West Seattle traffic alert update: Roxbury/Olson crash scene clears
ORIGINAL 3:35 PM REPORT: Thanks to the person who texted us an alert on this: East of White Center, on the south side of Highland Park, eastbound traffic on Roxbury is backing up in a big way because of a crash at Roxbury/Olson (here’s a map; just before the big hill down to South Park). We’re on our way to the area to check it out. 3:44 PM UPDATE: Officers are turning people around at 8th SW – that affects people driving eastbound from White Center as well as southbound from Highland Park. 5:10 PM UPDATE: Just went back to check – the scene’s now clear and everything’s open in time for evening rush hour.
Traffic alert: Major I-5 closure tomorrow night
Heads up for late-night drivers, especially if you’re going to a holiday party someplace to the south: Northbound I-5, starting just south of West Seattle, will have a six-mile shutdown overnight tomorrow (Saturday night into Sunday), and an even-more-extensive one next Saturday, for sign installation. Read on for the full details from WSDOT:Read More
West Seattle traffic alerts: Watch for mega-puddles
So far we’ve gotten texts about a couple of “huge puddles” that are causing some commute trouble, including one at West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way, and also where Delridge meets The Bridge – given the overnight downpour, certainly there are others, so give yourself extra time when you head out.
West Seattle traffic-alert reminders: Bridge & Beach Drive
First, a reminder about work on The Bridge (eastbound) today and tomorrow, starting at 7 am (detailed here). Second, a schedule update for the paving on Beach Drive between Oregon and Snoqualmie – it will be down to one lane, with a flagger, tomorrow from 7 am till “early afternoon” as crews do the actual paving. Sidewalks will stay open, says SDOT.
Late-night traffic alert: Avoid the eastbound West Seattle Bridge
Just got a text and phone call that the eastbound bridge is blocked, all traffic stopped, around the Nucor plant. The 911 log shows a crash report a while ago, but the Fire Department involvement in it was “closed” – checking to see what more we can find out, but in the meantime, if you have to head east, don’t try to get on The Bridge before Delridge. 12:33 AM UPDATE: In comments, Diane says it now looks like things are cleared up. 7:46 AM NOTE: Unrelated crash that we didn’t get to before the call “closed” – a car went down an embankment on Pigeon Point in the 1 am hour – there’s a bit about it here.
West Seattle traffic alerts: Bridge work Saturday-Sunday-Monday
These are for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, all from SDOT. For the weekend:
Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18, The Seattle Department of Transportation will be removing and replacing markings in the bus lane eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge from the Avalon Way on-ramp, adjacent to the old steel mill, to the First Avenue S off-ramp, just past the SR99 exit. In conjunction with the pavement marking work, the crews will also be installing signs.
The work will be carried out between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Motorists should use caution and be watchful for buses needing to pull out of the bus lane in the work zone.
And for Monday – the westbound left lane will be closed 9 am-3 pm so the Seattle Fire Department can check the fire-suppression system – here’s that alert. Reminders will be on the WSB Events calendar page in case you need to check those dates again.
West Seattle road-work alert: 2nd project ahead on Beach Drive
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SDOT has now sent word of work this week on another section of Beach Drive, in addition to this one:
SDOT paving crews have been given the go-ahead to pave a block on Beach Drive SW, from SW Oregon Street to SW Snoqualmie Street starting Wednesday, October 14 and possibly continuing through Tuesday, October 20.
First the crews will grind off the old surface and then they will lay new asphalt. When they are grinding, (Wednesday and possibly Friday) one lane will remain open in each direction, with bicycles sharing the same lane as motor vehicles, and the crews working from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. When they are paving (possibly Friday, and could extend into Monday and Tuesday of the following week), all traffic will share one lane, assisted by a traffic flagger, and the crews may work as late as 6 p.m. Sidewalks will remain open.
The paving is needed to restore the street surface.
West Seattle traffic alerts: The Bridge and Sylvan Way
Reminder: SDOT announced two days ago that crews planned to work on The Bridge today, westbound, at the Harbor Avenue exit till about 6 pm, replacing a “crash cushion.” And we have word from Marco via Twitter that Sylvan Way through High Point (map) is closed – not sure if that’s related to the bike-lane work that we reported yesterday, but if you usually use that “through route” between Delridge and 35th (or points inbetween), heads up.
Yet MORE road work in the works: Beach Drive, for 3 weeks
Maybe it’s the rush before the winter weather hits. Another one just in from SDOT:
SDOT will rebuild the west side of the roadway and repair the sidewalk from 6543 to 6551 Beach Drive Southwest starting Monday, October 12. The road will be reduced to one lane for three weeks with a flagger to guide traffic during the day.
4 quick updates from SDOT: Bridge, signal, bus stop, paving
WEEKEND BRIDGE WORK: From SDOT’s Marybeth Turner this morning: “SDOT crews plan to work on the West Seattle Bridge at the Harbor Avenue exit on Saturday, October 10 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. replacing a crash cushion. They will be working on the shoulder and will merge traffic around the work site.”
ADMIRAL/CALIFORNIA SIGNAL: Lots of talk in recent weeks (including this WSB Forums discussion) about what seems to be a timing problem at this intersection, leading to backups. According to Turner, “We are currently in the process of changing the timing on the California Ave SW corridor as well as the SW Admiral Way corridor.” She’s pursuing more specifics, but at least you know it’s on their radar, so to speak.
BUS STOP IN FRONT OF THE NEW QFC: A week and a half ago, Metro told us this long-gone bus stop (westbound SW Alaska) was expected to be back within 2 weeks, but the city would be doing the work to replace it. Having not seen a crew yet, we checked with Turner, who explains, “SDOT is awaiting delivery of a sign for the bus stop.” No ETA yet.
16TH SW PAVING: SDOT sent an announcement late yesterday reiterating the road-rebuilding work north of South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) is all but done (as noted here 2 weeks ago):
The reconstruction of 16th Avenue SW between SW Findlay and SW Brandon streets is now substantially complete, with a dramatic improvement in what was a very dilapidated roadway. Crews working for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) rebuilt and slightly widened the road; made drainage improvements including a new storm drain and street drain inlets; repaved the walkway on the west side of the street; and rebuilt the concrete driveways. They plan to finish striping along the roadway by mid month.
To see before/after photos side-by-side, check out this SDOT website.
Traffic alert: Truck trouble slows down The Bridge, westbound
Thanks to Mark T. for that picture of a truck that’s currently blocking the westbound lanes near the 4th Street ramp. Thanks also to others who’ve sent notes – this is Thomas’s report:
There’s a gravel truck that took the ramp from the west bound bridge to
4th ave too sharp and the rear trailer overturned.
10:43 AM UPDATE: Via Twitter, SDOT reports, “The left westbound lane … has opened. The truck has been removed and cleanup continues.” Then moments later they said they’ve closed both westbound lanes “for cleaning.” 10:56 AM UPDATE: And now the final word from SDOT: Both lanes are clear.
West Seattle traffic alert: Truck trouble, bridge ramp blocked
Thanks to Victoria and Thomas for sending word that a truck is stuck under the bridge by Luna Park; Thomas included the photo. We’re heading over to figure out exactly what’s blocked, but in the meantime, good area to avoid. 10:44 AM UPDATE: The truck is blocking the ramp where you turn either southbound from Harbor or northbound from Avalon to go toward the eastbound West Seattle Bridge (here’s a map). Some of its wheels are up on a concrete barrier. So if you need to get to The Bridge, don’t go that way, TFN. 11:02 AM UPDATE: We just took these pics for a closer look. No word so far how long till this will be cleared:
11:29 AM: Heading back over to see if it’s cleared yet. Meantime, note other traffic challenges around the area, as discussed in comments. The Viaduct has reopened, though, just got word on that. And thanks again to everyone who sends tips – which in turn help many other people – please check our contact options and consider storing in your cell phone/smartphone/etc. whichever one would be easiest for you to use whenever you have something to report. 1:32 PM UPDATE: The scene is now clear and you can get to the ramp from either direction.
Traffic alert: Work on The Bridge, westbound, tomorrow
A quick note from SDOT‘s Marybeth Turner:
SDOT crews plan to work on the West Seattle Bridge at the Harbor Avenue exit tomorrow (Oct 3) from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. replacing a crash cushion. They will be working on the shoulder and will merge traffic around the work site.
And yet one more reminder, The Viaduct is closed both ways, 8:15-11:30 am tomorrow.
Dates set for next Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closure
An update this morning from Alaskan Way Viaduct project managers says the next semiannual inspection shutdown weekend is coming up October 24-25. Details:
Both decks of the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed between Spokane Street in the south through the Battery Street Tunnel in the north. The closure is scheduled from:
* 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24
* 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25
In recent years members of the public have been invited to join us during these closures for a tour of the structure. Unfortunately, a public tour will not be possible during the October inspection, due to limited daylight hours to complete the necessary maintenance and the decision to reopen the viaduct earlier than normal to accommodate traffic for the Oct. 24 Sounders game.
And another reminder, The Viaduct closes both ways 8:15-11:30 am tomorrow for the Puget Sound Heart Walk.
Traffic alert: Hit-run at Delridge and Henderson
Westbound Henderson is at least partly blocked at Delridge (map), according to the scanner, because of a hit-and-run crash. Two vehicles were reported to have been hit – no injuries reported at this point – and the vehicle that hit them is described as a maroon minivan. It may be a while before the vehicles are cleared, so you’ll want to avoid that intersection.
Update: 1 dead in early-morning West Seattle Bridge crash
ORIGINAL 3:38 AM REPORT: We’ve been monitoring scanner traffic about an incident on the westbound West Seattle Bridge, described on the 911 log as a freeway medic response. Via Twitter, KIRO says it’s a rollover and says both directions are closed. According to what we’re hearing on the scanner, the driver in the vehicle that rolled — believed to have been traveling at high speed — was found in the passenger seat, “unresponsive,” and is now undergoing CPR. 3:46 AM UPDATE: Also per the scanner, one lane of The Bridge is open westbound; eastbound is completely open. (Image at left is latest “live” pic from camera pointed east of the crash scene) UPDATE 7:15 am: Northwest Cable News is reporting the incident as a fatal accident. 8:46 AM: Here’s the short blurb from SPDBlotter, confirming that the 27-year-old driver died. 2:39 PM UPDATE: The county Medical Examiner has just updated the hotline with its daily list of cases investigated, but concluded the list with “there is nothing to release at this time” regarding this crash, so as of right now, the driver’s identity still has not been made public.
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