(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:47 AM: Quiet on the routes through/from West Seattle, so far.

Looking ahead to tomorrow – it’ll be Bike To Work Day on Friday, with the usual “commute station” for bicyclists beneath the West Seattle Bridge, plus two in White Center; here’s the regional map.

Looking ahead to the weekend – remember that Sunday brings the West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB), closing Alki SW along the full route until about 11 am, and then between 56th and 63rd until 5 pm for the “car-free” Seattle Summer Streets event.

8:33 AM: If you haven’t headed out yet and usually take Fauntleroy from Morgan Junction or southward, we’ve received a report of a potential hazard – somebody standing out in the street in the Fauntleroy/Graham vicinity. En route to check it out.

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:48 AM: Trouble on the bridge – thanks to everyone who’s reporting a crash at/near the top, described as blocking the bus lane and part of the lane to the left of it. No injuries.

7:20 AM: Still causing a backup. (Added – screengrab we snagged at the time, for posterity:)

Meanwhile, if you’re going to be on the road in SODO at midday today, remember that the Mariners have a day game.

7:29 AM: Thanks for comment updates, including bus rider reporting tow truck at crash scene. (Added – another screengrab for posterity:)

7:59 AM: After almost an hour and a half, the bridge crash has JUST cleared. Just last night, the “one stalled car/crash blocking thousands of commuters” problem was among the questions the West Seattle Transportation Coalition had for Mayor Murray’s transportation adviser Andrew Glass Hastings; our story’s coming up later (spoiler alert on that point, no clear answer).

8:14 AM: As commenters are pointing out – there’s still a residual backup, so if you can wait to leave, that’s still good advice. We also were asked if SDOT tweeted about the crash (here’s the context for asking) – the first tweet we see was at 7:42 am, an hour after the earliest reports we received.

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
As we start today’s traffic watch, some news notes:

BUYING BUS SERVICE? Following up on King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s Metro announcements Monday, Mayor Ed Murray is set to go public with his plan at 9 this morning. And then tonight at 6, it’s the closest public meeting a County Council will have on the cuts that are in the works all the while. And at 6:30 here in West Seattle, the mayor’s transportation adviser is the guest at the next West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting.

ROAD WORK AHEAD: Announced Monday by SDOT – traction-improvement ahead for three local stretches of road, starting this weekend.

You’ll recall that, when announcing recent concrete-panel-replacement work on SW Charlestown west of California and SW Genesee east of Avalon, SDOT mentioned it would be followed up by work to improve traction on those steep hills. The department has just announced a work schedule for those two stretches and one other in West Seattle that had recent panel replacement (as well as others around town):

The Seattle Department of Transportation will grind the concrete street surface to improve traction for safety at multiple locations around the city from May 15 through May 29. Work will take place during weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. with the exception of some weekend work, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Dates for each location are subject to change depending on work progress or other factors. Flaggers will be on site at road closures to provide local access and guidance. The locations were selected based on traction vulnerability due to heavy rain, snow or ice.

May 17-18:
Olson Place SW between SW Cambridge Street and First Avenue South (one lane of traffic open in both directions)

Work zone is in the northbound lanes of Olson Place SW between Fourth Avenue SW and Second Avenue SW.

May 20-21:
SW Genesee Street between SW Avalon Way and Delridge Way SW (local access only)

Work zone is SW Genesee Street between SW Avalon Way and 30th Avenue SW.

Eastbound traffic detoured via SW Avalon Way, SW Yancy Street, 28th Avenue SW, SW Andover Street, and Delridge Way SW.

Westbound traffic detoured via Delridge Way SW, SW Andover Street, 28th Avenue SW, SW Yancy Street, and SW Avalon Way.

May 22-23:
SW Charlestown Street between 49th Avenue SW and California Avenue SW (local access only)

Work zone is SW Charlestown Street between 47th Avenue SW and 45th Avenue SW.

Eastbound traffic detoured via 49th Avenue SW, SW Admiral Way, and California Avenue SW.

Westbound traffic detoured via California Avenue SW, SW Admiral Way, and 49th Avenue SW.

SDOT’s full news release also includes the three non-West Seattle stretches where this work is scheduled.

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:01 AM: Quiet, sunny commute right now in and beyond West Seattle. An earlier problem on the Highland Park Way hill is reported to have cleared – please let us know if you’re seeing otherwise.

7:20 AM: We’re on our way to check firsthand but in the meantime, we just got a call that traffic is OK coming up the Highland Park Way hill toward HP, but that it’s still blocked headed out (downhill).

7:41 AM: Still closed and the closure might last a while – it appears that the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is on scene.

7:53 AM: Andrea reports in comments that an uphill lane has been opened for downhill traffic – that’ll still be slow going. Meantime, unusual hazard reported via scanner at Delridge/Roxbury – “man who keeps running in and out of traffic.”

8:26 PM: The aforementioned person is now the subject of a medical call. Meantime, we’re headed back to Highland Park Way for a status check. Haven’t heard back from SPD for more details on the crash. One more note – if you are I-5 bound, there might be something of a distraction on the southbound side just north of the bridge – a vehicle-fire call.

8:31 AM: Our crew says the top of the hill is completely closed off – we’re not seeing the possible downhill lane. Meantime, Seattle Fire spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl tells us the crash victim is a 34-year-old man taken to the hospital “in serious condition.” And the aforementioned southbound I-5 incident near I-90 is now described as a truck fully involved in flames – lots of smoke too (see this traffic cam)

9:01 AM: Again, the I-5 situation is on the southbound side, but certainly a distraction if nothing else on the northbound side:

Here's another look SB 5 near I-90. Backup mainline and express about 3 miles. Use 99 or 405 if N enough. pic.twitter.com/qak2TeEdpf

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 12, 2014

RT @wspd2pio: Minor injury from SB I-5 truck rollover that caught fire, pic.twitter.com/I5Ld5wiuXV

— WA State Patrol (@wastatepatrol) May 12, 2014

10:26 AM: SPD spokesperson Patrick Michaud says the Highland Park Way scene is now clear. He says the driver suffered a “life-threatening head injury.”

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! Aside from the breezy weather, nothing much of note so far during the commute. Weekend notes:

CITYWIDE TRAFFIC ALERTS: Here’s the weekly SDOT roundup of what’s happening around the city that might affect traffic. This also now includes construction notes (the weekend-long closure of westbound 520 is among them).

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY: Neighborhoods around West Seattle will be bustling 9 am-3 pm tomorrow with more than 280 sales of all sizes (as mapped here) in the 10th annual WSCGSD (coordinated by WSB).

And a bit of transportation news in case you missed it here Thursday:

LIGHT RAIL FOR WEST SEATTLE? See what Sound Transit is looking at in its study of the south “corridor” that could include West Seattle, White Center, and points south.

7:28 AM: Thanks to Mike for this note – if you drive SW Charlestown west of California SW, a car is partly blocking the road near 51st SW.

He says a note on it says a tow truck is on the way – but in the meantime, you have to go into the oncoming lane to get around it, precarious to say the least.

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:08 AM: On commute watch as usual, and nothing out of the ordinary so far.

7:18 AM: Via Twitter, Paul reports police are back on the bridge for bus-lane enforcement again today.

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
As we keep an eye on this morning’s traffic and transit, midweek is when we usually would start reminding you about major road-work projects for the weekend. Nothing’s scheduled for West Seattle or adjacent routes, but if the Eastside is in your weekend plans, take note that the westbound 520 bridge will close all weekend for work on its under-construction replacement.

BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY: Today’s the day, and we know of at least two West Seattle schools organizing special rides to school. We’ve already mentioned the plan for Alki Elementary, which will have Seattle Public Schools Superintendent José Banda along for one of its bike trains, both of which are scheduled to meet just before 8 am at 59th and Alki, so please be extra watchful in that area; we also got word that Schmitz Park Elementary is participating again, with multiple rides being led to school. Any other local schools participating today? Please let us know (editor@westseattleblog.com or 206-293-6302) – thanks!

8:10 AM: Added a photo of one of the Bike To School groups waiting for another one at Alki in the sunshine. By the way, Safe Routes to School (biking, walking, etc.) projects in West Seattle are part of the discussion at tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting, 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle. (More later in a separate report on this morning’s Bike To School events.)

(SCROLL DOWN for updates on the morning’s major incidents)

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:47 AM: Spinout/flipped vehicle just reported blocking both lanes on the westbound bridge, westbound end before fork to Fauntleroy.

7:08 AM: No injuries reported. Westbound traffic has been diverted to the Admiral exit.

7:23 AM: Tow truck’s there but the scene isn’t cleared just yet.

7:43 AM: The westbound bridge JUST reopened – crash scene is clear.

7:52 AM: Another “non-injury rollover” reported, this time on West Marginal Way SW at Puget (map). A pole is down, per scanner. Both directions are reported to be blocked; City Light is en route.

8:32 AM: Our crew was told one person was taken to the hospital. South of the crash scene, northbound drivers are being turned around at the Alaska Marine Lines lot. SFD has cleared the scene; City Light is there now. (Also, thank you to Cathy and Nikki for updates – Cathy warns that the north-side turnaround for southbound drivers is precarious, so again, avoid the area TFN.)

9:09 AM: Photos added. Still closed, and with the pole/wires involvement, it might be a while. We’re continuing to monitor.

11:25 AM: Scanner discussion says one lane is now open each way on West Marginal.

Nothing out of the ordinary so far this morning – our featured cameras are again the West Seattle Bridge above and, below, northbound 99 at the south end of the elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct:

The WSB Traffic page has other cameras and info.

WEEKEND ALERTS: No road work of note this weekend, but the city is out with its customary weekend preview, and it includes the West Seattle Bee Festival parade on Sunday, which will travel through several roads in High Point – details here.

ADDED 2:09 PM: Vashon Water Taxi canceled for tonight – no backup boat available. This can affect West Seattle-bound bus riders, as they catch routes including the C Line to get to the Fauntleroy/Vashon ferry.

Heading into the heart of the morning commute, there’s the West Seattle Bridge above and, below, northbound 99 at the south end of the elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct:

You’ll find more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page.

‘MAY DAY’ INFO: The pm commute could be affected by demonstrations – here’s an alert from the city; Metro is planning some pm reroutes, as explained here. We’ll be monitoring the situation for updates starting at mid-afternoon.

Other transportation-related notes:

FERRY FARES INCREASE: Washington State Ferries‘ fare increase takes effect today; here’s the preview we published last weekend.

COLMAN DOCK PROJECT INFO: If you ride the Water Taxi and are interested in information about the Colman Dock terminal project, look for WSDOT reps at Pier 50 3:30-6 pm today.

4:34 PM NOTE: May Day downtown is quiet so far. Still closing some roads as the march passes, but no trouble.

Bright sunshine as we look at the West Seattle Bridge above and, below, northbound 99 at the south end of the elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct:

More cameras, and other info, are on the WSB Traffic page. None of this morning’s regional traffic problems are in our area, so far. But forgetting the sunglasses could be a problem.

8:16 AM UPDATE: From “Enough” in comments: “Heavy eastbound today. Backed up from 35th.”

8:29 AM UPDATE: This won’t make things any better – right-side crash on northbound 5 just past the bridge exit, tweets KING 5’s Tracy Taylor. (A few minutes later – now described as two lanes blocked northbound near Olive.)

9:10 AM: Not blocking traffic, but @scruffydiver just tweeted a fender-bender report from The Triangle involving a classic car:

Fender bender on Fauntleroy Way, SW and Alaska with a rare Shelby-Hertz Mustang GT. @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/KF2q1gfbbE

— Richard Anderson (@scruffydiver) April 30, 2014

The “live” view above is the one West Seattle Bridge that’s working this morning; below, northbound 99 at the south end of the remaining elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct:

You can find more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page – most of the ones that were out Monday are working again. Meantime, no trouble so far on the outbound-from-West Seattle routes; updates if and when there’s anything of note to report.

7:48 AM: Jen reports “what looked like a fairly minor two-car collision, pulled off on the (narrow) shoulder off the far right lane, near the crest of the eastbound WS bridge” via comments – thanks! Apparently no injuries, since it’s not on the 911/fire log. (A moment later) Kerry tweeted that the bridge is “backed up to 35th.” So – give yourself extra time if you haven’t left yet and are headed that way.

8:36 AM UPDATE: There’s a report of a crash partly blocking the I-5 northbound offramp to Mercer, which historically can complicate NB traffic pretty quickly, so you’re forewarned if you’re heading that far.

8:54 AM UPDATE: And more northbound I-5 trouble, tweeted by WSDOT:

And here's a collision in the right lane of NB I-5 south of Olive. pic.twitter.com/awszGp8CmC

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) April 29, 2014

9:20 AM UPDATE: Text from Metro says routes including 21, 55, 56, 120, and RapidRide C/D are routed off Seneca St., so you’ll have to get off at 3rd/Pike/Pine if you’re headed that way.

9:44 AM UPDATE: Metro says everything’s back to normal on Seneca.

The “live” view above is the eastbound West Seattle Bridge (update: most local SDOT cams are out – the 35th/Fauntleroy bridge entrance is an exception, so we’ve substituted it); below, northbound 99 at the south end of the remaining elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct:

Any time of day/night, you can find more cameras (update: when they’re working!), and other info, on the WSB Traffic page. As we head for the heart of the morning commute, a crash just reported on northbound I-5 in the collector-distributor lanes approaching James, but the vehicles were quickly cleared to the shoulder. Everybody’s back from spring break now – parochial schools were out last week, public schools the week before that – so traffic is at as full volume as it gets.

7:47 AM NOTE: We just went out to doublecheck the traffic signals that were flashing for up to 6+ hours on Sunday; all appear to be working now. But in comments, “Trickycoolj” warns that 4th/East Marginal is flashing in the Georgetown area.

8:11 AM NOTE: Also in comments, “Azimuth” points out that most traffic cameras are out. Looking for relevant replacements and checking to see what’s up.

2:26 PM: Just a heads up – the stoplights on Alaska at Fauntleroy and at 42nd are flashing red. Remember that means you need to treat them like 4-way-stop intersections. Thanks for the texts about this!

8:46 PM: Thanks for the updates in comments; we just checked both lights within the past 20 minutes and they are both STILL out. Documented via short Instagram clip – here’s Fauntleroy/Alaska:

We will check early in the morning, too, because if they are not fixed by the commute, could be trouble.

10:10 PM: In addition to updates in the comments (thanks!), we were just out on an errand and noticed that while Fauntleroy/Alaska is working now, California/Fauntleroy and California/Graham are blinking.

(Latest bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! Two notes looking ahead to the weekend:

RAMP CLOSURE: The Admiral Way offramp from the bridge will be closed much of Saturday.

CITYWIDE ALERTS: Here’s the SDOT citywide list of weekend events (all outside West Seattle) that might affect traffic.

(Latest bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Once again today, no major road work planned, but here’s another reminder that the Admiral Way offramp from the bridge will be closed much of Saturday.

A signboard is up for this but you might not have caught all the details, so we just checked with SDOT for details: The Admiral Way offramp from the westbound West Seattle Bridge will be closed 8 am until ~3 pm (reopening earlier if the work is done) this Saturday (April 26th). SDOT’s Marybeth Turner explains that crews “will be working on a project to restore the sidewalk where a traffic accident took out a pole last fall. City Light performed their work, and now we’re following up. On Saturday the crews will remove the temporary fill material (this requires the ramp to be closed) and they plan to pave during this coming week.” That paving work, she adds, will NOT require subsequent closures.

(Latest bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:07 AM: Happy midweek! Our traffic watch begins. No road work today but we did spot a sign on the westbound West Seattle Bridge announcing that the Admiral Way offramp will be closed for much of Saturday (April 26th); we’re checking on that today and will update with whatever info we get. (Afternoon update: Here are the details.)

8:50 AM: If you use Denny Way downtown and haven’t headed out yet – we haven’t heard exactly where but a light is out and big backups are starting, according to radio discussion (monitored via scanner). Otherwise, this morning’s big commute news has been the Water Taxi orca-watching!

1:42 PM: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route is down to two boats.

(Latest bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
No major problems reported in, or headed out of, West Seattle so far. Buses headed out of Fauntleroy might be more crowded with the Vashon Water Taxi canceled for this morning (vessel trouble); and speaking of water, if you’re riding ferries or the West Seattle Water Taxi (which IS running as usual), watch for whales again – we just got a text of a sighting in The Arroyos.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: In case you missed it, the Highway 99 tunneling machine is now expected to take nearly a year (from now) to fix.

ELECTION DAY: Ballots for King County Proposition 1, Metro/roads money, must be in the mail by tonight (or dropped off by 8 pm – the ballot van’s back at West Seattle Stadium 10-8 today, along with one on 8th SW south of Roxbury in Greenbridge).

TRAFFIC ALERT, 8:25 AM: Two-car collision reported in the 3300 block of Harbor Avenue SW, blocking the center lane.

TRAFFIC ALERT, 2:51 PM: Crash with injuries at 1st/Cloverdale, between West Seattle/White Center and South Park. We’re checking it out – don’t know yet how/whether traffic is affected.

(Latest bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Monday traffic watch begins. Note the earlier crash on Sylvan Way; we won’t be able to check back for a while, so please let us know (206-293-6302) if you drive through the area and it’s still blocked. Meantime, transportation-news notes:

SPRING BREAK, PART 2: While Seattle Public Schools had last week off, this week is spring break for local parochial schools, so you’ll still see different traffic patterns and more kids out and about than you usually do on weekdays.

SW GENESEE IS OPEN AGAIN: Just in case you hadn’t been by SW Genesee east of Avalon Way since last week’s concrete-panel-replacement work, we doublechecked on Sunday and it’s all done; the hill is reopened.

HIGHWAY 99 LANE CLOSURES: Just north of downtown, tonight and tomorrow night, as explained here.

2 DAYS LEFT TO VOTE ON PROP 1: Tuesday night is the deadline. This morning, bus riders in The Junction will see some campaigning; our Sunday night story explains.

10:07 AM UPDATE: County Executive Dow Constantine, talking with bus riders before catching RapidRide downtown:

Separate Election Eve update to come later.

(Latest bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Finally Friday – last week of spring break for most Seattle schools – and we’re looking ahead to a few weekend traffic alerts:

I-5 LANE CLOSURE TONIGHT: Updated from the larger lane-closure project, which has been canceled for this weekend, one lane in the northbound collector-distributor will be closed 10 pm tonight to 7 am tomorrow.

SATURDAY MORNING ON ALKI: Tomorrow morning, Alki Ave SW will be closed – to parking, too – 9 am-11 am or so for the Earth Day 5K, in West Seattle for the first time.

OTHER WEEKEND CITYWIDE ALERTS … are here.

We’ll also be checking on the SW Genesee project (was still under way when last we passed that way Thursday afternoon).