West Seattle, Washington
23 Thursday
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:55 AM: No major incidents so far. One note for on-peninsula driving – Mayor McGinn has announced that the grace (warnings only) period is extended for the city’s four speed cameras in school zones, including the one on Fauntleroy Way near Gatewood Elementary, till December 10th. His news release from yesterday (read it here) says the cameras already have led to almost 6,000 warnings.
ADDED 9:21 AM: Suggestion for West Seattle bus riders, via Twitter:
Just got on the 21X: Faster, less crowded and at a normal interior temperature. Vastly superior to C Line cc: @kcmetrobus @westseattleblog
— Paul Balcerak (@paulbalcerak) November 29, 2012
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Another quiet start to the commute. However – if you can see the moon to the west – note that a “subtle” type of eclipse is under way right now; here’s an explanation.
7:10 AM: The moon’s finally going out of range. Still dry outside, but rain is expected to start before this afternoon.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Especially if you’re just plugging back in after the long holiday weekend, three notes:
‘BIKE BOX’ IN PLACE ON ANDOVER WEST OF DELRIDGE: Here’s our Sunday afternoon report about the just-installed road feature.
GATEWOOD SPEED CAM TO START TICKETING: Today’s the day the grace period for the camera in the school zone on Fauntleroy near Gatewood Elementary is officially over, per the city.
ROAD WORK TO RESUME: Today is also the day the county is to resume work in Westwood related to the Route 120 bus line.
ADDED 10:30 AM: Emergency crews are responding to an incident that’s on the 911 log as “Northbound I-5 at Spokane,” so if you’re experiencing eastbound bridge, or I-5 in the area, slowness, that might be it.
ADDED 2:44 PM: The above-mentioned road work in Westwood is now pushed back another two weeks.
ADDED 4:51 PM: Metro will be out in four West Seattle locations to talk with bus riders – details here.
5:36 PM: If you’re headed down 1st through SODO to get to the West Seattle Bridge – Jana reports a crash – so it might be slower going than usual.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
The day after Thanksgiving isn’t a day off for everybody, so we’re publishing a traffic/transit tracker. Here are today’s transit notes:
-Metro is on a “reduced weekday” schedule
-No Water Taxi until Monday
-Sound Transit Express buses are on a regular weekday schedule
Remember that the Macy’s Holiday Parade is happening downtown starting at 9 am, so there are street closures on and near its route (which the Macy’s website says starts “at 7th and Pine, then travel(s) west down Pine St. to 5th Avenue, south on 5th Avenue to University Street, west on University to 4th Avenue, and then north on 4th to Macy’s doorstep”).
And if you are going to a neighborhood with pay stations/meters for street parking – today is NOT a “free parking day,” so be sure to pay!
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
More rain overnight. And it’s windy right now – a short-term burst of nasty weather, says the National Weather Service. But that’s it for problems, at the moment. BUS ALERT: Metro will be on its Sunday schedule tomorrow (Thanksgiving Day) and “reduced weekday” schedule for Friday.
7:04 AM NOTE: In case you work to the south (or have other business there this morning), we should note there’s a power outage right now in parts of Burien, Boulevard Park, and Seatac. See the boundaries on the Seattle City Light website.
1:56 PM: If you are heading toward Ballard, note that a crash has blocked all northbound lanes of the Ballard Bridge, so you’ll want to take an alternate route, maybe through Fremont, or westbound from Wallingford/U District off I-5.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
No rain this morning – though more is on the way later today – so the morning commute might not be so bad. Please let us know if you encounter any holdover standing-water trouble spots – and thank you for the many updates and photos shared during yesterday’s storminess (text or voice, 206-293-6302 any time, or all the other ways listed here).
(SCROLL DOWN for newest updates – we’re out checking on trouble spots too)
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:33 AM: Rain is the big challenge this morning – and deep water is causing trouble on at least two ramps, according to Twitter reports – Delridge to the bridge, and bridge to 99. Lots of water on the roads everywhere we’ve driven. We’re monitoring trouble spots as always.
6:54 AM: A commenter says the ramp from the bridge to I-5 is developing deep-water trouble too. And even if you’re just walking outside your home, beware – our crew just back from an early-morning fire scene found a parking strip with ankle-deep, shoe-filling water. An urban/small-stream flood advisory is in effect all day – into the evening commute – for the entire county, with the possibility of up to 2 inches of rain.
7:33 AM: More reports in comments about water woes around the peninsula – including Fauntleroy and Raymond, a perennial trouble spot, and 35th/Avalon. Our friends at KING 5, who have had crews roving, mentioned a 35th/Barton puddle too.
7:55 AM: From onboard a bus:
The #RapidRide I’m on is leaking from the roof.. @westseattleblog@kcmetrobus
— laurenlovesbecca (@_laurez_) November 19, 2012
8:24 AM: Out roving now. Delridge has many spots with serious puddling, including at Myrtle and just south of Webster. Mary just sent us a photo of someone working to clear out the ramp “lake” by the bridge:
8:39 AM: Another sign of a serious storm: The combined-sewer overflow at Barton (north of the Fauntleroy ferry) is discharging. You can check the CSO status in ‘real time’ on this county webpage. Around the area, efforts continue to reduce the need for those overflows by catching stormwater in other ways. We were reminded of that while just passing the stretch of 26th SW in North Delridge that is getting bioswales – not ready in time for this storm, but some of the holes are dug.
(Minutes later …) We’re checking Longfellow Creek by the Allstar Fitness lot, where water is spouting up from one manhole on the south side.
9:18 AM: Along Alki, some curbside overflow, and downtown is hard to see from Seacrest:
Along Alki and along Delridge (where the next photo was taken), we’re continuing to see people braving the rain to clear the storm drains and reduce puddling:
Seattle Public Utilities is responsible for the storm drains but can’t do it all, so citizen help is appreciated if you can do it safely. If not, or if you see a big road problem that only the city could address, here’s the number to call: (206) 386-1800.
10:46 AM: Beach Drive has a huge “pond” in the 4800 block, alongside the historic Satterlee House’s big front lawn, and a few blocks south, Lisa Dawson tweeted this mini-geyser photo from the 5400 block:
Keep us posted on what you’re seeking – we’ll be watching it all day long, and today we will likely open a separate story for the PM commute around mid-afternoon, rather than keeping this one running.
10:58 AM UPDATE: There’s now a power outage reported in the heart of the White Center business district – 65 “customers” (one customer = one business or home) affected so far. Meander’s sent word they’re affected; we’ll be checking on the range. (Added) Here’s how it’s shown on the City Light map:
11:53 AM UPDATE: Brian sends word that if you’re going to Westwood Village, “Bring your life raft… or at the very least rubber rain boots. The parking lot isn’t draining in Westwood”:
He took that photo in the lot by Starbucks and Big 5. Meantime, after a few other quick news updates, we’ll be launching afternoon coverage shortly.
(Refresh for newest image from WSDOT’s camera @ Fauntleroy ferry dock, a fixture on the WSB Traffic page)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:16 AM: On a busy pre-holiday weekend, this might have even more impact than it would otherwise, so please note that Washington State Ferries just announced that the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is down to two boats because the Sealth needs repairs. No estimate yet for how long that’ll take. P.S. If you’re at or near the terminal, a reminder that, as noted in our daily preview, the organization CoolMom is distributing information there later today about reducing emissions by keeping vehicle engines off while waiting.
5:49 PM UPDATE: The run is back to 3 boats as of late this afternoon.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:59 AM: The fog rolled in very early this morning and is still here – so keep that in mind as you get ready to head out. Here’s one warning, via Twitter:
@westseattleblog The WSB is crazy foggy, esp. E-bound to and then onto 99N. At times about 100yrds. visability. Drivers take care/b safe.
— bodanzarama (@bodanzarama) November 16, 2012
No other challenges so far.
8:15 AM: Might be a little bumpy on the 1st Avenue South Bridge – a crash reported southbound:
Looks like there is a collision on SB 1st Ave South Bridge, blocking the 2 right lanes. twitpic.com/bdq9ae
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) November 16, 2012
Speaking of bridges – we covered last night’s South Park Bridge update meeting for our partner site The South Park News; here’s the story.
8:23 AM: 1st Avenue South Bridge problem is now down to 1 lane, per WSDOT.
5:15 PM: Traffic’s ugly out there right now, according to multiple sources: Eastbound West Seattle Bridge and surface 1st Avenue have both been mentioned. Nothing obvious on the 911 log at this point. The city’s advisory mentions only one event of note tonight: Red Hot Chili Peppers at KeyArena.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:42 AM: One week till Thanksgiving. Another rainless morning for your commute; nothing to report in or near West Seattle as we start out.
7:03 AM: Fog is advancing from the west, so unless it suddenly stops, at least part of the peninsula is likely to be socked in soon.
8:16 AM: The fog has stopped short of “socked in,” at least so far – and right now, the bridge cam is positively basking in sunshine. Meantime, a reminder: If you’re interested in firsthand information on the status of the new South Park Bridge, there’s a meeting tonight at 7 pm in SP – details here.
9:08 AM: Pioneer Square/International District alert, especially if you drive in via 4th – there’s a semi/bus crash at 4th and Jackson that is said to be causing “traffic delays.” No injuries reported so far.
9:21 AM NOTE: The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council just announced that transit is its focus at next week’s monthly meeting – if you have safety issues regarding transit and the recent changes, be there. Details here.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:37 AM: Watching Twitter, TV, and other streams, we’re not seeing anything of note in our area so far. No rain, either.
8:32 AM: SDOT reports via Twitter that the Battery Street Tunnel is closed southbound. (Fixing a Jersey-barrier problem, according to a passerby’s Twitter report to our friends at KING 5.)
8:42 AM: Reopened.
NOTE: The road work that was supposed to start today in Westwood, related to Metro improvements, is now postponed till after Thanksgiving. Here’s the county announcement we published last night.
4:32 PM UPDATE: If you use the RapidRide station at Morgan Junction (California/Fauntleroy) and have noticed the “refer to schedule” sign – Metro says it’s been working on fixing it (see the comment section on this story), and just updated one local rider via e-mail that “the sign should be fixed shortly” – it was a “wireless communication problem.”
An update late today from the county, regarding what’s next for bus-related road and sidewalk work in the Westwood Village area. Instead of starting today, the next phase of the project is pushed back till after Thanksgiving:
King County Metro Transit is adjusting the schedule for the next round of construction in West Seattle, starting bus zone and sidewalk improvements Nov. 26 and focusing work on the south side of Southwest Barton Street.
The project builds improvements that will help pedestrians and bus riders for Route 120 – one of Metro’s top 10 busiest routes. Three to four weeks of construction are expected on the south side of the intersection of Southwest Barton Street and 26th Avenue Southwest just south of Westwood Village. Work on pedestrian improvements on the north side of the intersection is scheduled to begin after Jan. 1.
The updated construction timeline works around the contractor’s schedule, as well as traffic expected during the upcoming holiday season. Once work begins, a flagger and uniformed police officer will ensure traffic flows reliably around the work zone.
Crews plan to build a “bus bulb” – sidewalk extensions that allow buses to serve passengers without pulling out of traffic – on the southeast corner of the intersection.
(No Bridge camera working right now, so here’s the Viaduct! See other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Apologies for the delayed appearance of the daily traffic/transit tracker – no major trouble so far this morning; we’ll keep watch for the rest of the day. For bus riders, note that today is the scheduled start of more evening changes – additional RapidRide runs, and changed “schedule instructions,” as announced last week – so we’ll be interested to hear how the commute home goes.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:35 AM: Nothing to report as the day gets going – except that, as forecast, it’s in the 30s right now, 35 degrees at Boeing Field (usually comparable to West Seattle temps) at 6 am.
7:32 AM: Just went out to see if that meant ice on the windshield – and yes, there’s a light coat of ice on ours, so you might need the scraper today.
9:49 AM: There’s been a snag on the eastbound bridge for a while, with a semi blocking the right lane at the 99 overpass – but the city says it’s cleared.
12:09 PM: A note from Washington State Ferries:
There will be a temporary capacity reduction on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route starting after this evening’s commute and prior to the beginning of service tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 10. The 90-car Sealth will replace the 124-car Issaquah for approximately one week while larger vessels are out of service for routine maintenance. The galley on the Sealth will be closed Friday, Nov. 9 and will re-open on Sat., Nov.10, at 7:00 a.m.
Along the Metro Route 120 corridor, work has been under way to boost the busy route’s efficiency, and the county says another round will start in about a week:
King County Metro Transit launches another round of construction in West Seattle next week, focusing on improvements that will help pedestrians and bus riders for Route 120 – one of Metro’s top 10 busiest routes.
Up to eight weeks of work are planned starting as soon as November 13 at the intersection of Southwest Barton Street and 26th Avenue Southwest just south of Westwood Village.
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
10:57 AM: Fire crews are working right now between Fauntleroy Schoolhouse/Church and the Endolyne business district, because a work crew is reported to have cut a gas line at California SW/Brace Point Drive (map). They’ve called in police for traffic control – this is a major route between 35th SW and the ferry dock, too. No injuries reported, and Puget Sound Energy is reported to be on the way.
11:16 AM UPDATE: On the west side of this situation, traffic is blocked at 45th/Wildwood – and that’s affecting at least one Metro bus.
We’re checking on where it’s stopped on the east side. But again, don’t head west on Barton from 35th SW till this is cleared up, if you’re expecting to head to Fauntleroy Church/Y/Schoolhouse, the ferry terminal, or Endolyne businesses.
11:26 AM UPDATE: On the east side of the area where the line was cut, the road is blocked at 42nd/Barton.
12:03 PM UPDATE: Per a comment, pedestrians and cars are “being slowly let through.”
12:11 PM UPDATE: Per the scanner, PSE has turned off the gas, so the Seattle Fire units are clearing. And if you hear/see a helicopter, it’s a TV chopper checking out the scene.
5:29 PM UPDATE: Buses apparently still are not being allowed through, and there’s no update on when that will end.
6:57 PM UPDATE: The bus reroute has just ended, according to Metro.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:34 AM: The morning commute is under way without anything unusual. Remember that we keep this story updated if anything notable happens at ANY point during the day – last night a crash backed up the evening commute home on the West Seattle Bridge, and the daily roundup is where we made note of it. Thanks for your ongoing participation with updates, too!
8:42 AM: Just got a text that a car has crashed into a pole at 35th/Avalon and “cars are backing up.” We’re headed that way to check, since the 911 log doesn’t list anything (which could mean no one’s hurt, or that no one’s been dispatched yet).
9:04 AM: The crash has been cleared – the car that hit the curb/pole managed to drive, with a flat tire, into the Taco Time lot so its driver (and other witnesses, it appeared) could talk with police. No traffic effects.
11:02 AM: The main route between 35th and Fauntleroy Church/Schoolhouse/Y, the ferry terminal, and the Endolyne business district is blocked right now because of a gas leak – details here.
4:05 PM: According to a text from Metro (rider alert, not a media announcement), the incident at California/Brace Point is still affecting buses – specifically Rapid Ride C Line and Sound Transit 560. The alert says “To downtown, use stops WB Roxbury/35th SW or WB Wildwood/45th. To Westwood Village, use stops EB 45th/Barton or EB Barton/35th.”
5:10 PM: Metro says it expects that reroute to last a while. Meantime, Washington State Ferries’ Chelan is out of service, and the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is down to 2 boats. Here’s the 2-boat schedule.
7:01 PM: The Fauntleroy bus rerouting mentioned above is over, and everything’s back on regular run. Also, the ferry route is back to 3 boats.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:05 AM: No big problems reported on the routes from/through/to West Seattle so far. The West Seattle Bridge camera’s back, as you’ll note above; SDOT tells us the other one, which points west, is still awaiting parts. And speaking of the bridge, via Twitter, Dave reports it’s “very slow.”
5:54 PM: The 911 log reports a crash on the westbound bridge, by the Admiral exit. No further details, but we have to head that way ourselves shortly, so might have a firsthand report.
(SDOT camera looking at northbound 99 @ Lander; West Seattle Bridge cams not working currently)
Nothing major reported as the day begins – let us know if you find otherwise. Both West Seattle Bridge cameras are broken again today, and checking the WSB Traffic page, another one in this area is out of commission too – we will follow up with SDOT today to see what’s going on.
TRANSIT REMINDER: As noted here again last night, RapidRide C Line is supposed to get 2 more runs during the evening commute, starting night (and 2 beyond that, starting November 13th).
(SDOT camera looking at northbound 99 @ Lander; West Seattle Bridge cams not working currently)
6:05 AM: An early-morning crash at 1st and Seneca involving a Seattle Police vehicle is blocking the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s Seneca offramp, so among other things, that means a bus reroute, says Metro:
Metro’s Friday AM commute is underway and starts off with Routes 21E, 55, 56E, 57 & RapidRide C & D Lines temporarily rerouted and using 4 Av S into Downtown Seattle due to blockage at the Alaskan Way Viaduct off ramp.
6:42 AM UPDATE: The ramp has now reopened – and Metro says buses are back to their normal routing.
9:47 AM UPDATE: We can of course share your photos from the commute, too, any time – just got this West Seattle Water Taxi view with today’s wonderful sunrise, from Jennifer:
From sunrise/sunset colors, to crowded/uncrowded buses, to weather/traffic scenes, share a photo any time.
3:43 PM UPDATE: There’s a backup on the southbound Viaduct – a truck didn’t make clearance under the lid, according to a photo sent to us by Riley:
5:26 PM: Metro just tweeted that more RapidRide C Line evening runs are coming:
Big gaps between RapidRide buses downtown? Yep. That’s why we’re phasing in more evening C Line trips starting Nov. 5 and 13. Stay tuned.
— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) November 3, 2012
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:58 AM: Nothing major so far. Thanks in advance again for your reports throughout the day.
7:25 AM: From Jana via Twitter: Stalled vehicle on the bridge, and an ambulance. (Update – apparently the ambulance was headed elsewhere, which explains why there’s nothing on the 911 log; the car, however, was stuck at the high-rise, “right at the merge point.”)
8:55 AM: Scanner has word of a possible spinout on southbound 99 near the West Seattle Bridge.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:58 AM: Again today, the rain is the main challenge, with “periods of significant rain” expected, per the National Weather Service‘s flood advisory. No specific obstacles on the main routes from/to/through West Seattle, so far. Note that Seattle Public Schools are out two hours early today.
7:26 AM: Just reported, for those headed this way from points north of downtown on Highway 99, a crash in/near the SOUTHBOUND Battery Street Tunnel.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:54 AM: Once again this morning, the rain is the main challenge as drivers/riders head out – and this may be the rainiest day of the week.
7:24 AM: One report from the bridge, via Twitter – slower going than usual. No incidents reported, so perhaps just the rain.
9:06 AM: Crash just reported southbound 99 at the Battery Street Tunnel. Don’t know yet how many lanes are affected.
9:46 AM UPDATE: Per the scanner, the tunnel is reopening.
11:29 AM UPDATE: Battery St. Tunnel is a hot spot today. Now there’s a crash just south of it, in the NORTHBOUND 99 lanes.
1:10 PM: That’s clear now, by the way. But WSDOT has sent an overall alert for the rest of today and for tomorrow:
Commuters should buckle up and prepare for a long, soggy ride home this afternoon and another wet drive Wednesday morning.
Heavy rain is forecasted in the Puget Sound area and is expected to last through the peak commute times. Drivers should increase their following distance and leave plenty of room to stop on wet roads. With the mix of weather and traffic, some may want to consider adjusting their schedule to leave early or wait to head out until later in the commute.
Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews are working ahead of the weather to keep roadside drains clear of debris, so water doesn’t pool onto the roadway. However, fall leaves are still blowing and drains can clog quickly. Crews will service drains as soon as possible, but drivers should try to avoid standing water on the roadway.
2:02 PM: Battery St. Tunnel yet again – northbound, this time. Also trouble on NB 5 by the Convention Center.
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