West Seattle, Washington
11 Monday
The northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct is blocked right now by a two-car crash, and officers are blocking all onramps to NB 99, including the one from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. No word how long it’ll take to clear. 3:56 AM UPDATE: Took about an hour – the scene is now clear and The Viaduct is open again.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 25In 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.
(Wednesday rainbow courtesy of Jerry at JetCityOrange)
Another one of those weekend traffic alerts to share from SDOT – and this one includes two West Seattle events, the Evergreen State Barbecue Championships on Alki (no roads closed but you’ll see barbecuers lining the boardwalk starting Friday night and running till Sunday evening) and the West Seattle Junction Car Show (co-sponsored by WSB) on Sunday (closing California SW from Genesee to Edmunds, and Alaska from 42nd to 44th). Here’s the full alert:Read More
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.
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.
Just in from the King County Department of Transportation:
The King County Road Services Division will close the South Park Bridge over the Duwamish River on 14th/16th Avenue South this Saturday, Aug. 29 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for repairs. The bridge will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic over the bridge and to large marine vessels on the water.
The repairs involve drawbridge alignment – more details here.
Heading back from Mayor Nickels’ news conference at City Hall, WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli sent this photo from a one-car crash that’s backing up westbound traffic on The Bridge. No medic units involved, per 911, so it appears no one was seriously hurt. Note the tow truck in the photo, which means it should clear soon.
Added at 5:39 Here’s a closer shot that more clearly illustrates how the vehicle hit the barrier:
If you’re heading toward West Seattle soon – or know someone who is – note that a crash has led police to close off the West Seattle Bridge, westbound, near the Fauntleroy end – traffic is being diverted off at the Admiral exit. No details so far on how serious the crash is.
Emergency crews are at the scene of a crash on the eastbound side of The Bridge. No details except for one warning if you’re thinking of heading that way – DON’T. Our tipster hasn’t even made it past the Delridge onramp yet and traffic is at a standstill. 10:02 AM UPDATE: It’s a two-car crash. At least one person hurt, but being transported by private ambulance, which usually means “not life-threatening.” The cars are blocking the exit lane to 99 and the bus lane right at the top of the highrise. Everything’s moving smoothly once you get past it. 11:24 AM NOTE: As you can see in the “live” pic from the traffic cam, all’s clear now.
Just got this note from the folks working on the various Alaskan Way Viaduct-related projects:
On Wednesday (July 22) crews will close the far right lane of northbound SR 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and the Railroad Way S. ramps from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Thursday (July 23) crews will close the far right lane of southbound SR 99 between the Railroad Way S. ramps and the West Seattle Bridge from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
This is related to the South End Replacement work – more info here.
ADDED 4:14 PM: And we’ve received two reminders that the northbound lanes of The Viaduct are closed for two hours Saturday night because of the Seafair Torchlight Run – 5:45-7:45 pm.
No other details of the crash but you’ll want to avoid that area north of Morgan Junction for a while – already tends to be slow, especially southbound, heading into the construction zone. 6:56 PM UPDATE: The crash scene is clear now. Adding photo(s). We have no official information on this yet but several witness accounts say a car and bicycle collided. ADDED 7:35 PM: Here’s a photo that Chas Redmond shares, showing medics firefighters tending to the bicyclist:
If you will be using lower Spokane Street 7 pm-5 am for any or all of the next five nights, note that the westbound traffic will be detoured into the currently closed eastbound lanes between 1st and 2nd (map) because of utility work related to the ongoing construction project. Police will direct traffic. SDOT adds, “Eastbound local access between 1st and 2nd will continue to be provided as needed.”
Quoting one driver’s frustrated note a short time ago on Twitter, “Seven minutes to get through Fauntleroy and California!” (map) That’s because as previewed last week, the Fauntleroy Way road-rebuilding work has revved up again today. At the aforementioned intersection, this means traffic’s down to 1 lane each way, and it also means you can’t use the north entrance to West Seattle Thriftway during work hours:
(The store’s west and east entrances are open as usual.) As per the city bulletin from last week, grinding work is also happening on the eastbound lanes further north along the road-rebuilding stretch, which runs all the way to SW Edmunds. The official city project-info/overview/updates page is here; the project is expected to continue into October, but the Fauntleroy/California work that started up again today is supposed to be done by the end of the week, “weather permitting,” per SDOT.
(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
| Comments Off on Traffic alert for early-morning drivers: Crash closes NB Viaduct