West Seattle, Washington
06 Friday
(thanks to YuriM for sending that photo via Twitter, added 10:20 am)
If you happen to be heading toward West Seattle sometime soon – beware of some trouble on The Bridge – Scott C just called to say there’s an “upside-down car” on the westbound side, between 99 and the top of the high rise. 911 log shows a “motor vehicle accident” call there in the past hour, but it’s now closed, which means fire/medic crews’ work is done. No word on injuries. (Thanks also to those who e-mailed and tweeted – Manuel says via e-mail that the crash was blocking the 2 left lanes westbound and backing cars up as far as 1st Ave So.) ADDED 8:53 AM: Here’s the link to a photo @steveler posted via Twitter. ADDED 9:57 AM: The scene is NOT yet cleared, according to this traffic camera. ADDED 10:10 AM: Just got information from Seattle Police media unit Officer Renee Witt: The car is believed to have flipped after hitting a guard rail “at a high rate of speed.” She says the driver also is suspected of having been under the influence. Both the driver and passenger are at the hospital, but both have only minor injuries. The scene hasn’t been cleared yet because the “under the influence” aspect requires a more extensive investigation. 12:30 PM UPDATE: Via Twitter, we have word from @despeaux that the crash scene is clear.
From a cameraphone, but it still clearly told the tale of a dangerous spot in The Junction – which may see extra traffic during West Seattle Summer Fest this weekend – the photo came from Jim Edwards, as did this report:
You know the sign that says “motorcycles use extreme caution” — you better heed it here. Just north of Alaska on 42nd Ave SW. Part of the Capco site work. It is wide enough to catch a scooter or motorcycle tire. A bicycle will flip for sure. SPD non-emergency notified about quarter past nine. This is the detour route for the weekend too.
As mentioned here in a related context recently, if there is a major road hazard, the city also advises alerting 206-386-1218. UPDATE: Jim just called and was told the plate’s “already been reset.” Still – be careful in this spot.
SDOT just sent the list. No Viaduct closures this time. But the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade Saturday morning is mentioned (it does have a few traffic effects), among many other events citywide – read on:Read More
No big splashy announcements of this closure yet but it hit our radar when Robert asked a question on the WSB Facebook page: The Alaskan Way Viaduct will close for much of Saturday because of this area’s first-ever Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. Specifically, it’s slated to close 4 am-4 pm northbound, 4 am-1:15 pm southbound; the times are listed on The Viaduct’s website.
Lots going on IN West Seattle this weekend — most notably, the Sustainable West Seattle Festival on Sunday, 10 am-3 pm (schedule here) — so why leave? Well, if you MUST – here’s the city’s official rundown on what’s happening and where things are going to get a little crazy, including a two-hour Alaskan Way Viaduct closure Sunday morning:Read More
We’ve already mentioned this in quick bulletins on Twitter (@westseattleblog) and Facebook (WS Blog) — but it may take a while for traffic flow to get back to normal so we’ll post it here too – a three-car crash is slowing traffic on southbound 99 right before the West Seattle exit. Thanks to Nichole Taylor for sending photos (the one above shows 2 of the vehicles; none of them looked too badly crunched); the 911 log says fire crews have cleared out so things should get better soon.
(from the map on the city webpage for this project)
From SDOT – they’ve been warning that East Duwamish Waterway Bridge work was about to start, and now we have word that lane closures, between the West Seattle “low bridge” and the downtown waterfront, will start tomorrow – read on for the latest announcement:Read More
WSDOT says a truck in trouble is blocking the ramp from the West Seattle Bridge to northbound I-5 — and the cameras on our Traffic page verify a backup on the eastbound bridge as a result. 4:40 PM UPDATE: WSDOT says the truck’s been cleared to the shoulder, so the backup should start easing.
Brighter nights ahead – but in the short run, some slower going, according to this SDOT traffic alert (which we’ll link to our Events calendar for reminders when the weekend arrives):
This weekend, April 4 and 5, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) crews will assist Seattle City Light crews while they work on the overhead lighting of the Spokane Street Viaduct between I–5 and First Avenue South. The work will require lane closures. SDOT will close the right westbound lane from 12 midnight on Friday to 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 4. The next night, from 12 midnight on Saturday to 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 5, the right lane eastbound will be closed. Motorists should use extra caution through the work zones.
The I-5 and 1st Avenue South projects both have updates – we’ve mentioned them before but these are the very latest status checks forwarded by SDOT:Read More
As reported here on Saturday, this weekend’s Alaskan Way Viaduct 
shutdowns were for more than the semiannual inspection — lanes were restriped, soil samples were taken for the proposed tunnel, and more. And now – WSDOT sends word, The Viaduct is officially open again – and the Battery Street Tunnel has reopened early too.
Reminder – It’s twice-yearly inspection time for the Battery Street Tunnel and Alaskan Way Viaduct; the tunnel was scheduled to close as of 11 pm tonight and stay closed till 5 am Monday; The Viaduct is to be closed 6 am-6 pm both Saturday and Sunday.
That’s according to Deborra, who has a good view of it from downtown. There was construction work south of the West Seattle exit, but it was supposed to be done by 3:30, so not entirely sure that’s it – just know that heading southbound on 99 will take you longer, if you’re leaving any time soon. 5:35 PM UPDATE: SDOT sends this advisory – it IS related to the road work:
SDOT is working to address traffic backups on southbound Highway 99 this afternoon.
A contractor making emergency repairs on East Marginal Way South (Highway 99) had his crews off the street before 3:30 p.m. as required by his city permit; however, two traffic lanes were left closed to allow pavement to cure, resulting in traffic backups through downtown Seattle.
One lane was opened at 5 p.m., and the third lane is to be opened before 6 p.m.
Good news, the lighting at the I-5/West Seattle Bridge (Spokane Street) interchange is getting improvements. Semi-bad news in the short run, that means some ramp closures. They may not all affect you since some are from Columbian Way (the Beacon Hill end), but here’s the full list just in case:Read More
Many West Seattleites use this route, so we’re sharing the alert – full news release, ahead:Read More
The next semi-annual inspection shutdown weekend for the Alaskan Way Viaduct is March 21-22, according to an e-mail update that just arrived from WSDOT. Here are the specifics: Closed 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, with the Battery Street Tunnel scheduled for continuous shutdown 11 pm Friday 3/20 to 5 am Monday 3/23. They’re also offering walking tours of The Viaduct on Saturday morning 3/21, by reservation – e-mail viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov, or call 888–AWV–LINE (first-come, first-served).
Thanks to Nick for e-mailing to share the news that this sinkhole has opened in the middle of the Seaview straightaway section of 48th SW, at Graham (map). As you can see, it’s been blocked off, but this is right smack in the middle of a 2-lane, 2-way arterial, so best to be forewarned to slow down if you use that road.
A crash on the eastbound stretch of The Bridge has been slowing traffic heading out of West Seattle – thanks to everyone who has e-mailed us about this. (Refresh for the latest visual from the traffic cam above; more cams on the WSB Traffic page; looks like it’s finally clearing.)
A major crash (check the cam here) has WSDOT warning that all southbound lanes are blocked:
A police investigation continues to block all lanes of southbound I-5 at Pine Street in Seattle. Traffic is currently getting by on the right shoulder. All exits on the express lanes are open to all traffic. Washington State Patrol, fire, aid and Seattle Police are on scene.
Just in case you’re heading that way or you happen to be on the other side of this and about to head THIS way, we thought we’d better share. (Added: Thanks to Scott B for sharing this link; KIRO says it started with a pursuit following an Eastside carjacking; there’s a closer photo on the KOMO site.) 1:36 PM NOTE: WSDOT sent an update – 2 SB lanes now getting by on the right shoulder.
Just in from SDOT – read ahead for the full alert:Read More
Just in from SDOT:
Thursday, February 5, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will close the right lane eastbound on the West Seattle High Level Bridge from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. During the two and half hour closure, a SDOT crew will inspect the sign bridge, the overhead structure on which the directional traffic signs are mounted.
Side note if you routinely drive through South Park – SDOT also has sent word that 14th/Cloverdale (map) will be closed all weekend for pavement work, 6 pm Friday till no later than 10 pm Sunday.
Just out of the inbox: “SDOT plans to close the lefthand, eastbound lane tomorrow (Tuesday January 27) from 12:00 noon to 2 p.m. During this closure a broken water line to a fire hydrant will be inspected.” A couple more bridge notes from Seattle City Light, by the way – they are still working on the street lights and SCL’s Mike Eagan tells WSB the ones on the Spokane Street Viaduct stretch (east of 99) should be done “within a week or two,” while burned-out Alaskan Way Viaduct lights will be fixed “during the next scheduled closure.”
From the Washington State Ferries service bulletins: “The Klahowya is currently 15 minutes behind schedule due to a Coast Guard request for vessel assistance. This will affect the 4:05pm from Southworth, the 4:40pm from Fauntleroy and possibly later sailings.” According to WSF Vessel Watch, the Klahowya is at or near the Vashon dock right now; we’ve got a call out to the Coast Guard to ask what’s up.
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