(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.

3:01 PM: 42nd SW will be closed for the next three days (Thursday-Friday-Saturday) in the 4700 block between Alaska and Edmunds in The Junction. Just received that word from the general contractor for the 42nd/Alaska/California project, Andersen Construction. They say the work requiring the closure will be done by Seattle Public Utilities, 7 am-6 pm; we’re checking on whether it’ll be a round-the-clock closure and how it will affect Jefferson Square access off 42nd, and will add the answers when we get them.

4:41 PM: Update – Jefferson Square will still be accessible from 42nd; this closure, like a previous one there, will be on the north side of the block.

6:12 AM: There’s the west-pointed view of the bridge .. here’s the east-pointed view:

And the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct:

More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page. As always, we’ll update here if anything significant happens with potential effects on local commuters.

HIGHWAY 99 OVERPASS OPENS MONDAY: In case you missed this announcement Wednesday – the Atlantic Street overpass over Highway 99 in the stadium zone will open Monday.

6:21 AM: As noted in our coverage of this morning’s Fauntleroy garage fire, Metro is not routing RapidRide C Line buses on Wildwood between 45th SW and 47th SW for now. We’re trying to verify the reroute, since the message mentions Gatewood stops that are nowhere near the usual C Line route.

6:39 AM: Metro has a web update with more details explaining that reroute, which means RapidRide is not running on Fauntleroy Way right now, and skipping the ferry dock.

6:55 AM: Per radio communications, the roads there will reopen shortly, so the bus rerouting might not last too much longer.

7:06 AM: Metro just texted, RapidRide is back to regular routing.

7:16 AM: Trouble on northbound I-5 just north of the ramp from the West Seattle Bridge – a crash has one lane blocked.

7:31 AM: And now there is tragedy on the westbound bridge, per scanner. Someone called police to report seeing a person get out of a car and jump off the bridge. The victim is reported to have been found below; the car has been found on the bridge. (Note: Any time we mention suicide, we mention this: Crisis Clinic‘s 24-hour line, 206-461-3222.)

7:56 AM: Our crew confirms that the emergency response under the bridge because of this is off the roadways and has not affected the lower bridge; it is open as usual.

Police were also on the high bridge, with the abandoned vehicle, which will be impounded for investigation.

POSTSCRIPT: Checking WSB archives, we note two bridge suicides last year, a 27-year-old man in January and a 54-year-old woman in May.

(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Midweek already. If you see something affecting the commute, please let us know – if you can text/call/comment safely/legally (you’re on a bus, you’re a carpool passenger, you’ve arrived at work, etc.) – 206-293-6302 is the number, any time. Thanks!

(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Off to a foggy, and frosty, start. No road-work alerts for the daytime but two for late tonight into early Wednesday: all lanes of northbound I-5 will close at S. Dearborn 11 pm tonight to 4:30 am Wednesday, diverting onto the collector/distributor lanes . Also, 11 pm tonight to 5 am Wednesday (and again the night after that), the two left lanes of northbound I-5 will close at Olive Way.

(Reader photo)
7:33 PM: Dangerous Friday night on the roads – a crash reported to be car/pedestrian has northbound 35th SW closed at Henderson. Metro’s rerouting buses.

9:32 PM: Just went to check on the scene – all clear. No updates on circumstances, but if the injuries had been life-threatening, investigators will still be out, so at least the fact they’re not is a good sign.

TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Finally just spoke with SFD about this. Spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl confirms the person hit was taken to the hospital but did NOT suffer life-threatening injuries.

Andrew)
6:44 PM: There’s a heavy-rescue callout on southbound 99 at Lander, and it is reported to be a rollover crash. No other details yet but avoid southbound 99 if you are headed this way.

7:39 PM: Commenters report it’s slow northbound too, going past the crash scene.

9:35 PM: Absent official updates, we drove 99 through this stretch about 15 minutes ago to see if it was clear yet. It is – aside from some police on the right shoulder.

(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Our Friday watch begins. First note of the day – a WEEKEND ALERT if you are headed north; WSDOT is working on expansion joints on northbound I-5, just north of the West Seattle Bridge, and that means major lane closures from tonight through Sunday morning (they promise to finish long before the Seahawks game):

9 pm Friday, Jan. 17, through 10 am Sunday, Jan. 19

*Up to three of four lanes of northbound I-5 closed between South Spokane Street and Yesler Way.
*Access to and from I-90, S. Dearborn Street, and Edgar Martinez Drive South will remain open.
*Crews will keep at least one or two lanes of northbound I-5 open at all times through the construction zone area.

MONDAY REMINDERS: Monday is the King Day holiday, which brings transit/transportation changes – Metro’s on a “reduced-weekday” schedule, and the Water Taxis will NOT run. (Side note – if you’re interested in a little more info about the new boats being built, check this out.)

10:12 AM: Crash at Delridge/Alaska, per 911 log, and this photo was just texted to us:

We don’t know how it’s affecting traffic, but SFD has already cleared it and closed their part of the call, which suggests no major injuries.