Bridge scofflaws

[WSratsinacage]

So, I keep seeing trucks push barrels aside and merge on to the bridge just west of the first ave exit. Second, further down near the I 5 north on ramp, the illegal to cross double white lines have been recently repainted but are still being treated as if the paint (and big white sign) do not exist. I’ve contacted the SPD in the past but have not seen any enforcement. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to effectively bring these issues to the city? Thanks, in the name of safety and civility :)

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[miws]

I don’t have much of an answer for you, other than to contact the appropriate DOT.

It might seem to fall on deaf ears, but at least there should be a record.

I can just wonder though, that if some of that wet paint were to splatter up onto the cars of some of the scofflaws, how many would file a claim with the City/State?

Mike

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[redblack]

the other day, i saw a semi come up from the low bridge expecting to be able to merge left onto the SSV. oops!

he/she stopped right on the 99 entrance roundabout, suddenly realizing that there was no way for him/her to get back to the south end, except by taking 99 all the way to the mercer street exit.

after i realized that that driver just wasn’t going to move and was probably contemplating backing down the ramp, i was able to maneuver my small car around him/her. the big pickup behind me couldn’t, though. as i passed over the bridge and merged onto 99 NB, i noticed traffic quickly backing up on the bridge.

yeah, that whole thing is going to be a mess this summer.

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[redblack]

that gives me a great idea, mike!

we could hide paint land mines in the stripes – day-glo pink – activated by drivers crossing double solid lines or gore points.

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[WSratsinacage]

I like the day glo idea.

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[hopey]

The reasons for this, and what the city is doing about it, was discussed a few days ago in this article: https://westseattleblog.com/2012/04/spokane-street-viaduct-updates-truck-trouble-ramp-updates-old-bridge-deck-up-close

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[WSratsinacage]

I don’t know if you are posting the link for me or someone else or everyone but yeah I read that the other day.

.

I understand the whys and hows of the project but I’m wondering what the city can do to get compliance from people disobeying the temporary traffic control devices, as well as, the double white “illegal to cross” lines which of course are not new. If there was info in the linked article that answers my concerns, I must have missed it.

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[smokeycretin9]

Snipers. Mounted on crows nests high above the bridge. Break the law, wait for the laser point on your forehead. POP.

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[johnnyblegs]

I feel the pain when I take the 1st ave detour towards 4th. There SHOULD be two lanes, but since no lines are painted, drivers most of the time treat it as one big wide lane. Very dangerous when there are drivers coming up on your right from taking the lower bridge. DOT should have been prepared for all this mess!

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[WSratsinacage]

More flattened barrels this morning at the area just west of the 1st Ave off ramp. These truckers are amazing. I wonder if they will want sympathy next time they go on strike? What makes some of them think they don’t have to obey traffic laws or operate their vehicles safely, legally?

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[PDieter]

isn’t there a possibility that some of these trucks are over weight for the alaska viaduct and have only bad choices at that point?

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[WSratsinacage]

Good point PDieter. If trucks (or cars) miss the detour signs (to continue along Spokane ST to get to I 5) then yeah, they will be forced on to 99 N which would not be good for the structure.

Still, it’s nice to see the addition of some hard plastic jersey barriers. There is a small gap on the east end, I imagine for emergency vehicles. People will just need to read and obey signs. Hopefully by now, everyone is up to speed.

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