 AM: As the “Shell No” group had demonstrated at Marginal/Spokane again on Saturday and mentioned plans for today on its website, we just went by to check – nobody in view as of 7:30 am. Another note: Fog on the water, and we just heard a foghorn sounding from the Fauntleroy ferry dock vicinity, so if you’re traveling by water this morning, might be some effects.

(SCROLL DOWN for updates on protest near T-5)

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:39 AM: Good morning. We start the day with word that the entrance to the bridge on Delridge Way is or has been affected by anti-Shell protesters (thanks for the text). We had mentioned here earlier this week that “land blockades” were promised starting today; one subsequent update had said protesters would be gathering at Delridge Community Center Park this morning and heading toward Terminal 5 right about now. Per what we’re hearing on the scanner, police are with them. We’re on our way to find out more.

6:58 AM UPDATE: We’re on scene; about 30 protesters are blocking West Marginal on the north side of Spokane, the side that leads to Terminal 5, not in the eastbound direction.

This is NOT currently affecting travel unless you are T-5 bound. Note that you are likely to see/hear TV helicopters in the area as they get word of this.

(Also note, looking ahead, as we reported on Wednesday, a nighttime demonstration flotilla is planned off Don Armeni tonight.)

7:22 AM UPDATE: We’re continuing to monitor the rest of the commute, too, and it’s quiet so far. Meantime, the West Marginal protest on the north side of Spokane St. (east of Chelan Café) continues. Organizers had said this weekend is pivotal because the Shell vessels could leave for the Arctic as soon as next week. They also have protests scheduled Saturday and Monday.

7:47 AM: The five-way intersection there is important as a bicycle route to the low bridge.

Our crew confirms that bicycle riders are getting through just fine, too (photo added, above).

8:15 AM: The group is now heading BACK south onto Delridge; bicycle and motorcycle police are accompanying them to try to keep roads from being blocked. So if you’re heading toward the bridge via Delridge, you might consider waiting a bit.

8:43 AM: All clear now. Potential repeat this afternoon according to this Facebook event page.

4:01 PM: Protesters were planning to gather near the west end of the low bridge to strategize about possibly trying to blockade Terminal 5 before a shift that they say starts at 4:30 pm. Police on bicycles were spotted heading that way about an hour ago. We’ll have a separate story IF anything happens affecting general traffic. Otherwise, check back here.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Two reminders as we start this morning’s watch:

IF YOU’RE BICYCLING TODAY … take a few minutes to stop at the weekly West Seattle Cyclery Tent just west of the low bridge, where you’ll find not only Brad from WSC with coffee and support but also Mike from AAA (WSB sponsor) with info about the American Lung Association-benefiting Ride Around the Sound, 6:30-9:30 am.

IF YOU USE METRO … a reminder that big changes kick in on Saturday; here’s our breakdown of how West Seattle routes will be affected.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:14 AM: Good morning! Another routine commute so far. One note for later: It’s an early-dismissal day for Seattle Public Schools – students will be out two hours earlier than usual.

7:41 AM: If you use 4th Avenue to get into downtown – SDOT reports “police activity” has blocked a lane at Main in Pioneer Square.

8:08 AM: SDOT says that’s clear. No other problems between here and downtown right now.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:29 AM: Good morning! Quiet again so far this morning. We’ll update if that changes. Since our Monday traffic watch, one advance alert has come in:

47th/ADMIRAL SIGNAL UPDATE: After a stopdown while awaiting delivery of the signal equipment, the final phase of work is likely to start next week, SDOT announced:

As soon as Monday, June 8, work will resume at the intersection of 47th Avenue SW and SW Admiral Way. … We anticipate approximately 3-4 more weeks of construction while the signal is installed and configured. After we receive the signal equipment, crews will:
· Install signal equipment including poles and mast arms, signal heads and cabinets
· Stripe the intersection with new crosswalks and a new left-turn pocket on SW Admiral Way
· Remove the existing overhead pedestrian signal
· Complete remaining landscaping

When construction resumes, residents, businesses, and travelers can expect the following impacts:
· Construction activity from 7 AM – 4 PM
· Pedestrian and bicycle detours around the work areas
· Temporary parking and lane restrictions on 47th Avenue SW, SW Admiral Way and SW Waite Street
· Noise and activity from construction equipment and vehicles

ADDED 8:16 AM: Still quiet, per all the sources we monitor (scanner, transportation/public-safety agencies on Twitter, incoming messaging channels). One more reminder: If you want to tell the City Council something about the proposed Transportation Levy as it stands now, a special evening public hearing is set for 5:30 tonight at City Hall downtown – more info here.

8:34 AM: Transit alert – Metro has just sent a text alert that “the last Route 55 trip from 44th SW and SW Atlantic (scheduled for) 8:17 am is delayed about 30-40 minutes.”

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:02 AM: Good morning. Nothing out of the ordinary through/from West Seattle so far.

9:31 AM NOTE: And it stayed that way. The rain’s back, though.