West Seattle, Washington
04 Saturday
(Project zone map provided last month by SPU)
3:24 PM: Last month, we published first word of a water-main project in the Admiral area, with a note that the work would eventually affect travel on SW Admiral Way. That phase is about to start – here’s the update from Seattle Public Utilities:
Starting May 27, SPU contractor crews will begin construction activities on the northwest corner of the intersection at SW Admiral Way and 39th Ave SW. This work is part of a water-main replacement project taking place on 39th Ave SW between SW Grayson St and SW Admiral Way.
While crews are performing work on SW Admiral Way, the two westbound lanes will be closed during working hours between 38th Ave SW and just east of 39th Ave SW. Two-way traffic will be maintained using the two open eastbound lanes. Northbound traffic on 38th Ave SW and 39th Ave SW will not be able to turn left onto SW Admiral Way while traffic controls are in place.
Residents will continue to have pedestrian access to their homes, and roadways will be open outside of working hours. However, site restoration may require a longer closure of 39th Ave SW and SW Admiral Way of up to 3 days to allow the pavement to cure. Residents and commuters are asked to please pay attention to on-site signage and staff direction to support safe movement around the construction site.
Normal working hours will continue to be Monday through Friday, 7 am to 5 pm. There will be a brief pause in construction activities Friday, May 28 – Monday, May 31 for the Memorial Day holiday.
Work on SW Admiral Way is anticipated to take about two weeks to complete, and the contractor is scheduled to finish work at this site and demobilize in mid-June.
6:11 PM: Two readers said the work at Admiral/39th is already under way. So we asked SPU if the timetable had accelerated. They checked with their on-site team and then sent us this:
Update: Starting (today), there will be intermittent lane restrictions on SW Admiral Way at 39th Ave SW. On Thursday, May 27, crews will close two lanes of traffic on SW Admiral Way to perform water main connection work at the intersection. Crews will re-open SW Admiral Way after work on Thursday and return after the Memorial Day holiday to install hydrants and perform final pavement restoration over the next few weeks. SPU crews are working to minimize impacts to residents and commuters to the extent possible.
6:03 AM: Good morning. Cloudy again today, but the holiday weekend forecast is looking ever-better – near 80!
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan, with work closing the west side of the intersection closure at Delridge/Barton/Henderson:
One change, though – overnight paving just south of the West Seattle Bridge is postponed until drier weather.
SW Yancy – This drainage/utility work east of Avalon has about two more weeks to go.
FERRIES/BUSES
Regular schedules today. (Watch @kcmetrobus for word of any bus cancellations, @wsferries for any major WSF changes.) The West Seattle Water Taxi will run on a reduced schedule Memorial Day – see it here.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
429th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 20th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:03 AM: Good morning. Cloudy and cool today, but the sun’s due back before the holiday weekend. Thanks to Stephen Sills for the photo from Sunday’s xunset:
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan, with major work toward both ends of Delridge – a partial intersection closure at Delridge/Barton/Henderson, and paving just south of the Wewt Seattle Bridge.
SW Yancy – This drainage/utility work east of Avalon has about two more weeks to go.
FERRIES/BUSES
Regular schedules today. (Watch @kcmetrobus for word of any bus cancellations, @wsferries for any major WSF changes.)
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
428th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 20th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
As mentioned in this morning’s traffic roundup, the Delridge Way road-and-utility project preparing for the RapidRide H Line will close part of the Barton/Henderson/Delridge intersection for up to three weeks starting Monday. The full weekly update is in – here’s the map:
The advisory says, “SW Barton Pl will be closed from 21st Ave SW to Delridge Way SW (see map above). During this closure, the 21st Ave SW slip lane will be closed. 21st Ave SW between SW Barton Pl will only have access from SW Barton St. Please use SW Trenton St or SW Roxbury St to detour around this closure.” Metro has reroutes, too – Routes 60, 120, and 125 will be affected; the specific reroute plans are linked here.
Other focuses for the week ahead, per SDOT:
Landscaping and irrigation installation continues throughout the corridor
Zone A (West Seattle Bridge to SW Findlay St)
Paving work between the West Seattle Bridge and SW Dakota St will start overnight on Monday, May 24
Zone B (SW Findlay St to north of SW Orchard St)
Restoration between SW Willow St and SW Orchard St continues (east side)
Zone C (SW Orchard St to SW Roxbury St)
Roadwork demolition and paving to on the east side between SW Holden St and SW Thistle St Continues 
Bus stop upgrades continue near SW Thistle St and SW Trenton St (west side)
The full preview for all work zones next week is here.
6:03 AM: Good morning. Sunshine expected today, and 60s.
BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY
Today is the former “Bike to Work Day.” As previewed here, West Seattle Bike Connections is hosting a “commute station” along the trail under the bridge through 9 am today.
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan. Later today, we’ll get next week’s preview. We’ll be asking the project team this morning about the alert we saw on a roadside message board Thursday – SW Henderson closed at the Delridge/Barton/Henderson intersection May 24th (Monday) through mid-June.
SW Yancy – This drainage/utility work east of Avalon has about three more weeks to go.
FERRIES/BUSES
Regular schedules today.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
424th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. (The repair contractor’s just been chosen.) Here are the views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 19th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:12 AM: Good morning. Cooler than normal today, and possibly some showers.
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan.
SW Yancy – We have an update on this drainage/utility work east of Avalon – three more weeks.
FERRIES/BUSES
Regular schedules today.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
423rd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. (The repair contractor’s just been chosen.) Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 19th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
We’ve been following up on the SW Yancy closure east of Avalon Way, severing a busy route to and from businesses including West Seattle Athletic Club, among other destinations. The road’s been closed because of utility/drainage work related to the supportive-housing complex that Transitional Resources is building at 2821 SW Yancy. When last we checked, construction firm Buchanan General Contracting cited “design delays” for stretching out the work beyond its expected completion date last month. Today they have an update on the work:
We sincerely apologize for the extended closures and delays. The first half of the street will be repaved on May 22nd. Seattle Public Utilities rescheduled the water main connection to May 29th, grading will happen the following week, and paving for the rest of the street will be completed June 9th.
So – three more weeks to go. Transitional Resources says the apartments themselves are expected to open early August.
(Photos courtesy senior project superintendent Matthew Olinger)
9:42 AM: As we’ve been reporting, including in the morning traffic alerts, today is takedown day for what’s currently the only tower crane still up in West Seattle, at 1250 Alki SW. That’s further restricted traffic past the site today – alternating use of one lane, so if you absolutely have to go through that area, allow yourself extra time. This crane’s been up for almost exactly one year for construction of the Infinity Shore Club condos. We’ll update the removal progress later today.
2:22 PM: Update and new photo from the project team: the crane’s down –
They’re loading out now and expect to have the street back to 2-way by 5 pm.
6:03 AM: Good morning. Mixed weather outlook again today.
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Alki Avenue SW – All day today, the crane at 1250 Alki SW is scheduled to be taken down, so the street will be one lane, alternating, at times.
Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan.
FERRIES/BUSES
Regular schedules today.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
422nd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. (Repair contractor proposals are scheduled to be opened today.) Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 19th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:07 AM: Good morning. Blustery weather expected today.
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan, and progress reports for work zones like the intersections with Orchard and Thistle.
Alki Avenue SW – All day Wednesday, the crane at 1250 Alki SW is expected to be taken down, so the street will be one lane, alternating, at times.
I-5 FYI – A year-long project on northbound I-5 through downtown has begun; WSDOT says work will be done at night to reduce impacts.
FERRIES/BUSES
Regular schedules today.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
421st morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 19th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are now available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
(2020 photo by Lynn Hall)(WSB photo)
After Wednesday, West Seattle will be without a tower crane. The only one currently in use, at the 1250 Alki Avenue SW project, is coming down that day. The alert from the project team says:
Traffic setup will be on the morning of the 19th and we expect to be completed by 6:00 PM. Due to alternating single-lane usage, vehicle traffic should expect minor delays and will be limited throughout the day of the dismantle.
The crane went up a year ago for construction of Infinity Shore Club Residences, 37 luxury condos.
6:07 AM: Good morning. Rainy, breezy weather on the way.
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan, and progress reports on work zones like the intersections with Orchard and Thistle.
I-5 FYI – A year-long project on northbound I-5 through downtown starss tonight; WSDOT says work will be done at night to reduce impacts.
FERRIES/BUSES
Regular schedules today.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
420th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 19th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are now available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
SDOT’s preview of what’s ahead for the next week of work in the Delridge RapidRide H Line preps project is in. Key locations:
Landscaping and irrigation installation continues throughout the corridor
Asphalt overlay paving between the West Seattle Bridge and SW Dakota St scheduled to begin as early as May 24.
This work will happen between 7 PM and 6 AM
Residents and businesses will be notified in advance of any impacts to their access
Electrical utility upgrades at the intersection of SW Findlay St and Delridge Way SW delayed
We will provide additional details about this work and notify residents and businesses of any potential impacts prior to this work starting
Roadway upgrades at SW Orchard St and Delridge Way SW nearly complete
This week, we will begin installing vehicle-detection loops at the intersection
Roadway upgrades at 21st Ave SW and Delridge Way SW nearly complete
21st Ave SW has reopened to traffic
Demolition between SW Holden St and SW Thistle St was completed last week
We will now upgrade underground electrical utilities in the area
Parking will be restricted while this work takes place
A reader asked when SW Thistle will reopen east of Delridge; before Memorial Day, SDOT replied. The full list of work zones for the week ahead is here.
6:12 AM: Good morning. More sunshine!
ROAD WORK UPDATES
West Marginal Way – SDOT says the sidewalk work on the west side of the street north of the Duwamish Tribe longhouse will happen this weekend and next – work hours 8 am-3 pm.
35th/Graham – The work zone has expanded into both southbound lanes of 35th at Graham, so it’s one lane each way using the northbound side.
Delridge project – This week’s plan spotlights the 21st/Delridge closure and says Delridge/Orchard is close to completion. Next week’s update should arrive later today.
SW Yancy east of Avalon – Still closed for utility work related to housing construction.
FERRIES/BUSES
Washington State Ferries is delaying the return to 3-boat service on the Triangle Route until June.
The West Seattle Water Taxi continues on its spring/summer schedule – all day, 7 days a week, plus Friday and Saturday evenings; the free 773 and 775 shuttles are running daily too.
Metro is on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
417th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 18th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are now available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:07 AM: Good morning. Partly sunny forecast today.
ROAD WORK UPDATES
West Marginal Way – SDOT says the sidewalk work on the west side of the street north of the Duwamish Tribe longhouse will happen this weekend and next
35th/Graham – The work zone has expanded into both southbound lanes of 35th at Graham, so it’s one lane each way using the northbound side.
Fauntleroy/Juneau – Lane-reducing work here
Delridge project – This week’s plan spotlights the 21st/Delridge closure and says the end is in sight for Delridge/Orchard.
SW Yancy east of Avalon – Still closed for utility work related to housing construction.
FERRIES/BUSES
Washington State Ferries is delaying the return to 3-boat service on the Triangle Route for at least another month.
The West Seattle Water Taxi continues on its spring/summer schedule – all day, 7 days a week, plus Friday and Saturday evenings; the free 773 and 775 shuttles are running daily too.
Metro is on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
416th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 18th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are now available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
(Weather phenomenon as seen Tuesday evening from Alki – photo by Hana Alishio)
Notes for the day:
SIDEWALK DINING/SHOPPING: As previewed here, the City Council Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee meeting at 9:30 am includes discussion of extending these free permits until next May, and maybe making expanded sidewalk/curb-space shopping/dining permanent. The agenda includes viewing information.
STORY TIME: We’ve been including Seattle Public Library events in our calendar – including story times. Today preschoolers and toddlers can watch/listen at 10 am; here’s how.
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE: Noon meeting, online. Awaiting the agenda, but you can expect a variety of bridge-related briefings. You can watch the livestream here.
DROP-IN WRITING CIRCLE: In pre-pandemic times, this Seattle Public Library event was usually held in West Seattle. 6 pm tonight, writers can attend from anywhere. Here’s how.
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm meeting, online, for our area’s largest political organization. Go here to register for the link to participate.
6:59 AM: Good morning. If you’re just getting going, you missed major early-morning problems, now both resolved. So it’s on with our regular traffic watch
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
415th morning without the West Seattle Bridge:
Low Bridge: Open again after “mechanical trouble” kept it closed to all modes of traffic all night. We’re following up with SDOT to find out what went wrong. Here’s a low-bridge view:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way – The early-morning crash that closed West Marginal has cleared.
1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
TRANSIT
Buses – Metro has just returned to regular routing after rerouting to the 1st Avenue S. Bridge during the low-bridge closure.
Ferries – The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth WSF route is back to 2 boats after 1 boat was taken out of service last night for crew shortage.
The West Seattle Water Taxi continues on its spring/summer schedule – all day, 7 days a week, plus Friday and Saturday evenings; the free 773 and 775 shuttles are running daily too.
TRAFFIC CAMERAS
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
5 AM: Another complication to early-morning traffic – a crash on West Marginal Way. Witnesses say it’s a flipped-car crash. It’s logged in the 5400 block of West Marginal [map]. Police and fire are on scene. SDOT says West Marginal is blocked both ways right now.
5:21 AM: SFD has had to shuffle assignment of medical resources because of the low-bridge outage. In dispatching an added unit, the description of the original crash report was that a car hit a pole, overturned, and caught fire. We don’t know yet about injuries. SPD is calling for an SDOT crew to clean up “foam and debris all over the roadway.”
5:40 AM: Police have just told dispatch they hope to have the southbound lanes reopened “in about five minutes.”
6:15 AM: SDOT says the scene is now completely cleared.
8:10 AM: From the preliminary police summary:
Patrol responded to the report of a vehicle colliding into a pole and flipping onto its top. The call was updated that the vehicle was also on fire. SPD and SFD arrived to find the lone occupant out of the vehicle. The pole had sustained severe damage and City Light responded as well. The entire roadway was closed during the response. The driver was found to be impaired and arrested for DUI. City Light determined the pole would need to be replaced and called their team to respond. The replacement would take several hours and require the closure of some lanes. SDOT arrived and took over the lane closures.
We’re asking City Light about the repair status.
10:35 AM: We’ve confirmed with SFD that no one was injured. Also, here’s what SCL’s Julie Moore tells us about the repairs:
We have two crews working on it. We will probably need to shut down the east lane on West Marginal Way and will have flaggers assisting with that. Other impacts (e.g., outages) are unlikely or will be minimal. Estimating approximately 8-10 hours to complete the work.
1:13 AM: If you have to cross the Duwamish soon, don’t head for the low bridge. It’s been closed to surface traffic for more than an hour; SDOT says via Twitter that it’s “mechanical trouble.”
1:30 AM: The bridge had trouble Tuesday afternoon, too.
2:09 AM: Still not open.
4:58 AM: Metro is rerouting buses over the 1st Avenue South Bridge.
5:59 AM: The low bridge is still out of service and SDOT has finally confirmed that means ALL modes – closed to bicyclists and pedestrians as well as motor-vehicle drivers. No word yet on how much longer this is expected to last.
6:51 AM: The low bridge has just reopened.
10:40 AM: Here’s how SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson answered our question about what went wrong:
The Spokane St bridge was closed last night from approximately 11:30 p.m. to 6:45 a.m. due to an intermittent mechanical issue which triggered a safeguard preventing the bridge gates from being opened. This is an intentional safety measure which ensures that people cannot travel over the bridge until the underlying mechanical issue is resolved. Our engineers and maintenance staff worked through the night to complete the immediate work to address the problem and verify that it was safe to reopen the bridge. We are still working to understand the underlying root cause, and determine next steps to ensure that this does not happen again.
4:05 PM: An update from SDOT:
There were two separate mechanical issues which occurred on the Spokane St bridge, both of which triggered the safeguard of closing the bridge gates to the public.
On May 11 at roughly 4:10 pm, the tail lock on the east side of the bridge triggered an alarm, which is related to a known issue with the hydraulic arm that extends/ retracts the locking pin. Engineers and maintenance staff were able to address this issue and reopen the bridge at about 7:00pm. We are planning to address this issue by building a new hydraulic arm, and will also refurbish the existing arm as a backup for future use.
On May 11 at 11:05 pm, a small component within the traffic barrier turning mechanism got stuck preventing the gate from opening. As a safeguard, the gate is programmed to shut down if something is interfering with its normal operations in order to prevent further damage. When the gate shut down, it triggered other control system alarms and safeguards, resulting in all gates from closing. Our engineers and maintenance staff worked through the night to complete the immediate work to address the problem and verify that it was safe to reopen the bridge at about 6:15 a.m.
6:07 AM: Good morning. More sunshine today!
ROAD WORK UPDATES
35th/Graham – The work zone has now expanded into both southbound lanes of 35th at Graham, so it’s one lane each way using the northbound side.
Delridge project – This week’s plan spotlights the 21st/Delridge closure and says the end is in sight for Delridge/Orchard,
SW Yancy east of Avalon – Still closed for utility work related to housing construction.
FERRIES/BUSES
Washington State Ferries is delaying the return to 3-boat service on the Triangle Route for at least another month.
The West Seattle Water Taxi continues on its spring/summer schedule – all day, 7 days a week, plus Friday and Saturday evenings; the free 773 and 775 shuttles are running daily too.
Metro is on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
414th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 18th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are now available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
Thanks for the tip. Police are being dispatched to 6th/Roxbury [map], where a collision has brought down all or part of a tree onto the eastbound side of the road. No traffic cameras in that area, so we’re on our way to look.
10:20 AM: Photo added. Slowdown starts several blocks west.
6:12 AM: Good morning! Lots of sunshine expected this week.
ROAD WORK UPDATES
Delridge project – This week’s plan highlights the 21st/Delridge closure and says the end is in sight for Delridge/Orchard,
35th/Graham – Work continues, with Graham closed on both sides of 35th.
SW Yancy east of Avalon – Still closed for utility work related to housing construction.
FERRIES/BUSES
Washington State Ferries is delaying the return to 3-boat service on the Triangle Route for at least another month.
The West Seattle Water Taxi continues on its spring/summer schedule – all day, 7 days a week, plus Friday and Saturday evenings; the free 773 and 775 shuttles are running daily too.
Metro is on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
413th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 18th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is now open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are now available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-bridge view:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
The intersection of 21st SW and Delridge Way (map here, and above) is one of the work sites spotlighted in SDOT’s newest weekly update on the repaving-and-utilities project preparing for the RapidRide H Line conversion. Here are the key points:
New work
Yesterday, we started demolishing the intersection where 21st Ave SW meets Delridge Way SW. We’ve placed signage at the top of the hill indicating the road closure/local access only for residents where SW Holden St meets 20th Ave SW, as well as for the slip lane that connects with the 21st Ave SW hill (approximate locations here). We will continue upgrading this intersection through next week, with a goal of reopening the area to traffic soon.
Continuing work
Later this month, we will seal cracks in the roadway in North Delridge where we recently completed milling the road. Paving is still scheduled for the week of May 24.
We are finishing upgrading the third quadrant of the SW Orchard St intersection this week. We will plan to begin upgrading the final quadrant of the intersection next week.
We will resume electrical upgrades on the east side of Delridge Way SW between SW Holden St and SW Thistle St. We will need to demolish and trench the roadway in front of the properties in this area, but will maintain access in and out of driveways with steel plates. People driving may experience a slightly shifted traffic pattern in this area.
Those are the highlights, but there’s more work under way – see the full weekly update here.
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