West Seattle, Washington
06 Wednesday
Watch out for more pedestrians than usual today, particularly the littlest ones – it’s International Walk to School Day! As reported here earlier this week, Schmitz Park Elementary has big plans, with special Walking School Buses. Anybody else? Let us know; photos welcome too – editor@westseattleblog.com!
Otherwise, we’re on traffic watch as usual:
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
If you’re driving or riding through South Delridge, the detour is NOT changing directions today after all – here’s that announcement from last night.
Yesterday, SDOT said it would reverse the current South Delridge repaving-project detour. Now – that plan is on hold, so the detour remains the same TFN:
The plan to reverse the Delridge Paving Project phase five detour is delayed. The Seattle Department of Transportation is working with the contractor to ensure safe implementation of the change. Until further notice, Delridge Way SW southbound traffic between SW Henderson to SW Roxbury streets will continue to be detoured at SW Henderson Street. Northbound traffic will continue to be maintained.
We apologize for any inconvenience this alteration in plans causes! Safety is SDOT’s primary goal and the reason behind the detour reversal delay. More information will be released as it is confirmed.
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:07 AM: Off and running for Tuesday – with a note for Wednesday, if you didn’t catch it here last night: The South Delridge repaving detour will change directions tomorrow, with southbound open instead of northbound, which wasn’t working too well – here are details, with a map.
7:01 PM: SDOT has canceled that plan – here’s the announcement – so the detour will continue on the southbound side, while the northbound side will continue to have an open lane, TFN.
7:03 PM: A two-vehicle crash is blocking Roxbury both ways by Safeway right now; police have called for tow assistance, so it might not last much longer.
Just in from SDOT: As of Wednesday, they’re reversing the detour direction for the final phase of Delridge Way repaving – southbound traffic will keep flowing, northbound traffic will be detoured, instead of the other way, which is how it’s set up now. The city says this is necessary in order to:
· Simplify traffic control measures for ease of understanding for the traveling public
· Eliminate the buildup of excessive traffic at the intersection of Southwest Roxbury Street and 16th Avenue Southwest due to the detour
· Allow for a more natural traffic flow – southbound on Delridge Way in the original right lane
· Reduce the possibility of someone driving in the wrong direction.
The new detour will direct northbound Delridge Way Southwest traffic at Southwest Roxbury Street onto northbound 16th Avenue Southwest and then onto westbound Southwest Henderson Street to return to Delridge Way. This detour will remain in place until the project is complete at the end of the year.
To ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians and to allow enough space for the crews to conduct this work, curb-side parking on Delridge Way will be inaccessible between Southwest Henderson and Southwest Roxbury streets until project completion.
If you’re interested in hearing more about this from SDOT, a rep will speak at the White Center Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly evening mixer tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6 pm at Bahn 88, 9418 Delridge Way SW.
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
No new major road work/closures scheduled today/tonight; we’ll just be watching the usual routes in hopes of a quiet morning… One item of note: The King County website has launched a major redesign, which means:
NEW LOOK FOR METRO, WATER TAXI WEBPAGES: The county revamp includes Metro’s webpages – see them here – and the Water Taxi’s section of the website, too.
We happened onto this early today while stopping by the WT site to verify that the 7-day-a-week season is close to this year’s conclusion – it’s three weeks away, in fact.
8:27 AM: If you haven’t seen our separate story on a fire response in the 8400 block of 16th SW – that’ll be tying up traffic in the area for a while, though the fire itself is a small one already reported as “tapped.”
8:56 AM: 16th SW is reopening, per scanner traffic. Meantime, for Arbor Heights residents, AH Elementary is changing its traffic patterns and parking as of this afternoon, per the school newsletter (where you’ll find an explanatory map).
5:31 PM: Backup on the westbound bridge, blamed on a stalled/abandoned car on the shoulder, with police on scene.
6:19 PM: Another update says two cars, with tow truck(s) on scene. Only one bridge camera (the one you see at the top of this item) is working.
WSDOT announced tonight that the inspection work it had planned to do in two installments this weekend is all done – so it will NOT close Highway 99 from the West Seattle Bridge to the Battery Street Tunnel again on Sunday after all. **BUT** the separate utility-work closure NORTH of the tunnel still will be in effect, so northbound 99 traffic must exit at Western Avenue until Monday morning. See the full update here.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
5:04 AM: The bridge cam is usually a weekday fixture here but it’s up this morning so you can check for backups while the Viaduct/Highway 99 is closed 5 am-6 pm between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel for its twice-yearly safety inspection. It’s supposed to reopen by 6 pm and then close again 6 am-6 pm tomorrow. If you’re going north of downtown, 99 is closed for the entire weekend between the BST and Valley Street. And there’s one other closure you might want to know about tonight – 10 pm Saturday to 5 am Sunday, the northbound I-5 ramp to the bridge is scheduled to close for re-striping.
8:01 PM UPDATE: The state has announced the Viaduct/99 stretch from the bridge to the Battery Street Tunnel will NOT close again on Sunday after all. BUT the 99 closure north of downtown continues until Monday morning as scheduled. Here’s our update.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:14 AM: Happy foggy Friday!
HIGHWAY 99/VIADUCT CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: Don’t forget that-both directions of Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct will close between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel 5 am-6 pm Saturday and 6 am-6 pm Sunday, for the twice-yearly safety inspection. North of downtown, a weekend-long closure of Highway 99 is planned for utility work – full details here.
‘WE ARE METRO’: Metro Transit is celebrating accessibility and diversity all month, as explained here.
7:54 AM: Though the bridge cam is fogged in, we’ve been out on a quick errand and it’s clear on the ground, at least from The Junction southbound. Meantime, there’s a crash on the eastbound bridge at Delridge, per the 911 log. Both bridge cams are fogged in, but the Fauntleroy-approach cam (which unfortunately has no Admiral counterpart) isn’t:
8:32 PM: New crash that might affect you if you’re heading south via I-5 – it’s just come up on the 911 log at southbound I-5 @ Spokane.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:33 AM: “Generally, things are moving better than they have all week.” So says WSDOT via Twitter, a regional observation, but still, an optimistic assessment here as we approach the heart of the commute.
HIGHWAY 99/VIADUCT CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: Yet another reminder- both directions of Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct will close this weekend between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel, 5 am-6 pm Saturday and 6 am-6 pm Sunday, for the semiannual safety inspection, and that will coincide with a weekendlong closure north of the BST for utility work – closure details here.
7:42 AM: Downtown surface-street problem, pointed out in the comment section – a crash at 6th and Pine is tying things up. Westbound Pine is closed, one northbound lane of 6th is open, per KING 5’s traffic reporter Tracy Taylor.
8:25 AM: If you ride Sound Transit Route 560, ST says a crash in Bellevue might cause delays.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:07 AM: Welcome to Wednesday! Now that the weekend is in view, we need to resume reminders about this weekend’s Highway 99 closures – both directions between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel, 5 am-6 pm Saturday and 6 am-6 pm Sunday, for the semiannual safety inspection, plus a weekendlong closure north of the BST for utility work – details on all of the above can be found here.
10:28 AM: Another crash on Roxbury – 9th and Roxbury this time. The call closed out fairly quickly on the Seattle Fire 911 log, but a texter says three vehicles were involved and police were directing traffic.
1:17 PM: Something’s up on southbound 99 – it’s closed at the Battery Street Tunnel.
Two crashes that might complicate your afternoon commute: Amanda sends word of another 8th/Roxbury crash, on the westbound side of Roxbury, not on the 911 log so apparently no major injuries, but she says there’s quite a backup. And SFD crews are responding to a crash on southbound 99 parallel with the stadiums. Complicating matters – it’s starting to rain again. Traffic updates as we get them.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: Happy first day of October! Here’s hoping for calmer weather and safer travel today.
5:18 PM: Afternoon trouble – here’s an update.
WSDOT has just sent a reminder of this weekend’s Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 inspection closures – first noted here a week and a half ago: This time, instead of closing for an entire weekend, the closures will be 5 am-6 pm Saturday (October 5th) and 6 am-6 pm Sunday (October 6th). If you will be traveling north of the Battery Street Tunnel, there IS a weekend-long closure, timed to coincide with the other closures: SDOT says, “All lanes in both directions of SR 99/Aurora Avenue North will be closed between the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley Street from 11 pm Friday to 5 am Monday.”
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Though the wind wasn’t as strong as feared – the wind warning was downgraded to a wind advisory by midnight – it’s still been blustery overnight, and it’s breezy and soggy out there now, so plan extra time to get where you’re going. Reminder for bus riders: Metro’s service change took effect Saturday, including three routes serving West Seattle.
7:24 AM: The Fauntleroy approach to the bridge is backed up to Fairmount Park because of what @AMinSeattle tweets as a “minor” crash – here’s the “live” cam from just after the turn at Alaska:
From the 911 log – police are responding to a crash at 14th/Cloverdale in Highland Park (not major – SFD’s response is already closed).
7:58 AM: Crash on the county side of Roxbury at 8th – text says that northbound 8th is closed at Roxbury:
King County Sheriff’s Office is directing traffic, says our tipster.
5:58 PM: We’re launching an evening update for weather/traffic related problems – starting with another crash on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct – so once again, avoid northbound 99!
6:05 PM: Added “live” image from traffic cam on northbound 99 – showing gridlock right now. Meantime, from our earlier coverage – the tree across 35th SW at 108th is cleared. Going to check shortly on other blockages reported earlier. Keeping an eye on City Light outage map – so far in West Seattle, only two reported, each listed as one customer (let us know if you know of any NOT on the map). 206-293-6302 text/voice for any weather problems or other breaking news.
6:09 PM: Via scanner, hearing of a tree vs. pole/lines problem on California Way near Hamilton Viewpoint Park.
7:16 PM: Just back from going out to check on a few things. The tree is cleared from California Way, so no problem going up or down the hill between Hamilton Viewpoint and Seacrest. Adding a photo of the big pothole reported earlier on Delridge near Oregon – northbound lane, parallel with Southwest Youth and Family Services. It’s right in the middle of the vehicle lane, not that well lit, with a trash can “marking” it along with a couple cones – you’ll have to use the center lane to get around:
And from the “live” image above, it looks like the 99 problem is clear. Storm’s calmed a bit, for now.
11:52 PM NOTE: The alert for tomorrow hasn’t changed, in case you were wondering – along with the general forecast for rain (increasing again Sunday in the daytime), a “high wind watch” in effect 3 pm Sunday-3 am Monday.
9:04 AM: Avoid Highway 99 TFN – WSDOT says it is blocked both ways at the Battery Street Tunnel by a jackknifed semi-truck. More info as we get it.
9:21 AM: Good news – tipster Jonathan says the 99 problem has been cleared – and the camera view appears to verify that. (As does WSDOT via Twitter.)
11:50 AM: Now there’s a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, before the Delridge on-ramp. Here’s the city camera for the Fauntleroy approach so you can check if the backup’s cleared:
1:39 PM: Commenters report trouble on 99 again. And there are some problems on I-5 too. If you really HAVE TO head out – here’s the custom list of traffic-related Twitter users (including WSDOT, which does tweet on weekends) that we watch. See traffic cameras here.
5:56 PM UPDATE: We’re about to launch a new traffic update for the evening. There’s a crash on the northbound Viaduct – no details, just that it’s on the SFD 911 log as “motor vehicle accident/freeway,” northbound 99 near Seneca. Meantime, the tree blocking 35th by 108th is now cleared.
6:25 PM UPDATE: Evening updates on traffic and weather are here.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
No crashes/closures as the morning begins. But the rain’s returning, per forecasters – some today, more tomorrow. And we have weekend alerts:
RAMP CLOSURE: Late tonight into early Saturday, there’s an overnight closure of the northbound I-5 ramp to the West Seattle Bridge one more time, for striping in the zone where expansion-joint repairs are wrapping up.
METRO CHANGES START SATURDAY: Tomorrow brings its next service change, including three routes serving West Seattle.
CITYWIDE ALERTS/REMINDERS: Here’s the SDOT roundup of what might affect traffic around the city this weekend. Not on the list, Sunday’s Beat the Burn 5K in West Seattle on Alki, since it’s NOT closing the road.
11:31 AM: Weekend note for those who drive into downtown via 4th Avenue:
Northbound Fourth Avenue South in the Pioneer Square Neighborhood will be reduced to one lane at South Jackson Street on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. and now also on Sunday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1:54 PM: Update from WSDOT: “Tonight’s scheduled closure of the northbound I-5 ramp to the West Seattle Bridge and Sixth Avenue South has been postponed due to rain.”
(Update: Stuck vehicles cleared, 99 still closed northbound)
2:58 PM: Just dispatched: Seattle Police and Fire units are going to the scene of a reported crash on Northbound 99 involving a motorcycle and car, not far from last night’s crash that killed a motorcyclist. If you’re heading toward downtown, avoid 99 for now – sounds like it’s about to be blocked off. More as we get it.
3:09 PM: Northbound 99 is now blocked off, per scanner traffic – as far south as, south of the West Seattle Bridge. At least one person is seriously hurt – they have already called for the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad, and that means it’s likely to be closed a few hours (last night’s crash investigation closed 99 for four hours).
3:16 PM UPDATE: Police are now describing this as a motorcycle/guardrail crash, not motorcycle/car. They are continuing to keep vehicle traffic from getting onto 99, but they are also trying to figure out how to get trapped traffic off the highway.
3:33 PM UPDATE: Adding “live” image of West Seattle Bridge, where this is causing a morning type of scene since the northbound 99 exit is closed TFN:
3:39 PM UPDATE: Police say the motorcyclist is dead – second motorcycle rider killed in a crash in this area in 17 hours.
4:50 PM UPDATE: Still closed – refresh this page for updated camera views above, especially the top one, which won’t show cars again on the right side until northbound 99 reopens. Southbound 99 *is* open. Meantime, buses are affected, says Metro: “Viaduct buses heading toward downtown Seattle are currently rerouted … and will travel via 1st Av S or 4th Av S depending upon the route and destination, with no missed stops. Expect delays in transit service.”
6:08 PM UPDATE: Northbound 99 is still closed, no ETA but we’ll be watching, and if you notice it reopened first, let us know, IF you are a passenger or else after you get to your destination.
7:22 PM UPDATE: As of a few minutes ago, as commenters have pointed out (thanks!), Northbound 99 has reopened.
9:32 PM UPDATE: Police have published an update on SPD Blotter, saying the victim was a 52-year-old man riding a 500cc Aprilia motor scooter.
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Now that it’s Thursday, in addition to today’s updates, we look ahead to the weekend. First, today: Delridge repaving work includes two sites – the final phase between Henderson and Roxbury, plus Orchard west of Delridge (westbound lanes are scheduled for work through the end of this week). … Downtown, remember the alert about the Microsoft company meeting at KeyArena today. … This weekend, Saturday brings Metro’s next service change, affecting three routes serving West Seattle, and Friday night, there’s an overnight closure of the northbound I-5 ramp to the West Seattle Bridge, one more time for striping.
ADDED 10:57 AM: Two things. First, per the discussion in comments, we’re checking with SDOT on the traffic-signal situation. Second, WSDOT has just sent this alert about the weekend:
The combination of two college football games and a soccer match will draw thousands of fans into Seattle this weekend, causing extra traffic on the roadways. Drivers should prepare for congestion to build in the late morning and remain steady through the evening on Interstates 5, 90, and State Route 520, Saturday, Sept. 28. The Washington State Department of Transportation is urging people to plan ahead by leaving early, carpooling, or take public transportation such as King County Metro’s shuttle service for the Huskies game. …
Saturday, Sept. 28
University of Washington vs. University of Arizona, Husky Stadium, 4 p.m.
Washington State University vs. Stanford University, CenturyLink Field, 7 p.m.Sunday, Sept. 29
Seattle Sounders FC vs. New York Red Bulls, CenturyLink Field, 6 p.m.
The West Seattle Water Taxi should be running an extended schedule Sunday night, as usual for evening stadium events during its regular 7-day-a-week season.
4:52 PM: In case you somehow haven’t heard, the northbound Viaduct/99 is closed because of the 2nd deadly motorcycle crash in 17 hours. Updates here.
10:26 PM: Just getting word of a deadly motorcycle crash that Seattle Police say has closed northbound 99/Viaduct. Via Twitter, SPD says the motorcyclist “went off the Viaduct and landed on Railroad Avenue.” A section of 1st Avenue South is also closed. Looks like this is by CenturyLink Field. The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is arriving at the scene, which suggests this will be closed for some hours as they work to find out how it happened.
2:30 AM: WSDOT has sent an e-mail alert saying northbound 99 is now open again. No update from investigators yet, but one is likely in the hours ahead.
8:55 AM: Here’s the short update on SPD Blotter, saying the rider was ejected off his Triumph motorcycle after hitting the east guardrail, adding: “Speed may have been a factor in this collision.”
THURSDAY, 10:09 PM: The Medical Examiner identifies the rider as 30-year-old Nathaniel Hammer.
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing unusual in this vicinity so far today – but the roads are wet and overall, that means slower going. Meantime, two repaving projects are scheduled to continue: 6000 block of Beach Drive, one lane alternating directions with a flagger, and Delridge repaving between Henderson and Roxbury. (Added – as noted in comments – work is not complete on Orchard west of Delridge, as an offshoot of the paving project – it’s scheduled to continue through the week, with the westbound side listed as the current focus zone.)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSIT COALITION: Our report on its launch will be up later today. If you’re on the bus and ready to read about it now, the first round of notes from its organizers are here, and our video of the meeting (better suited for listening than watching due to camera challenges) is here.
NOTE FOR TOMORROW: Thanks to Tracy for the heads-up that the annual Microsoft meeting is tomorrow (Thursday, September 26) – at KeyArena this time, but events there can cause domino-effect congestion down the line, so consider yourself forewarned.
7:45 AM UPDATE: Crash at 35th/Fauntleroy – thanks to Jana and Kristen for the tips via Twitter. Here’s a view on the live camera:
Does not appear to be a major-injury situation, judging by the 911 dispatch.
8:06 AM UPDATE: Camera view shows the crash scene has cleared.
8:15 AM NOTE: As mentioned here last night, this is an “early dismissal” day for Seattle Public Schools, so you will see school buses out and about two hours earlier than usual.
1:13 PM NOTE: More on the Microsoft meeting tomorrow – the city has issued this alert:
Tomorrow, September 26, Microsoft will hold its Annual Company Meeting at the Key Arena from 10 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. Some 15,000 attendees, traveling via 200 buses and 4,000 private vehicles, are expected to begin arriving at 8:30 a.m. and start leaving at roughly 4 p.m. The Seattle Department of Transportation advises motorists driving in the area surrounding the Seattle Center to anticipate heavy congestion in the morning and afternoon and allow for extra travel time.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Traffic watch begins for Tuesday, and we have two road-work projects to mention:
6000 BLOCK OF BEACH DRIVE: Now that the slope repair is done, the long-rutted road is being ground down and repaved as promised. The city now says the work is expected to run 7 am-7 pm today and tomorrow. One lane will be kept open for traffic, alternating directions with the help of a flagger.
SOUTH DELRIDGE REPAVING: The final stage of this year-long project is now under way, restricting traffic from Henderson to Roxbury. (Follow that link to see the detour map.)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSIT COALITION TONIGHT: 6:30 pm, the launch meeting of a peninsula-wide advocacy group – location and agenda info here.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! As we keep an eye on today’s traffic, here’s the citywide roundup of potential traffic-affecting events for the next three days. Also: Starting at 7 pm tonight, northbound I-5 ramps to the West Seattle Bridge and Beacon Hill are closed all weekend.
1:28 PM: Crash on the westbound bridge, closer to WS side.
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