(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.

Nothing unusual in the area as we begin, but there’s a weather update – the National Weather Service no longer has a storm alert up for the city, just some other parts of Western Washington. Above and below, the two main cameras for the bridge:

And here’s the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct:

More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page.

Transportation news last night, in case you missed it: The state says repairs to the Highway 99 tunneling machine “will take months,” no matter which way its contractor decides to approach fixing it.

Earlier Monday, the King County Council took the first step toward sending a Metro/roads-funding measure to voters by creating a Transportation Benefit District, explained here. During that same meeting, councilmembers put on hold for two weeks their vote on the first round of cuts Metro would make if funding isn’t found, from voters or the state.

TONIGHT: All are welcome at the West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting, 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way).

7:02 PM NOTE: If you were wondering what was happening on Alki earlier this evening – crash at 54th/Alki SW – photo courtesy Cami:

The Seattle Fire response closed fairly soon, and the incident classification suggested no serious injuries, but Alki SW was blocked for a while.

(Live West Seattle Bridge view via SDOT; more traffic cams here)
Happy Monday! You might still have some slushy snow in the yard or around the sidewalk, but the streets should be OK this morning, with the temperature above freezing and expected to stay that way. If you weren’t around for the Saturday night snow and Sunday aftermath, just scroll on down the WSB home page for countless scenes … fun and not-so-fun. Now, on with the new week…

Thanks for the tips – if you’re heading eastbound, you might not be able to exit onto northbound 99 because of a multiple-vehicle crash at the ramp. Traffic cameras don’t show a major backup so far.

Good morning! No out-of-the-ordinary incidents so far; we start with the bridge cameras:

More cameras, including Viaduct views, are on the WSB Traffic page.

Buses from the Fauntleroy ferry dock will likely be fuller today because the Vashon Water Taxi isn’t running this morning.

The weather’s still colder than usual – mid-20s right now – but the National Weather Service has canceled its weeklong alert for our area, and says we’ll be warming toward more-normal conditions as the weekend proceeds.

8:29 AM: Crash reported on northbound 99 around the south end of the elevated section. Doesn’t sound major but we’re monitoring.

7:00 AM: Good morning! We begin with the eastbound bridge view; more cameras, and other info, can be found on the WSB Traffic page. It’s going to be a very cold day, forecasters say, likely with a sub-freezing high, though it appears the chance of weekend snow is receding.

7:24 AM: Northbound I-5 has a bit of trouble – a crash north of the ramp from the West Seattle Bridge, just pinpointed as being at the I-90 exit. (See this camera.)

8:18 AM: Crash reported on the Admiral Way hill north of the bridge – at Admiral and City View. Radio communications say it’s “blocking” but “non-injury.” Police are on the way.

Now that the parade is over, we’re tracking the trip home.

*SPECIAL WATER TAXI / SHUTTLE BUS SCHEDULE
*METRO ALERTS

We are continuing to monitor emergency communications – and hearing that downtown traffic is clearly still a challenge, to say the least.

2:37 PM: Tim just e-mailed to say, “Line to get on Water Taxi at Pier 50 stretches a block and a half down Alaskan Way.” (added) Cheryl‘s photo of the line at the dock:

(Firsthand reports on Water Taxi and buses appreciated in the next few hours – text 206-293-6302, e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)

2:52 PM: From Luckie in comments, “If you’re taking the C from downtown to West Seattle, the further north you can catch it on 3rd, the better.”

3:25 PM: The CLink rally has just ended, which means tens of thousands more people joining the commute, which WSDOT describes as looking right now like it usually does at 5. (Minutes later) Metro says it’s canceled most parade reroutes, but: “Expect delays.”

3:40 PM: If you used Sound Transit light rail to get into downtown, ST just tweeted this: “If heading south on Link, Stadium Station your best bet for shortest waits, will still be crowds. Major backups in (downtown transit tunnel).”

4:15 PM: Catching RapidRide as far north as you can is the latest advice in comments. No massive problems reported on the roads; southbound Viaduct doesn’t look too horrible – here’s a camera:

4:37 PM: Update from Pier 50 – the Water Taxi is back to one boat and major waiting – you might want to try a bus home instead.

5:14 PM: I-5 southbound might be problematic – there’s a crash at mid-Boeing Field and that could mean domino effects getting out of downtown.

(SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES – we’ll keep this going until switching to official parade edition)

6:35 AM: Good morning! We’re here to help you get to the 11 am parade downtown as well as the usual commute info. You can see more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page. Links for starters:

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand, substituted later Wednesday)
–WATER TAXI: Go here to see the special schedule for today only, shuttle buses included.
–METRO: Route alerts that kick in before the parade; general advice
–SOUND TRANSIT BUSES/LIGHT RAIL: One WSBer texted at 6:30 that the Tukwila parking lot was 90% full.
–WEATHER: Very cold – the wind chill could make it feel like the teens, forecasters say; Special Weather Statement still in effect.
–IF YOU HAVE TICKETS TO SAFECO SPILLOVER EVENT, here’s the FAQ

People are already staked out along the route, KIRO’s live helicopter view shows. From SDOT, here’s how roads will be affected:

The parade begins at Fourth Avenue and Denny Way, and heads south on Fourth Avenue to S Washington Street. From there it will proceed west to Second Avenue S, turn south on Second and then move into the North Lot at CenturyLink Field. Fourth Avenue and all cross streets from Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue will be closed to traffic starting at 10:30 a.m. and reopen after the parade passes, and Occidental Avenue will be closed at 8:30 a.m. “No parking” signs for the event are in place and prohibit parking along the route from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

7:33 AM UPDATE: We went to The Junction to see how buses were looking. Saw an empty C Line. Don’t wait too long to go – via Twitter, we’re seeing numerous photos of the streets downtown filling up.

7:50 AM UPDATE: The 7:45 am Water Taxi was reported to be “full and boisterous,” per Tim; Lise also said it’s full, and both mention parking in the area is busier than usual. We’re heading off to survey the scene. Remember there is a gap between the 8:45 am run from Seacrest and the added 9:30 am run.

8:05 AM UPDATE: Now the C Line is full, Mac reports. Remember that downtown reroutes kick in BEFORE the parade – see the link above.

8:30 AM UPDATE: 8:15 Water Taxi was at capacity with ~50 left at dock, our crew reports. No street parking left in area. (Note: The Salty’s lot appeared to have a few spaces left on the unpaved side.) Next run is 8:45, then 9:30. Line for 8:45 stretches to the street. Meantime, if you are DRIVING in, 4th Avenue northbound off the bridges is not a good bet – see the backup on the city’s camera.

8:59 AM UPDATE: Can’t stress it enough, if you are going, LEAVE ASAP. (Here’s a photo Metro posted to Facebook showing the 2nd/Jackson crowd close to end of parade route:)

We are watching traffic, transit, Water Taxi, and everything is jammed. Here’s a Water Taxi line pic from about 15 mins ago:

Thanks to Brian Presser from TouchTech Systems for that pic. Meantime, Cheryl, also at the dock, says it looks like the Vashon boat might have been added to the run too. We haven’t confirmed that but will try to. Buses are jammed – the 21s were full by the time they got to Morgan, Jeff reports via Twitter.

9:13 AM UPDATE: Water Taxi line past Marination ma kai (WSB sponsor) and down the block, tweets Micah. Meantime, Josh confirms that the 8:45 Water Taxi captain “shouted (to those in line)” that they were adding the Vashon boat to come pick up more people. And we’ve just received a photo from Sean showing a crowd packing onto a RapidRide C Line bus:

Thanks to everyone sharing photos – we are staying at HQ to keep track of all the info you need going there AND getting back (and other news), so we’d love a parade photo or two once it’s all under way – text to 206-293-6302, e-mail to editor@westseattleblog.com, or share at facebook.com/westseattleblog.

Traffic alert: Scanner says there’s a crash at Delridge/Thistle.

9:40 AM UPDATE: Micah says the extra boat is helping the Water Taxi line move fast.

(Added: Photo from HJ)
Meantime, buses are still very busy. Just in from Kindree: “Been at C line stop on Alaska at Fauntleroy for a while now. Last 5 or 6 buses ( C and 50 ) have been full and passed us by.”

9:50 AM UPDATE: Meantime, from downtown, a preview from the start of the parade route, just tweeted by a State Patrol public-information officer – note the Ducks (which the team apparently will ride in):

Troopers preparing at the staging area for todays parade. pic.twitter.com/s1wUnbcdM3

— Trooper Chris Webb (@wspd2pio) February 5, 2014

10:03 AM UPDATE: Water Taxi continues to move along well – aerial perspective from Sunny Kobe Cook:

While downtown is full of fans, no major problems are reported – we’re monitoring all scanner channels as well as Twitter. But one transportation route is VERY backed up south of here, texts Amy – she says thousands are in line for light rail from Sea-Tac.

10:25 AM UPDATE: Winding down this edition of traffic coverage since we sure hope everyone who’s going is there. We’re hoping to feature a streaming window once the parade begins, separate story page. Meantime, if you ARE there, there’s one big request from SPD and the rest of the city: “With record crowds lining downtown streets for today’s Seahawks victory parade, police and fire are asking people to please stay on the sidewalks and leave the streets clear for emergency vehicles.”

10:39 AM UPDATE: Still people awaiting the Water Taxi, but David Christensen says, “It’s moving fast.” And Spenser tweeted this after getting onboard:

Water Taxi captain: “everybody Hold on because we’re about to take off like Percy Harvin!” @westseattleblog @Seahawks

— spenserdavis (@spenserdavis) February 5, 2014

POST-PARADE NOTE: We have afternoon going-back-to-West-Seattle coverage here.

Nothing out of the ordinary so far this morning. “Live” views: Above, the eastbound West Seattle Bridge view and below, the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct view:

More cameras, and other information, are on the WSB Traffic page. Perhaps most notable this morning – it’s below freezing, and the next few mornings will be even colder.

SEAHAWKS PARADE TOMORROW: Here’s the newest information. We’re expecting more details today about transit for the event, including whether the Water Taxi will add midday runs, so check back here later.

Good morning – traffic is reported to be lighter than usual; can’t imagine why. We start with the eastbound West Seattle Bridge view and the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct view:

You can see more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page.

FERRY ALERT: As announced late last night, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state-ferry route is on a 2-boat schedule today, TFN.

VICTORY-PARADE WATCH: More details are expected this afternoon, but so far the only ones made public are in the city announcement last night – midday Wednesday on 4th Avenue downtown, starting 11 am around Seattle Center and heading south to the stadium (similar to the Seafair Torchlight Parade route).

8:46 AM UPDATE: WSF says the three-boat schedule will resume on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth as of about noon today.

(Photo shared by Laura via Facebook)
8:40 AM: Thanks to the tipster who just texted about this: If you’re heading southbound out on 35th SW any time soon, there’s a 2-car crash at 35th and Austin (map).

8:47 AM UPDATE: This is affecting traffic in both directions; we’re off to check.

9:09 AM UPDATE: Added a photo.

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
No serious injuries reported. As the photo shows, it’s right by the Sunrise Heights business district, and tow trucks are already starting to clear the scene; in the meantime, there’s one lane open on the east side of the road, and police were working to make sure buses could get through.

9:23 AM UPDATE: Thanks to Laura for sharing the photo we’ve added atop the story, an overview of the scene fairly early on.

9:46 AM: Just went back to check; the scene is now clear.

7:15 AM: Good morning! Nothing out of the ordinary reported so far on the outbound-from-West Seattle routes. Here are the two main bridge cameras:

And the northbound view onto the south end of the Alaskan Way Viaduct:

You can see more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page. Now to the bridge reminder:

LOW BRIDGE CLOSED TONIGHT: SDOT has updated its alert about the low bridge’s closure 8 pm-midnight tonight for dredging. Motor vehicles can use the high bridge instead, but since that bridge cannot be used by bicycles or pedestrians, the city has added some information about alternatives.

NO CLASSES TODAY @ SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: It’s the “day between semesters” and SPS students are out, so take that into account as you travel around today.

REMINDER FOR *NEXT* WEEK: Highway 99 SOUTH of the West Seattle Bridge will be closed in both directions 10 pm Friday, February 7th, to 7 am Saturday, February 8th, for one of the final major phases of the “Timber Bridge” replacement project.

6:34 AM: Good morning – we start again this morning with two views of the bridge.

For more cameras, including Viaduct views, see the WSB Traffic page.

If you drive North Delridge in the late morning, things might be a little wild at Delridge/Andover around 11 am, because of the Seahawks-spirit flag-raising (here’s our original report from Monday).

Look-ahead notes: Tomorrow (Friday, January 31st) there are no classes for Seattle Public Schools; it’s the “day between semesters.” Friday night, the low bridge will close to surface traffic for a dredging operation; that’s noted here, along with an advisory about the Alaskan Way Viaduct for Sunday morning.

7:49 AM: From comments – avoid California right now between Edmunds and Alaska, construction-site concrete pour. We’ll check on this shortly.

8:25 AM: The online petition for 35th SW safety improvements is approaching 500 signatures. We’ll have an update on this (and a few other local road-safety notes) later today.

8:32 AM: Low bridge is closed to vehicles/pedestrians so marine traffic can go through, per SDOT Twitter.

Hoping for a less-congested commute than Tuesday, we begin with three “live” views (refresh this page for the latest) – the bridge, above and below:

And the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct, from the elevated section’s south end:

Find more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: A few links to share in case you hadn’t seen these stories yet –

*Online petition launched for long-sought 35th SW safety measures
*Block Watch Captains’ Network briefing on neighborhood traffic calming
*February 4th hearing on ballot measure to raise Metro/roads money

6:45 AM: So far, nothing out of the ordinary reported on West Seattle’s main outbound/inbound routes. Here are the bridge cams:

And the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct view:

Find more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page. We’ll update as always if/when we get word of anything you need to know.

7:56 AM: Police are checking out a report of a possible crash on the eastbound bridge near the 1st Avenue South offramp. Let us know if you’re on a passing bus or carpooling and see anything.

8:10 AM: Via scanner, we’re hearing police have confirmed this, and are saying two lanes are blocked.

8:20 AM: Thanks to Ben Blain for e-mailing the photo showing the lane-narrowing (with flares) right before the 99 overpass:

In comments, Lura reports a tow-truck sighting.

8:38 AM: Low bridge not a good alternative at the moment, as it’s closed to vehicles, so marine traffic can go through.

8:45 AM: Via Twitter, Kim says Admiral Way traffic is “backed up past the top of the hill.”

8:50 AM: Also via Twitter, Mike says Delridge Way traffic is backed up to Youngstown. Joe says the bridge crash cleared but police still have a lane blocked off; that’s believed to be for cleanup, as a small spill was reported at the crash scene. Meantime, the low bridge is open again for non-marine traffic.

9 AM: The bridge lanes are reopening – Jessica tweeted that an officer was clearing the flares minutes ago.

9:37 AM: In comments, “Enough” says there’s now an incident blocking the left lane by Nucor. Meantime, photo added above was sent by Ben Maldonado – showing the traffic-times sign a bit earlier on Fauntleroy Way. (added) Another reader sent this helmet-cam video showing how tempers flared on the bridge during the earlier backup:

10:07 AM: For bus riders – interesting Seattle Times story, asking the question about whether RapidRide has worsened local service rather than improving it.

1:48 PM: Small crash on the westbound bridge, off to the right lane, no injuries reported. Thanks to Vanessa, Lura, and Patrick for the tip.

Welcome to Super Bowl countdown week! More gray right now than blue/green … above and below, our two main high-rise bridge views:

And here’s the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct:

More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page. Just south of the Viaduct view, it’s opening day for the new Atlantic Street overpass. If you’re just heading past it on 99, no effects, but for those getting around in the area west of the stadiums, it means changes – here’s the announcement – including a map link.

We start again this morning with two views of the bridge.

For more cameras, including Viaduct views, see the WSB Traffic page. We have road-work alerts, too – 42nd SW in The Junction will be closed for utility work south of SW Alaska starting around 7 am; this weekend, there are lane closures on northbound I-5 again starting 9:30 pm tonight, as detailed here.