(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Icy again today!

REMINDER: WEEKEND CLOSURE: One more reminder: Utility work related to the California/Alaska/42nd construction project will close SW Alaska 10 am-7 pm each day this weekend.

NEW SIGNS: Back on Tuesday, WSB’ers pointed out new stop signs on the 26th SW greenway in North Delridge, and conversation ensued. Yesterday, driving through Morgan Junction, we noticed new signs on California at Fauntleroy, both directions, aimed at drivers/riders intending to make right turns:

We don’t know if this is the only intersection where they went up – let us know if you’ve seen new signs elsewhere.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
As forecast, it’s cold! Give yourself extra time, whatever your mode of transport – for scraping, or walking safely to the bus stop, or … On the bridge late last night, we saw the telltale stripes left behind by the de-icing crew, so the city has done its prep work. As noted on Twitter:

SDOT treated bridges, viaducts and known icy spots in Seattle with salt brine overnight to fight ice.

— seattledot (@seattledot) November 21, 2013

METRO CONCERN? If you have questions about the potential Metro cuts, this morning in The Junction, from now until around 9:30, a Metro outreach team is scheduled to be tabling – as announced here.

WEEKEND CLOSURE: Now that it’s Thursday, it’s time for another reminder – utility work related to the construction project in the heart of The Junction will close SW Alaska between California and 42nd much of the weekend. We asked Metro whether they would have a reroute alert; short answer, no – longer answer, “Reroutes are very minor/short around the block w/no significant impact to service & no missed stops. No reroutes will be posted & no alerts are scheduled to be sent.”

7:12 AM UPDATE: A crash is reported on the eastbound bridge, according to the online 911 log. Over the radio, crews report it’s on the 35th ramp to the bridge but “is pretty minor.” However, the camera shows a lane blocked – at least temporarily:

7:25 AM UPDATE: The fire engine has left the scene, though police are still there. Watch out, though, for a black Mercedes SUV reported (via police radio) to be driving recklessly north on Fauntleroy past Juneau – passing other cars, fast, via the center turn lane.

7:34 AM UPDATE: As you can see in the “live” camera image above, merging traffic onto the eastbound bridge at 35th/Fauntleroy is back to “normal” again – the crash is all clear.

7:42 AM UPDATE: If you’re heading north of downtown, be forewarned that police and fire are now responding to a crash “mid-span” on the Aurora Bridge. Details on that when we get it. *Update – it involves a spill that will have to be cleaned up and it sounds like northbound traffic is being diverted. Closest camera:

Police are saying they’ll have one lane open south, one north.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:59 AM: Welcome to Wednesday. In case you missed this alert we added to yesterday’s traffic/transit tracker late in the day, after it was sent by SDOT, note some possible downtown delays this morning:

(The) Homeless Advocates March will get underway at 7:45 am after the participants spend the night at Westlake Park. A Seattle Police motorcycle escort will accompany the 100 participants in the street as they make their way east on Pine Street to Fifth Avenue, then southbound on Fifth to the City Hall at Cherry Street. The activists have a goal to “Get 1000 people off the streets by summer 2014.” They will occupy the Committee to End Homelessness in King County (CEHKC) Governing Board Meeting being held at 8:30 am in the Bertha Knight Landes Room of City Hall. Motorists can expect to encounter delays between 7:45 and 8:30 am as the marchers move along the downtown streets. Given the timing of the event, commuters may need to allow for extra time to get to work.

7:27 AM NOTE: It’s much colder this morning than yesterday, but still above freezing. However, forecasters say we’ll likely wake up to below-freezing temperatures tomorrow, so if that might mean windshield-scraping for you, find the scraper today.

9:16 AM: Speaking of frost – some is reported on the ramp from the southbound 99/Viaduct to the westbound West Seattle Bridge, per police radio – they’re calling for help in getting that handled. Also, a one-car crash has been reported on the westbound bridge at the Delridge exit. (Added for the archives: Photo of the crash by alextutu1821, shared via the WSB Flickr group)

10:59 AM: That’s all over, so far as we know. New note: If you have questions about the possible Metro cuts, look for an info-table at The Junction tomorrow (Thursday) morning, 6:30-9:30 am – details here.

(City cameras are broken again, so here’s a state camera, 1st Ave. S. Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:47 AM: No specific incidents so far on the routes through/from West Seattle, but we’re watching as usual, for the morning commute and beyond.

8:05 AM: Thanks to the commenters who pointed out that the SDOT cameras are stuck again. So we’ve switched to two state-run cameras, facing south over the south end of the 1st Avenue So. Bridge, and looking south over I-5 just south of the West Seattle Bridge.

8:33 AM: Tommy and Lindsey have both pointed out that new stop signs are installed on the 26th SW greenway in North Delridge. (Added Tuesday pm: Greenway info/map here) And, not all drivers are noticing. Tommy sent this quick clip:

And Lindsey tweeted:

There's a set of new stop signs up at 26th & Juneau. Beware, a lot of cars haven't noticed them yet. @westseattleblog

— Lindsey Hurd (@lindseyhurd) November 19, 2013

By the way, if you have a question about neighborhood traffic safety, SDOT’s Jim Curtin is the person to ask, and he’s the guest at tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting – 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (Webster/Delridge).

P.S. The city traffic cams are working again, so here’s the east-facing one from the bridge:

For more cams, see the WSB Traffic page.

10:32 AM: SDOT reports via Twitter – and commenters have noted here, too – that northbound 99 is closed at Battery St. Tunnel.

4:32 PM: From SDOT – an alert for tomorrow morning:

Tomorrow morning, November 20, the Homeless Advocates March will get underway at 7:45 a.m. after the participants spend the night at Westlake Park. A Seattle Police motorcycle escort will accompany the 100 participants in the street as they make their way east on Pine Street to Fifth Avenue, then southbound on Fifth to the City Hall at Cherry Street. The activists have a goal to “Get 1000 people off the streets by summer 2014.” They will occupy the Committee to End Homelessness in King County (CEHKC) Governing Board Meeting being held at 8:30 a.m. in the Bertha Landis Room of City Hall. Motorists can expect to encounter delays between 7:45 and 8:30 a.m. as the marchers move along the downtown streets. Given the timing of the event, commuters may need to allow for extra time to get to work.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
As the Monday commute gets going, two reminders:

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION EVENT @ 35TH/AVALON: At 8:15 am just north of the outbound 35th/Avalon bus stop, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition will join local state, county, and city leaders to call attention to how big a bite will be taken from WS-area transit if funding isn’t found to hold off potential Metro cuts. WSTC says you are welcome to be there to show your concern.

SEAWALL WORK: Downtown waterfront drivers/riders take note, the seawall project is starting in earnest, with this advisory beginning today:

Construction of the temporary roadway beneath the Alaskan Wy. Viaduct begins. Work will include: removal of the existing roadway and angle parking spaces under the Alaskan Wy. Viaduct between Madison St. and Pike St; removal of trees and signal poles on the west side of Alaskan Wy; ongoing relocation of utility and communications duct banks. A minimum of one lane in each direction will be maintained on Alaskan Wy. at all times. Local Access will be maintained to the businesses on the east side of the Viaduct at all times.

NEW SOUTH PARK BRIDGE: On our partner site The South Park News, you’ll find video of last week’s informal community “slideshow” event looking behind the bridge-building scenes. To answer the big question right off the top, the county says “next spring” remains the estimated date for the new bridge’s debut – almost four years after the old one was shut down.

TRAFFIC UPDATE, 9:32 AM: In 4th/Occidental/Lander vicinity in SODO, a car and Seattle Police motorcycle officer have collided, and the investigation is affecting traffic. No other details yet.

TRAFFIC ALERT FOR LATER TODAY, 10:47 AM: From SDOT – this might affect you if you’re downtown this afternoon:

This afternoon the Washington State Labor Council will hold a rally to support the Machinist Union at Westlake Park from 4 – 7 p.m. At least 2,000 participants are expected to attend. At this time, no lane or street closures are planned, but motorists should expect congestion around the park during the afternoon commute, particularly on Fourth Avenue and on Pine Street.

12:30 PM: The crash on Lander in SODO is cleared. KING 5 has details.

(WSB photo, added 9:45 pm)
9:15 PM: One person has been taken to the hospital after a motorcycle crash at West Marginal Way South/South Holden, by the entrance to northbound Highway 99 (north of the South Transfer Station; map), commonly used if you head down the Highland Park Way hill toward 99. It appeared on the 911 log as a medic response about an hour ago but wasn’t on our radar until Megan tipped us that it was snarling traffic; police have since reopened most of the road, but if you’re heading that way and can wait a bit, that might be a good idea. Police tell us at the scene they’re still trying to find out what happened; no word on the rider’s condition.

SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE: Police say the rider does not have life-threatening injuries. But they are trying to find the reported hit-run driver who caused the crash. Just added to SPD Blotter:

Traffic Collision Investigation Squad (TCIS) detectives are seeking the public’s assistance for a hit and run collision that occurred last night on West Marginal Way South. The collision left a motorcyclist with a broken leg.

At about 8:15 last night, a 26-year-old man on his motorcycle was stopped facing southbound at a red light on West Marginal Way South, waiting to turn onto South Holden Street. Without warning, a vehicle traveling north on W. Marginal Way S. struck the motorcyclist, causing the motorcycle to fall over onto the man, breaking his leg. The vehicle continued to drive north on W. Marginal Way S. without stopping to provide information or render aid.

Seattle Fire responded and treated the motorcyclist. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center. His injury is not considered life-threatening.

The only description detectives have right now of the vehicle is a darker grey (charcoal) vehicle missing its driver’s door side mirror. Anyone with information on this hit and run collision investigation is asked to contact TCIS Detective Schmidt at (206) 684-8935.

The ongoing project at California/Alaska/42nd brings some traffic alerts for next week and the following weekend. While we’re told the notice from general contractor Andersen Construction has already been circulated to nearby businesses and residents, we thought you might appreciate advance notice too, especially about the one block of SW Alaska that will be closed 7 am-10 pm on November 23 and again the following day. The full notice:

Andersen Construction will be performing work in SW Alaska Street on 11/23/13 and 11/24/13 and in adjacent Alley from 11/19/13 to 11/24/13. During this time, primary feeders will be relocated from overhead power poles to an underground ductbank.

The South end of the Alley located North of SW Alaska Street between California Ave SW and 42nd Ave SW will be closed to through traffic and pedestrians from Tuesday, 11/19/13 to Sunday, 11/24/13. Egress will remain open through the North end of the Alley. We may temporarily relocate your garbage and recycling dumpsters, if necessary, in order to remain accessible for your use and scheduled pick-ups.

SW Alaska Street between California Ave SW and 42nd Ave SW will be closed on Saturday and Sunday, 11/23/13 and 11/24/13 from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. This road will be open to traffic before and after work hours; one sidewalk along SW Alaska Street will also remain open during this time.

That weekend is a big one for holiday open houses, with at least three that we know of, but this is NOT affecting parking; we’re not seeing bus-reroute info on the Metro website yet, but will update when that’s out. Keep an eye on our daily traffic/transit roundups next week (always linked atop the sidebar) for any changes.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:40 AM: Nothing unusual reported right now on the routes through/from West Seattle.

8:54 AM: As mentioned in our coverage of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s meeting this week, the group is organizing a media event for Monday morning, seeking regional coverage of how hard West Seattle would be hit by the proposed Metro cuts. They’d love a big show of support, so if you’re able to join them, the details are out now – gathering will be at 8:30 am Monday (November 18th) in the parking lot of The Bridge. They’ll be joined by State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, and City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen. If you can’t be there – or even if you can – they also are seeking volunteers to help with their four-point strategy – details here.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Routes through/out of West Seattle are “normal” (always a relative term) right now, so far as we’re seeing/hearing.

METRO ALERTS FOR DOWNTOWN: Eastbound Seneca is closed between 2nd and 3rd until the 25th; here’s that alert (and the bus-stop version is here). The westbound Columbia stop east of 2nd is closed through this Friday – here’s that alert.

(SCROLL DOWN for ongoing updates)

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:34 AM: A crash on the West Seattle Bridge has closed the western end of the westbound direction; one texter tells us vehicles are being diverted off the bridge at the Admiral exit. And according to the scanner, the eastbound side will have to be closed for repairs to the barrier. We’ll continue to monitor.

6:40 AM UPDATE: Here’s the camera view of the west end of the bridge just east of 35th/Fauntleroy, no traffic either way right now, so you’ll have to enter the eastbound bridge from Avalon/Admiral or Delridge:

6:54 AM UPDATE: As you can see in the camera view, the west end of the bridge is now OPEN again.

8:10 AM UPDATE: A comment reminds us that cancellations of the Vashon Water Taxi affect buses headed this way, so just in case this affects you – the Vashon WT has been canceled all morning because of mechanical trouble with the Melissa Ann; no word yet about afternoon prospects.

DOWNTOWN BUS-STOP ALERT: For transit riders downtown who are headed this way:

The bus stop westbound on Columbia St just east of 2nd Av will be closed through Friday, 11/15, at all times, due to construction. During those times, board or exit the RapidRide C Line and Route 125 to Westwood Village, and routes 21 Express to Arbor Heights, 55 to the Admiral District, 56 to Alki, 57 to the Alaska Junction and 120 to Burien at the temporarily relocated stop southbound on 3rd Av just north of Columbia St. Once leaving the stop on 3rd Av at Columbia St, Viaduct buses will operate non-stop via their regular routing.

ADDED 1:10 PM: A traffic alert for the weekend:

If your Saturday plans include a trip to SODO, you can cross the State Route 99 ramps near the stadiums off your list of route options.

Crews working for contractors building the SR 99 tunnel and the South Atlantic Street overpass will close the on-ramp from South Royal Brougham Way and the off-ramp to South Atlantic Street for much of the weekend. The right lane of southbound SR 99 will also be closed south of downtown Seattle. The ramps and lane will reopen two hours before the kickoff of Sunday’s Seahawks game at CenturyLink Field.

Closure details

Friday, Nov. 15 – Sunday, Nov. 17
The right lane of southbound SR 99 between South King and South Atlantic streets, as well as the southbound off-ramp to South Atlantic Street, will be closed from 10 pm. Friday, Nov. 15 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17.

During the lane and ramp closure, crews will remove steel and timber beams that supported construction of the new South Atlantic Street overpass. The overpass is scheduled to open by the end of 2013.

Saturday, Nov. 16 – Sunday, Nov. 17
The South Royal Brougham Way on-ramp to northbound SR 99 will be closed from 7 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday.
During the closure, crews will install drainage and move a power pole.

The overpass and tunnel ramp work are both part of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program.

2:32 PM UPDATE: Vashon Water Taxi will be back in business this afternoon – with Clipper III replacing Melissa Ann, which is out for repairs.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Back to post-holiday normalcy. We start with two reminders:

STREET-TREE PLANTING: Today’s the day the city plans to start planting new street trees along sections of California SW and Fauntleroy Way, as detailed here.

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION TONIGHT: This all-volunteer group, determined to advocate for this area’s distinct transportation needs, can’t do it without you, so they’re inviting you to come find out tonight how you can help along some very specific lines. 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, 6400 SW Sylvan Way.

Updates as the day goes…

5:45 PM: Crash reported on southbound I-5 just before the West Seattle Bridge exit.

Just in from WSDOT: Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct is open again, after a weekend of work on the new S. Atlantic Street overpass. The reopening was eight hours earlier than projected.

1:15 AM NOTE: As of 1 am, the “Viaduct Closed When Flashing” lights on signs in West Seattle and on the bridge were still flashing. But we drove 99 and it really is open.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
This weekend’s Highway 99 closure starts late tonight. As for the roads right now, there’s a crash reported on Highway 509 on the way to the 1st Avenue S. Bridge.

VETERANS DAY REMINDERS FOR MONDAY: Metro is on a “reduced weekday” schedule Monday; the West Seattle Water Taxi will NOT be in service.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:08 AM: Wet roads, so be careful. The wind advisory, meantime, was pushed back overnight, to take effect at 7 am – so even though it’s not windy out there yet, forecasters still think it’s on the way, likely peaking this afternoon.

REMINDER – 99 CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: Alaskan Way Viaduct is closing starting tomorrow night, and there’s a partial weekend closure north of the Battery St. Tunnel too.

METRO’S MEDIA BRIEFING: As the Legislature starts its special session today, Metro/King County leaders plan a media briefing with new information on the cuts they say they’ll have to make unless legislators include a funding solution in whatever they come up with. Watch for that info after 11 am.

7:49 AM: Checked out a crash reported at 35th/Juneau – 2 vehicles but off to the side when we passed a few minutes ago and not blocking traffic.

8:07 AM: Big squall just arrived – heavy rain, breezy. Be EXTRA careful.

8:38 AM: Commenter “Enough” explains intensified backup: “FYI.. Disabled car at bottom of hill by Nucor, right lane. Both lanes getting by.”

We’ve been hearing for a while about a major slowdown on southbound 99 headed this way, and now we know why – a crash right at the bridge. One WSB’er who passed it while riding Metro Route 55 reports, “There is a three-car accident in the left lane, just before the WS Bridge ramp. An ambulance and cop are on the scene. Avoid the area!”

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Some spot problems on northbound I-5 downtown in the past hour-plus, but all are reported cleared, and there’s no current word of anything else on the roads from here.

99 CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: If you missed it Tuesday afternoon, here’s the latest reminder from WSDOT about what’s closing this weekend and when.

3 PM: Avoid the Admiral Way hill between the bridge and the viewpoint – there’s a flipped-car crash. Traffic’s getting through but slowly.

6:19 PM: If you haven’t seen our separate story, there’s a crash on southbound 99 right by the bridge exit.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Welcome to Election Day; if you spot any sign-wavers on streetcorners or overpasses, please let us know (but NOT by texting or calling while driving, please, it can wait until you get to where you’re going – unless you’re a passenger!); we’ll be out looking for last-minute voteseekers, but sighting reports always help.

Meantime, another reminder about the bus-stop change in effect downtown for many West Seattle riders, through next Tuesday – details here.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
And so we start the first full week of November! First, a reminder for Metro riders:

From Monday, November 4 through Tuesday, November 12, the bus stop westbound on Columbia St just east of 2nd Av will be closed at all times, due to construction.

During those times, board or exit the RapidRide C Line & route 125 to Westwood Village, and routes 21 Express to Arbor Heights, 55 to the Admiral District, 56 to Alki, 57 to the Alaska Junction and 120 to Burien at the temporary relocated stop southbound on 3rd Av just north of Columbia St.

Once leaving the stop on 3rd Av at Columbia St, southbound Viaduct buses will operate non-stop via their regular routing, with no other stops affected.

Another reminder: NEXT weekend brings a scheduled Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closure, both ways between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel, because of work on the Atlantic Street overpass, Friday night-Monday morning.

8:59 AM: Winding up the morning commute without anything out of the ordinary on routes to/through West Seattle. But remember that we add updates throughout the day if something DOES come up, and the newest daily report is always linked atop the WSB sidebar so you can find it to check.

(Added 1:03 am: Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
11:32 PM: Just outside West Seattle, a driver is reported to be seriously hurt after her vehicle went off the 1st Avenue South Bridge near/at the Michigan exit.

She’s been taken to the hospital, and Seattle Police‘s Traffic Collision Investigation Squad has been called out. SDOT cameras don’t show any effect on the bridge right now, but if you’re headed that way, on surface streets or the bridge, now you know what’s going on.

12:01 AM: Update from SPD via Twitter: “Preliminary investigation indicates excessive speed a contributing factor to crash. S River St will be completely shut down for about 2 (hours).” Police also say the driver was the only person in the car.

1:55 AM: A bit more information has just been posted on SPD Blotter, including:

… On November 2nd at approximately 10:36 p.m. officers responded to a one-vehicle collision in the 100 block of South River Street. Preliminary investigation indicates that a woman was driving her Honda Accord northbound across the 1st Avenue South Bridge. She entered the Michigan Street off-ramp at what appears to be a high rate of speed, lost control of her car and went over the concrete barrier, landing on South River Street below. The female driver was the sole occupant of her car. There were no other vehicles involved in the collision.

Fire department medics responded to the scene and transported the woman to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening head injuries.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Welcome to November!

We start the morning with two weekend notes:

BIKE PATH CLEANUP: In case you missed the announcement on Thursday – or need a reminder – you’re invited to join in a cleanup along the western stretch of the bike path alongside/beneath the West Seattle Bridge, 9 am-11 am tomorrow (Saturday), organized by Dave Winters of Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor) – details here.

CITYWIDE TRAFFIC ALERTS: This weekend’s stadium events and more, in this roundup from SDOT.

Also remember that NEXT weekend, Friday night 11/8 through Monday morning 11/11, is scheduled for the next Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closure, as first reported here a week ago.

ADDED 4:32 PM: Reminder from Metro, if you catch the bus downtown:

From Monday, November 4 through Tuesday, November 12, the bus stop westbound on Columbia St just east of 2nd Av will be closed at all times, due to construction.

During those times, board or exit the RapidRide C Line & route 125 to Westwood Village, and routes 21 Express to Arbor Heights, 55 to the Admiral District, 56 to Alki, 57 to the Alaska Junction and 120 to Burien at the temporary relocated stop southbound on 3rd Av just north of Columbia St.

Once leaving the stop on 3rd Av at Columbia St, southbound Viaduct buses will operate non-stop via their regular routing, with no other stops affected.

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:12 AM: How scary – or not – will the Halloween commute be? We’re off and rolling for Thursday. On the other side of the day, do note that trick-or-treating at Admiral District businesses is set for 3-6 pm today, so extra care is vital in that area, no matter what mode of transportation you’re using. Meantime, here’s the bridge cam that usually points west:

P.S. The rest of the Halloween event lineup is in our special guide.

9:18 AM: We seem to have made it through the bulk of the morning commute without a major problem. However, a medic response near Holden/Highland Park Way right now is reported to be a crash; we’re checking it out for potential traffic effects.

9:38 AM: Our crew says the uphill side of the intersection – south/westbound from Highland Park Way on to Holden/9th – is blocked right now. Two pickups collided; one person was going to the hospital via private ambulance.

Tow trucks have arrived so it’s not likely to be blocked too long.