12:59 PM: In case you’re heading this way from points north – note that I-5 southbound is not a good choice right now because of a crash near the exit to the westbound West Seattle Bridge. (Thanks to the person who tipped us! Check the newest WSDOT camera image here.)

SIDE NOTE: While we’re talking traffic, remember the bridge-ramp alerts for Sunday.

1:20 PM: SDOT says the ramp is open again; beware of residual backups.

Maybe you saw the portable sign while outbound today, saying SPOKANE RAMP CLOSED MAY 31st. It’s more than that – there are changes Sunday for both directions of the bridge. SDOT just sent the details:

Roadway Structures crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will perform maintenance work near the western end of the West Seattle Bridge on Sunday (May 31) between 5:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Traffic flaggers will assist large trucks and buses through the eastbound on-ramp from SW Avalon Way/ Harbor Avenue SW at Spokane Street, but general traffic will be detoured at several locations as follows:

· The SW Admiral Way off-ramp from the high-level West Seattle Bridge will be closed. Westbound traffic can continue to Harbor Avenue SW/SW Avalon Street and use SW Manning Street to access SW Admiral Way, or continue on SW Avalon Way to Fauntleroy Way SW.

· Traffic intending to travel eastbound to SW Spokane Street will be detoured at SW Genesee Street to northbound Delridge Way SW. From Delridge, depending on their destinations, drivers can access the eastbound lanes of the West Seattle Bridge or turn left at SW Spokane Street.

· If drivers northbound on SW Avalon Way miss the detour on SW Genesee Street, they can continue to SW Manning Street to access SW Admiral Way.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:52 AM: Good morning and happy Friday. No outbound problems reported so far. One big alert for today: One block of California SW in The Junction, between Alaska and Oregon, will be closed to vehicles all day for the KEXP Hood-To-Hood Challenge street party – here’s our latest preview, including information on the closure and one Metro reroute. The closure was scheduled to start as early as 6 am; the traffic camera in that area is turned south instead of north, so we’re headed that way shortly to check on its status.

7:03 AM: Local transportation-related news – the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, an all-volunteer community group, elected new board members last night; here are the results. WSTC meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm, Neighborhood House’s High Point Center; next meeting, June 25th.

7:34 AM: We’ve confirmed, the aforementioned block of California IS closed for street-party setup and will remain so into the evening (possibly as late as 9 pm, depending on how long breakdown takes):

On both ends of the party zone, though, Alaska and Oregon ARE open.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:43 AM: The major outbound routes are quiet so far in the early going.

METRO CHANGES AHEAD: In case you missed our Wednesday story, here’s how the first major round of bus service addition/restoration will play out in West Seattle starting June 6th, as announced by Metro. (The second round is in September.)

8:06 AM: Still quiet. A reminder for tonight – West Seattle Transportation Coalition meets, 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way), all welcome, and the agenda will include at-large City Council candidates John Roderick (Position 8) and West Seattle resident Alon Bassok (Position 9) talking about their newly announced “neighborhood rail” proposal.

8:42 AM: Belatedly, we did find a Traffic Throwback Thursday photo in the Seattle Municipal Archives. From 1957:

That’s described as “24th Ave. SW facing north from Delridge Way. [Petition of property owners for vacation of portion of 24th SW].” Click the image to go to the archive page with a much-bigger version – including details on the billboards at right.

9:26 AM: If you’re headed toward southbound I-5 – DON’T. There’s a major crash at mid-Boeing Field and WSP is advising avoiding the area.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:52 AM: Good morning! Quiet so far in/from West Seattle and vicinity.

6:58 AM: From the scanner: ‘Large piece of wood in middle lane’ somewhere on the westbound West Seattle Bridge. Police will be looking for it.

7:06 AM: They found and removed it.

7:55 AM: Texter says an SPD motorcycle officer is busting bus-lane violators this morning. (We appreciate tips, so long as you can text/call safely & legally – while a passenger, or after you get where you’re going – 206-293-6302 is our 24/7 hotline!)

8:03 AM: After we mentioned that on Twitter, Amy replied that she saw a traffic-enforcement officer on West Marginal this morning, too.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:31 AM: Back to work and school for most today; so far here in the early going, nothing unusual in, or outbound from, West Seattle.

ROAD WORK ALERTS: Seattle Public Utilities says the Monday-Saturday lane closure at Orchard/Delridge will continue into mid-June … Tomorrow (Wednesday), SDOT plans to inspect the Schmitz Park Bridge 9 am-3 pm.

9:09 AM – MORNING COMMUTE SUMMARY: Quiet. No “motor-vehicle incident” responses in or near WS. But we continue tracking it all around the clock, with your help … if you see or hear about something (and it’s safe/legal for you to call/text), please let us know, 206-293-6302. Thank you!

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
The 3-day holiday weekend is almost here. No problems in/from West Seattle so far. Here are the Memorial Day reminders again:

MEMORIAL DAY TRANSIT NOTES: On Monday – Metro will be on its Sunday schedule; the West Seattle Water Taxi will also be on a Sunday schedule; and Sound Transit Route 560 too. Regular weekday schedule for the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth Washington State Ferries route; here’s the system-wide overview.

Before everybody (or almost everybody) starts checking out for the holiday weekend, an alert for next week, sent late today by SDOT:

Bridge engineers plan to conduct a routine inspection of the “Schmitz Park” Bridge on Admiral Way Southwest on May 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The U-BIT truck (provides access to the underside of the bridge) will be positioned on the shoulder of the bridge roadway and will not affect pedestrian traffic.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing out of the ordinary in/from West Seattle so far this morning. We’ll be adding some holiday-weekend reminders while watching the commute.

ADDED 7:08 AM – MEMORIAL DAY TRANSIT NOTES: These are for **Monday** – Metro will be on its Sunday schedule; the West Seattle Water Taxi will also be on a Sunday schedule; and so will Sound Transit Route 560. The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth Washington State Ferries route will be on its regular weekday schedule.

ADDED 7:29 AM – TRAFFIC THROWBACK THURSDAY: This week’s view – from the Seattle Municipal Archives – is an example of how some things don’t change, much:

From November 1960, that photo looks east across Fauntleroy Way from the Fauntleroy ferry dock. The photo apparently was taken for reasons involving landscaping in the bus-stop area. (Click the image to go to the page with the largest view.)

ADDED 8:05 AM – ADMIRAL WAY MEETING TONIGHT: Tonight is the first (and likely only) standalone meeting about the Admiral Way Safety Project, which SDOT has presented to the Admiral Neighborhood Association (WSB coverage here) and Southwest District Council (WSB coverage here). Here’s the flyer, which also includes project details:

It’s an “open house” style meeting, 6 pm at Alki Elementary (3010 59th SW), with a presentation at 6:30 pm.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
SDOT reports some residual bridge backup from a non-injury crash this past half-hour, but says the scene itself, west of the 99 overpass, has already been cleared. Meantime, Seattle Public Schools are back in session today so volume is back to normal.

WALKING TOUR TONIGHT: Questions/comments about the SDOT plan for SW Roxbury? Join a walking tour tonight – all or part; it starts at 5:30 pm at 4th/Roxbury, and proceeds westward to end at 35th/Roxbury at 7:45. (For the specific stops inbetween, go here.)

ADMIRAL WAY PROJECT MEETING TOMORROW: SDOT has a meeting of note in our area tomorrow (Thursday) night too – regarding the proposed changes to Admiral Way west of California SW, as previously discussed at two community-group meetings. 6 pm Thursday at Alki Elementary, “open house” style with presentation at 6:30 pm.

9:33 AM: SPD is dispatching units to a crash on the eastbound bridge, midspan, three vehicles, said to be blocking the middle lane.

(SCROLL DOWN for updates)

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: We’re starting the morning with the usual traffic watch, including updates on how/whether the anti-drilling protest – previewed here – is affecting things, until/unless it becomes big enough to break out into a separate story. (It’s not scheduled to start until 7 am.) Updates to come.

6:37 AM: We dropped off our crew about 15 minutes ago. No commute/low bridge effects so far. Only a few dozen people in view (and as expected, a full contingent of regional media). Police are at the gathering point and while headed eastbound, we saw bicycle officers heading from the Chelan Café vicinity northwest toward the T-5 entrance. Again, if you’re noticing helicopter(s), at this point it’s TV, related to this. Our crew, by the way, has learned the plan – subject to change – is to march over the low bridge toward T-5 starting around 7:30. (In our tweeted photo above, note the portable barricades; during the December 2011 Occupy protest there, police blocked the road with them at one point.)

7:02 AM: The aerial view just shown on KING matches what our crew reports from the ground – about 100 people so far. No other traffic trouble spots so far – sunny morning, so don’t forget your shades.

7:11 AM: Until/unless major traffic effects start, we’re just posting photos to our Twitter feed – go here if interested. Bicycle riders should note that this is having some effects on the path there.

7:20 AM: March is about to begin. From our crew at scene: Police plan to close WESTBOUND LOW BRIDGE while it proceeds so it can move more quickly. EASTBOUND LOW BRIDGE TO REMAIN OPEN. Per scanner, police estimate about 500 demonstrators.

7:27 AM: Entire bridge closed after all (LOW bridge) while protesters head for T-5. Will update when that changes. Here’s a “live” SDOT camera showing the low bridge:

7:43 AM: Per scanner, police are reopening the low bridge now that the protesters have all crossed. Again, this is not affecting the high bridge or other routes. You can check the Chelan/Marginal camera in our top grouping to see what’s happening at the west end of the low bridge.

7:51 AM: Protest march now at Terminal 5, which is NOT on a major traffic route. SDOT confirms low bridge is open again:

8 AM: No traffic effects currently unless you are trying to get onto T-5, which hasn’t been busy since it was officially closed last July.

8:06 AM: Adding photo of demonstrators milling at T-5.

What happens next, we don’t know yet – police are there, and also standing by in case the group decides to march back across the low bridge, though that was NOT in the plan published in advance – there had been an intent voiced to shut T-5 down all day if they could. Meantime, the commute overall remains normal – no incidents in/from this area.

8:21 AM: Looking ahead to tomorrow – remember that Seattle Public Schools will be closed Tuesday for the one-day teacher walkout to protest legislative lack of action on school funding. Teachers are planning morning gatherings at WSHS and Chief Sealth; more on all this in a separate story later.

9:20 AM: Back from picking up our crew and also checking out T-5 from a different angle:

No word of any arrests in connection with the protest but police remain deployed and alert; one drove over to check us out while we were peering through the barb-wire-topped T-5 fence at the end of the driveway into Jack Block Park. We’ll continue to monitor this through the day and will have a separate story later with some of the morning’s scenes, but otherwise, we’re on to other news.

(Polar Pioneer at T-5, photographed from the West Seattle Water Taxi on Friday by JayDee)
Three full days after the arrival of the Polar Pioneer oil rig at Terminal 5, the next promised protest is Monday morning, so we’re publishing a reminder one more time that it might affect low-bridge travelers. The demonstration scheduled to start at 7 am Monday follows the Saturday “flotilla” protest; no citations or arrests were reported from that, but this could be different. As noted here on Thursday, groups opposed to Shell’s offshore-drilling plan for the Arctic say they will gather by the fishing bridge on Spokane St. just east of the low bridge. Today’s version of the media advisory says activists “will flood Terminal 5 and Harbor Island on Monday, stopping work on Shell’s Arctic drilling rig. Organizers with the sHell No! Action Council expect this to be the largest act of environmental civil disobedience Seattle has seen in recent years …” (Also mentioned in our Thursday report, the operators of Terminal 18, east of T-5, decided to be closed tomorrow just in case.)

No route is shown from the gathering point, but getting to T-5 from the fishing pier would require crossing the low bridge. We’ll have a crew on the scene starting early and will have updates here – traffic coverage is a WSB emphasis every weekday morning, whatever’s happening on the roads and paths.

P.S. The regional media says they’ll be on this too, so don’t be surprised to see/hear helicopter(s).

Until about 11 am, Alki Avenue SW is closed for the annual West Seattle 5K. We’re here to cover the race, which is scheduled to start just after quarter past 9; organizers say 800 are signed up so far. If you’re parked anywhere on Alki SW in the race zone, move your car ASAP, as we’ve seen tow trucks as well as parking-enforcement officers. Race coverage to come in a separate story.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
5:44 AM: We’re launching traffic watch earlier than usual because Northbound 99 is still closed in the stadium zone after an overnight car-motorcycle crash. TV crews there say one lane might be open soon – but for now, you can’t use 99; your options are I-5 or surface streets instead. Buses that use 99 have been diverted. Here’s the “live” camera view:

We’ll of course update. SPD says the crash was caused by a wrong-way driver hitting a motorcycle rider, who has life-threatening injuries.

Also this morning:

(Added: WSB photos. Commute station included WS Bike Connections with info on ‘5-way intersection’)
BIKE TO WORK DAY: It’s Bike To Work Day around Puget Sound, and if you are riding your bicycle this morning, make time to stop at the special “commute station” open until 9 am under the high bridge, co-presented by West Seattle Bike Connections and DIY Bikes.

(At right, Stu Hennessey of DIY Bikes)
More on that here.

Alerts for the next few days:

SATURDAY & MONDAY PROTESTS: Saturday is most likely to bring congestion around Don Armeni Boat Ramp and Seacrest Park with kayakers gathering for an on-the-water demonstration because of the Shell rig Polar Pioneer‘s arrival; Monday, an early-morning on-land demonstration is planned, going from the fishing bridge to Terminal 5, which might affect commute-hour travel on and around the low bridge.

SUNDAY, WEST SEATTLE 5K: The first and biggest run/walk of the season on Alki is happening Sunday morning, 9:20 am, with Alki Avenue closed to vehicles (and heed the “no parking” signs) until 11 am or so. Once again, NO “car-free day” festival afterward, for the first time in many years, so the road will fully reopen afterward.

6:01 AM UPDATE: One lane of northbound 99 is now open.

6:48 AM: Both lanes of NB 99 are now open.

Thanks for the tips – Avoid the eastbound bridge from Fauntleroy for a while; a multi-vehicle crash has closed at least one lane. No indication of injuries so far – it’s not even on the 911 (Seattle Fire response) log, but we have multiple reports (thanks to Rachel, Jissy, and Brian).

3:41 PM: Can’t tell the status from off-bridge vantage points and SDOT hasn’t been reporting on this, but EB bridge traffic does appear to be moving, albeit slowly.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:43 AM: We start with a problem reported in the 3800 block of Admiral Way (map) – water, possibly from a pipe break. We had just heard about it via scanner when Rachel texted us a photo and alert:

Seattle Public Utilities and SFD have been advised, per scanner. We’ll be following up.

7:36 AM: Just went to Admiral to find out more. The outside westbound lane is blocked by an SPU rapid-response truck; in front of it, water is still bubbling up:

The SPU rapid-response worker who was at the scene said it appears a plastic pipe broke.

8:31 AM: While out checking on that and the Pigeon Point fire, we were also reminded we should remind you about the 35th SW walking tour on Saturday morning (May 16th) – meet SDOT reps at 9 am at 35th/Avalon. Details here.

11:51 AM: A comment reminds us – the ongoing bridge lane closures continue. Though the initial alert just mentioned eastbound, we’ve seen them on westbound too. Until the work concludes (tomorrow, SDOT says), be extra careful during the non-peak hours, as you might suddenly encounter the work crew.

3:01 PM: Crash on the eastbound bridge – tracking it here.

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! We start with notes/alerts for today and beyond:

HARBOR AVENUE WORK: Noticed while making rounds on Monday that this project is well under way. – be aware when continuing onto Harbor northbound from south of the bridge or turning northbound from westbound Spokane.

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE WORK: The ongoing work in the outer lane of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to continue again today and tonight, outside the peak hours; here’s the SDOT schedule.

WEST SEATTLE 5K THIS SUNDAY: Time to start with the reminders that Alki Avenue SW will be closed to traffic during this Sunday’s annual West Seattle 5K Run/Walk, starting early in the morning and continuing until about 11 am. A change this year: As first reported here a month ago, the 5K will *not* be followed by the SDOT Summer Streets “car-free” festival this year as it has been each previous year, so the street will fully reopen to vehicles after the 5K. (A community celebration has been organized by Alki neighbors, but no street closure is involved.)

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning – so far, no trouble reported in or from our area.

POST-COMMUTE ALERT: Work that started over the weekend in the outer lane of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to continue today and tonight; here’s the SDOT schedule.

This weekend’s Highway 99 closures north of downtown are over; not only is that mentioned briefly as an update to this alert, we can attest to it firsthand, having just had to drive to Green Lake and back. Meantime, the eastbound high bridge lane closure of which SDOT warned the other day IS under way, closing the outside lane between the Delridge onramp and the crest of the high rise.

Late word from SDOT of bridge lane closures planned starting tonight and continuing off and on for the next six days/nights:

The eastbound curb lane of the West Seattle Bridge will be closed through Thursday, May 14 during off-peak traffic hours for utility work. The schedule will be:

Friday to Sunday, May 8th to May 10th — 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Monday to Thursday, May 11th to May 14th — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.