West Seattle, Washington
23 Tuesday
6:12 AM: Good morning – the 98th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
The Delridge Way work will mean lane reductions in spots – here are the toplines for this week’s work.
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? Here are the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
If you’re going through South Park, neighbors have a message for you:
South Parkers put up their signs today. This one's on 10th. pic.twitter.com/gRIWy1F58e
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) June 28, 2020
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Some service has been restored – details here.
Water Taxi – Some service has been restored on the WT too, plus the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.
Holiday note – Since July 4th is on Saturday, it’ll be observed Friday – no Water Taxi, and other changes we’ll update as the week goes on.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
(WSB photo of Delridge/Findlay. Yes, businesses ARE open!)
Weekend work is ahead for the Delridge repaving-and-more project that’s readying the corridor for next year’s conversion of Metro Route 120 into the RapidRide H Line. Here’s the weekly preview:
Potholing and stormwater pipe work will continue throughout the corridor in the three work zones listed below.
Starting this Saturday, June 27, we will continue demolition work on the roadway from SW Findlay St to SW Juneau St.
In order to keep West Seattle moving and bring RapidRide service to your community as quickly as possible, weekend work and some night work will be ongoing for the duration of this project. Please plan accordingly for this work. We will notify you in advance of planned night work. Night work hours are from 7 PM to 6 AM. We will be obtaining noise variances to complete work outside of normal working hours.
What to expect this weekend
We will work in all three zones at the same time, from north to south on Delridge Way SW. No Parking signs will be posted on both sides of the street in each phase of work to shift traffic around the work zones. We may need to work in front of properties for short periods of time. We will notify residents in advance of any extended access restrictions.
Zone A (West Seattle Bridge to SW Findlay St)
Demolition work from SW Charlestown St to SW Dakota St
For the next few weeks, we will be completing demolition, concrete, and electrical work in the roadway and sidewalk between SW Charlestown St and SW Dakota St. Lanes will be shifted around the work zone. We plan to move to the east side of Delridge Way SW when the west side is complete
SW Genesee and SW Oregon streets
We will continue conducting utility and storm drainage work. Please expect traffic to be shifted to one side of Delridge Way SW.
Zone B (SW Findlay St to north of SW Orchard St)
SW Findlay St to SW Juneau St
We will continue installing utility pipes. Please expect traffic to be shifted to one side of Delridge Way SW.
Zone C (North of SW Orchard St to White Center)
We will finish connecting catch basins throughout this zone
REMINDER: Businesses along the corridor are open during this work. Please follow posted detour signs as you visit these businesses.
Work throughout the corridor
Continued potholing for utility work
In each of the three work zones, travel lanes will be reduced to one lane in each direction with restricted turns. Please follow posted traffic signs.
Upcoming work
New temporary left-turn pocket lanes at SW Orchard St will be installed later this summer to allow people driving to make left turns onto Delridge Way SW. These turn pockets will also be included when we install the final project street configuration.
For full details on the project, you can browse design graphics/documents by going here.
6:21 AM: Good morning – the 95th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*Major work has begun on the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project – here are the toplines – watch for next week’s preview later today.
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Some service has been restored – details here.
Water Taxi – Some service has been restored on the WT too, plus the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:12 AM: Good morning – the 94th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*Demolition is under way on the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project – here’s what’s happening this week – we drove the area last night and noticed the lane-narrowing in several spots.
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Some service has been added back – details here.
Water Taxi – This also has some service restored, plus the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
7:53 PM: A bus is reported to have ‘sheared off” a pole in the 2800 block of SW Genesee. Avoid the area. We’re on our way to check it out.
8:11 PM: Genesee is closed at the bottom of the hill east of Avalon. Police tell us it wasn’t the bus driver who hit the pole, it was a car driver. No serious injuries. The bus, a 50 that just happened to be in the area, is backing out of the area.
9:36 PM: No word on whether the road’s clear and we can’t go back, but by now it shold be. Also, added Mark‘s photo (thank you) above, showing, as noted in comments, the car went through the fence and onto the golf course.
10:21 PM: Metro just sent a text alert that Route 50 is still routed off SW Genesee, so apparently the scene is NOT clear.
6:12 AM: Good morning – the 93rd morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*Demolition is under way on the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project – here’s what’s happening this week.’
*If you travel on Beach Drive, be aware that staging has begun for the Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook seawall project. We went by Tuesday afternoon and nothing was happening on the roadway yet, but that’ll eventually change.
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Some service has been added back – details here.
Water Taxi – This also has some service restored, plus the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:03 AM: Good morning – the 92nd morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*Demolition is under way on the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project – here’s what’s happening this week.’
*If you travel on Beach Drive, be aware that staging has begun for the Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook seawall project.
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Some service has been added back – details here.
Water Taxi – Also restored some service, plus the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
12:48 PM: This has been discussed in comments on our morning traffic post but afternoon is here and it’s still not resolved, so we’re mentioning it: NB Highway 99 is still closed at Des Moines Memorial Drive just south of South Park [map]. Information is scant but witnesses on Twitter say it’s a standoff with a person on the overpass there, and it’s been under way for four hours. So if you’re headed this way from points south, you’ll want an alternate route.
12:53 PM: Moments after we published that, WSDOT sent an alert saying the highway has reopened.
6:07 AM: Good morning – the 91st morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*Demolition begins this week on the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project – here’s what’s happening this week.’
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Some service will be added back starting today – details here.
Water Taxi – Also restoring some service today, plus the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.
Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:07 AM: Good morning – the 87th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*The Delridge Way repaving-and-more project continues – here’s what’s happening this week.’
*The Highway 99 Tunnel will close for maintenance 9 pm tonight through 4 am Friday.
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure. Note that Metro service will increase next Monday, June 22nd.
Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues until next Monday.; new schedule is online now.
Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:12 AM: Good morning – the 86th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*The Delridge Way repaving-and-more project continues – here’s what’s happening this week.’
*Tonight, overnight work is planned at Delridge/Genesee to finish permanent striping there.
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure. Note that Metro service will increase next Monday, June 22nd.
Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues until next Monday.
Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:07 AM: Good morning – the 85th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
The Delridge Way repaving-and-more project continues – here’s what’s happening this week.
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure. Note that Metro service will increase next Monday, June 22nd.
Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues until next Monday.
Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:05 AM: Good morning – the 84th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
The Delridge Way repaving-and-more project has begun – here’s our latest update – and if you’re parked by a NO-PARKING sign, you might need to move your vehicle ASAP!
TRAFFIC
On to the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month, as announced Tuesday. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure. Note that Metro service will increase next Monday, June 22nd.
Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues until next Monday
Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
Just last night, we published the latest SDOT update on the start of work for the Delridge Way RapidRide H Line conversion. It’s an extensive project, including utilities and road-rebuilding/repaving. One thing the update didn’t say – and so SDOT has just asked us now to let you know – some cars are still parked where the contractor placed “NO PARKING” signs a week ago, and if those cars aren’t moved by Monday, they’ll have to be towed. The “NO PARKING” signs are up along stretches of Delridge and some sectinns of side streets. “Towing starts Monday morning, June 15,” SDOT warns. “If you are parked at a location with “No Park” signs, you are advised to move your vehicle by or on Sunday night, June 14.” You can sign up here for weekly email updates on construction plans.
6:07 AM: Good morning – the 81st morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Remember that the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project has begun – here’s our latest update.
Now on to the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month, as announced Tuesday. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure. Note that Metro and WT service will increase June 22nd.
Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues
Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – comment or text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:03 AM: Good morning – the 80th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. One more time, we’ll remind you that the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project has begun – here’s our preview.
Now on to the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month, as announced Tuesday. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure
Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues
Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – comment or text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
6:12 AM: Good morning – the 79th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. A road-work reminder – the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project has begun, with miscellaneous early tasks like tree protection; here’s our preview.
Now on to the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures coming up next month, as announced Tuesday. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure
Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues
Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – comment or text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
(UPDATE: WSDOT announced on June 11th that this work is now set to start July 12th)
WSDOT has announced the dates for overnight closures required for major work on the northbound side of the 1st Avenue South Bridge – starting four weeks from tonight. But the West Seattle “low bridge” will be open to all on the closure nights. Here’s the announcement:
Beginning July 6, people crossing the northbound State Route 99 Duwamish River Bridge, also known as the First Avenue South bridge, after dark will have to plan for up to 14 nights of detours. Southbound SR 99 will not be affected.
Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will replace 14 sections of steel bridge decking on what has become the main link between West Seattle and downtown Seattle since the closure of the West Seattle Bridge.
During northbound full closures, crews will detour vehicles and pedestrians beginning at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday nights. For each day of these closures, the bridge will reopen at 5 a.m. the following morning. No work will take place Friday or Saturday nights.
In addition to the full closures, people using the bridge should plan for overnight lane reductions and additional travel time during June.
Scheduling the bridge closures
The Duwamish River Bridge spans the Duwamish Waterway, a busy marine highway. When crews are working on the bridge, it cannot open for boat traffic. Keeping the bridge closed requires permission from the U.S. Coast Guard, which manages the waterway.
“This is important work to preserve the bridge. If we don’t do it now, we’ll have to wait until fall at the earliest,” said WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator Messay Shiferaw.
Partnering with SDOT
WSDOT and the Seattle Department of Transportation are working closely to keep traffic moving during the northbound bridge closures. SDOT announced it will allow traffic to use the lower Spokane Street Bridge on nights the northbound Duwamish River/First Avenue South bridge is closed. This could change based on access needs for emergency vehicles. Other detours include the 14th Avenue South Park Bridge, Tukwila International Boulevard, East Marginal Way and Interstate 5.
“This is critical work that WSDOT must prioritize, but it comes at a time when many depend on the First Avenue South bridge more than ever. That is why we’ve worked with WSDOT and others to enable displaced traffic from the First Avenue South Bridge to use the Spokane Street Bridge as an alternative route across the Duwamish every night this work is being done,” said SDOT Director of Downtown Mobility Heather Marx, who also is the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge response lead.
Preserving the Duwamish River Bridge
The Duwamish River Bridge is an important transportation link between Seattle, West Seattle, Burien and points south. Fourteen of the 26.5-foot-long, 6-foot-wide steel deck grids need to be replaced. It takes a few hours to replace each one. During this work, all lanes must be closed for the safety of the people working on the bridge and the traveling public.
Replacing the decking during scheduled closures at times when there is less traffic will keep the bridge in good condition and avoid emergency repairs.
If all 14 nights are needed, that would be Monday night, July 6th through Thursday night, July 9th, plus Sunday night, July 12th, through Thursday night, July 16th, and Sunday night, July 19th, through Thursday night, July 23rd.
(Texted photo)
2:21 PM: Thanks for the tip – now a crash is blocking lanes at the east end of the Roxbury corridor.
3:03 PM: Just went through the area. All clear.
11:03 AM: Multiple reports of a big backup as crews work to remove a downed tree/limb across West Marginal Way SW north of Highland Park Way. Avoid the area for a while.
3:19 PM: Finally got a chance to go through the area. All clear.
6:03 AM: Good morning – the 77th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. As usual, we start with a road-work reminder – the Delridge Way repaving-and-more work is scheduled to start today; here’s our most-recent report.
Now on to checking the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure
Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues
Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – comment or text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
That’s one of two crashes this past half-hour on 35th SW – no major injuries reported in either. This one’s at 35th/Thistle, with a driver going up onto the sidewalk and damaging the pole on the northwest corner. A few blocks north, a 3-car collision at 35th/Holden was being addressed by police on the west (southbound) side of the street.
6:03 AM: Good morning – the 74th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. As usual, we start by checking the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure
Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues
Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – comment or text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
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