(Wednesday photo by Jon Anderson)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Shop fall plants and holiday greenery at the center, open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Annuals, perennials, sun, shade, natives, edibles, ground covers … wide variety! (Tomorrow’s the last day before temporary holiday closure.)

OFFICIAL OPENING DAY: Noon marks the start of the official opening day, after two “soft-open” days, for Gary’s Place (2820 Alki SW) – here’s our look inside from Tuesday.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.

STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm yoga class at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of four events tonight at this venue – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Tolu.

BONUS FOOD AT HPCS AGAIN TONIGHT: Also 4-8 pm at HPCS again this week, “Mark Thai Food Box Pop Up – Mark Thai Food Box will be at the Corner Store giving out samples of his delicious curries and rice.”

WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: A regular Thursday feature at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – details here.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: And after all that fun, run or walk the neighborhood with the Run Club, leaving from HPCS at 6:30 pm – info here.

VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s cozy tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle – including sparkling wine!

NORTH STAR POP-UP: Still selling sheepskin specialties at a West Seattle pop-up, 5-7 pm, (7138 30th SW)

WESTIES RUN CLUB: The 6 pm weekly run is now departing from Future Primitive on Alki (2536 Alki SW).

HOLIDAY BAZAAR AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Local vendors, 5-9 pm. (California/Alaska)

RAT CITY ART AND FOOD WALK: Monthly event at multiple White Center venues, 5 pm start – here’s the list and map for this month, featuring a Holiday Market theme.

GHOST STORIES AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Short Order Theater Company performs.

HOLIDAY MUSIC AT THE KENNEY: Rat City Brass performs “Herb Alpert holiday favorites,” 6:30 pm. Free, all welcome, RSVP requested. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Canceled tonight and next Thursday.

TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).

‘SNOWED IN (AGAIN)’: The holiday show continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm; ticket info is in our calendar listing – looks like a few remain for tonight.

DJ NIGHT: The weekend starts early at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Chloe Harris starting at 8 pm.

Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Package-poaching suspect west of The Junction

December 19, 2024 9:16 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

9:16 AM: Texter called in – and radio exchanges confirm that police are looking for – a suspected package poacher in a gray Audi, last seen minutes ago a few blocks west of The Junction (49th/Hudson was mentioned most recently). Tipster says it’s a sedan, likely 2000s vintage, no plates, “driving recklessly.” No driver description so far. Call 911 if you see it.

10:16 AM: Texter has since described the driver as a Black man, “possibly 20s-40s, orange hooded construction jacket with white reflective stripes.”

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FROM OUR HOLIDAY GUIDE: Friends of Roxhill Elementary request

December 19, 2024 9:05 am

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| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Many holiday donation drives featured in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide have ended, but the Friends of Roxhill Elementary say there’s still time to help their school’s students and their families (donate here):

Every child should have a holiday meal and present, and parents and caregivers could use less stress this holiday season. You can make a difference by donating today to Friends of Roxhill Elementary, our school’s non-profit PTO.

Bring holiday cheer and help families cover basic household needs (e.g., groceries, cleaning supplies, utilities). Our goal is to provide each family with $200 in holiday and household support this year.

While we typically have about 50 families in our community who need support through the holiday season, Roxhill Elementary School’s counselor, Ms. Amber, has shared that the need for assistance has increased this year.

“Roxhill Elementary has the most amazing community of bright, loving kids and caring, generous families,” said Ms. Amber. “I know how hard it is to ask for help, so I honor every parent that has had the courage to let me know they need help right now. This is what community is about.”

Roxhill Elementary is a small but mighty Title I school with approximately 245 students, located in the south end of West Seattle. 60% of our students are on free and reduced lunch. Over 72% of our students are from BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color). Our school has a strong sense of community. We come together to celebrate and support each other.

You can help us show every family that they are seen and cared for.

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Thursday notes

December 19, 2024 6:03 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, December 19th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Winter arrives at 1:20 am Saturday – here’s the final Thursday forecast of fall: Rainy, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset: 7:54 am and 4:19 pm.

SCHOOL

Last days before winter break – Seattle Public Schools dismiss one hour early tomorrow (Friday, December 20).

TRANSIT

Water Taxi today – Regular service today.

Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, with a “ghost/bonus boat” set to return today – check here for last-minute changes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

ROAD WORK/CLOSURES

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. SDOT expects crews to change that today: “We’ll be transitioning into our third phase of traffic control on December 19. The two center lanes on Admiral Way SW will be closed during this phase, with one lane in each direction open for people driving. As part of this transition, the temporary crosswalk at Admiral Way SW and 39th Ave SW will be removed.”

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon. SDOT recently provided an update, with word of a lane shift.

*Beach Drive gas-pipeline work continues into January, PSE tells us – here’s our latest update.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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VIDEO: Memories of Christmases past, and hope for the future, at The Mount’s first Hallelujah Lights

December 19, 2024 1:38 am

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| Holidays | West Seattle news

The candles were lit and the memories were flowing even before sunset as Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) held its first “Hallelujah Lights” event at sunset Wednesday. The light in the sky briefly outshone the lights of The Mount’s “singing tree”:

The Mount’s Molly Swain explained that the “singing tree” is lit to respond to sound nearby – whether it’s someone walking up and clapping their hands, or music, the lights will reflect the rhythm:

The singers you heard off-camera were the event’s featured group, local vocal ensemble The Starry Crowns:

Remembering the departed at Christmastime was a central reason for the gathering, and it is especially important at a place like The Mount, it was noted, as it’s the “last stop” for many. But it’s also a place of joy and hope, with its Intergenerational Preschool, whose students were scheduled to come out for carols and cocoa later in the event (we had to move on). You can see the tree, by the way, south of the central main entrance.

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TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: ‘It’s not such a bad little (display)’

December 18, 2024 9:01 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Pardon the paraphrase of the famous line from this display’s inspiration … actually, it’s a GREAT display as always:

Since no one had yet nominated West Seattle’s “Charlie Brown Christmas” display for this year’s WSB spotlights, we traveled to North Admiral tonight to check to see if it’s up again this year. And it is! The characters from the TV classic are once again mingled with lights.

You can see it firsthand in the 2100 block of 47th SW. When last we heard directly from the display’s creator, Don Rice, two years ago, he said that was its 47th year, so this year would be its 49th! (Got a display to suggest? With or without photos, email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! See what we’ve shown by scrolling through this WSB archive.)

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WEST SEATTLE GIVING SPIRIT: Multiple ways you can help the West Seattle Community Orchestras make music

December 18, 2024 8:31 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle Giving Spirit | West Seattle news

Giving time, money, and/or talent – all ways to demonstrate the West Seattle Giving Spirit for tonight’s spotlighted organization, the West Seattle Community Orchestras. Three times a week through year’s end, WSB is bringing you this special holiday-season opportunity to learn about, and support, some of our area’s nonprofits, in partnership with the Learning Communities Foundation. Now, here’s WSCO’s story:

We are the West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSCO) and we would love for you to join us as a musician or support us as a donor! WSCO teaches and rehearses orchestral music weekly Sept-May and performs 3 concerts annually at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. Registration for our January-March and March-May termsis currently open!

We play again outdoors each summer at Lincoln Park for our Summer Play Along series. And at events like West Seattle Summer Fest, WSCO hosts several instrument petting zoos for children to see, touch, and play string, wind, and percussion instruments.

WSCO provides a community dedicated to musical growth, education, and appreciation, and welcomes musicians of all ages and abilities to create and perform music together. Our multi-generational organization uniquely promotes performing arts, artistic expression, and both K-12 education and lifelong learning, with opportunities to play in four different level ensembles (Debut Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra) and to learn to play an instrument in two classes (Student Beginning Strings and Adult Beginning Strings). WSCO does not charge tuition for students through K-12, eliminating a barrier to student participation. At every level, young people and adults play together in a relaxed, non-competitive environment that builds both confidence and community.

Half of our budget comes from adult musician dues and the other half from generous donations from members of the community like you. If you’re wondering where this money is going, here’s a high-level view of our expenses:

58% goes to compensating fairly our local conductors, coaches and staff
21% goes to renting rehearsal and concert spaces with Seattle Public Schools
20% goes to purchasing music, insurance, hosting our website…
And last but not least, your donations help us keep the program free for students through K-12!

DONATE

REGISTER

Our next West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlight is Friday; you can scroll through our past spotlights here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Student’s car stolen near school

December 18, 2024 7:05 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

One more stolen-car report:

Our son’s new to him/used 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with plates CNL6303 was stolen this afternoon from the area around Summit Atlas High School at Roxbury and 35th while he was in school. We don’t have an actual photo since it’s new to him, so (this) is the general idea. We would love to recover this as it won’t be valued as much as the work that was just put into it. Case # 24-355046.

If you find it, call 911.

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STORM AFTERMATH: Missing a kayak?

December 18, 2024 6:15 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Sent by Michael:

Found on our beach south of ferry landing.

If it’s yours, email us and we’ll connect you,

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen beige Silverado; business break-in

December 18, 2024 3:46 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN SILVERADO: The photo and report were sent by Allen:

Our truck was stolen this morning in front of our house on 45th Ave SW, between Hinds and Hanford. It’s a beige 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, plate B71645G. Police report 24-354501.

Call 911 if you find it.

BUSINESS BREAK-IN: We heard a dispatch earlier today for broken glass at West Wings in The Admiral District, so we asked them if they’d been burglarized. According to co-proprietor Paul Burbano, the bar was broken into but damage was minimal; alarms went off so neighbors called SPD, for which West Wings says thanks. “It’s always a terrible thing when this happens around the holidays, of course.” Paul said. “But we’re OK and remain open for business.”

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FOLLOWUP: Admiral Church looks ahead to new temporary home while current site is transformed

December 18, 2024 2:20 pm

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| West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(Concept for what you’d see turning off California onto Hill)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Before the West Seattle Big Band‘s Christmas concert Sunday (WSB coverage here) in the Admiral Church sanctuary, the church’s pastor Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom told the full house that it had special meaning: This is the church’s final Advent season before moving out so its half-acre site can be transformed into housing and a “new church,” including space for the many community groups that gather there.

We followed up to find out the newest details about their moving plans, as nothing specific was mentioned when last we updated the future Homestead Community Land Trust project after a community open house in June.

The church will be co-housed with another Admiral congregation, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, during construction, Rev. Conley-Holcom told WSB. “St. John’s is a warm, loving community with which we have been developing relationship for years, so this will be an easy, comfortable arrangement even as it represents a drastic change for both congregations.”

Admiral Church expects to move out of its current site this summer, the pastor explains, “for a few reasons, the greatest of which was made abundantly clear last night during the deluge. The building is facing pretty serious water penetration issues that can be linked to original design flaws with the current structure (downspouts concealed within the walls of the sanctuary which cannot be unclogged without risking rupture into the walls of the building). We are engaging with professionals for mitigation, but are not going to make major repairs for obvious reasons.”

The “rolling” move will start once the preschool that shares the church’s site, A Child Becomes, finishes its 2024-2025 school year – that’s when, the pastor says, “we will begin shutting the building down until HCLT is ready to take possession and begin demolition.” (A Child Becomes has its own new location.)

If you need to catch up on the backstory – Admiral Church chose redevelopment as the best path toward a sustainable future; trying to fix the (as mentioned above) deteriorating old building was not an option. They finalized a partnership plan with Homestead CLT in 2023. They plan 21 for-sale housing units – 13 townhouses and 8 condos, a mix of affordable and market-rate – as well as a new mixed-use building for the church and its programs. Kathleen Hosfeld of Homestead CLT tells WSB that they still hope to complete construction in 2026, but “construction start times and completion depend a lot on funding.” (Earlier this year, a city grant was announced for part of the funding.)

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TRAFFIC ALERT: West Seattle low bridge trouble, again

December 18, 2024 1:33 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

1:33 PM: Thanks for the tips – multiple readers say the low bridge has been closed to traffic for at least 45 minutes. We’re checking with SDOT.

1:54 PM: SDOT has now issued an alert: “Technical issues on the Lower Spokane St Bridge blocking traffic in both directions. Use alternate routes.”

2:15 PM: Live camera shows traffic moving again both ways on the low bridge. We’re waiting to hear from SDOT regarding the source of the latest problems.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Pet Pros now closed

December 18, 2024 11:54 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Pets | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

When we talked with Pet Pros West Seattle staff one week ago, they confirmed the Jefferson Square store was closing but said they didn’t know when. The regional chain’s headquarters did not answer our subsequent inquiry, but this morning, tipster Mel told us she had found the sign in her photos on the door, and no one in the store. ‘

We just went over to verify and indeed the store is closed (it would normally have opened for the day at 10 am), and the shelves have been emptied. Pet Pros moved its West Seattle store there two years ago, after 15 years at Westwood Village, which ended when a franchise of Pet Supplies Plus moved to WWV.

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Hallelujah Lights, Christmas-cookie contest, clothing-donation drive, more for your West Seattle Wednesday

December 18, 2024 10:13 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Rick Cocker – snowy Olympics)

Here’s our list of what’s happening on your Wednesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

CLOTHING DONATION DRIVE: As previewed here, today is the first of two days you can take clothing donations – all ages/sizes – to Chief Sealth International High School‘s office until 4 pm for their collection to help families. (2600 SW Thistle)

TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE: Last day to drop off new, unwrapped toys at Harbor Insurance (3922 California SW)

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

HOLIDAY ROOM SELFIES: More drop-in DIY photo ops with a holiday backdrop at Curious Kidstuff (4740 California SW), noon – 5 pm.

REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

TODDLER STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: At Southwest Library, 3 pm, for kids ages 1-3. (9010 35th SW)

HALLELUJAH LIGHTS AT THE MOUNT: Community event in memory of those not with us this holiday season, 4 pm at The Mount (4831 35th SW; WSB sponsor), details in our preview.

CHRISTMAS COOKIE CONTEST AT OUNCES: 4-9 pm, enter a cookie or treat at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) and get a drink discount.

HOMEWORK HELP: Volunteer helpers are available 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center). Learn more about the WS Tool Library in our recent West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlight!

SANTA AT PEGASUS PIZZA: “Pegasus Pizza and Pasta in The Junction is having FREE Santa pictures with any purchase from 6 pm-10 pm.” (4520 California SW)

FREE GROUP RUN: All year ’round! All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

WSHS ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR WINTER CONCERT: 7 pm at West Seattle High School. (3000 California SW)

TRIVIA x 3: Three Wednesday trivia locations: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.

MUSIC BINGO X 2: Two places to play on Wednesdays! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … Or, at Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo, hosted by Mingo Maniac, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The mic is yours! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Planning an open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, show, meeting, presentation, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – and if it’s a holiday event, send it for the Holiday Guide – thank you!

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PHOTOS: ‘King tide’ swamps Alki Beach

December 18, 2024 8:43 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks for the photos! Wind and other atmospheric conditions pushed this morning’s “king tide” up onto the beach and boardwalk at Alki. The first three photos are from David Hutchinson.

Alki Bathhouse and Statue of Liberty Plaza had been sandbagged in anticipation of this possibility. The next photo was texted anonymously, from further east along the sand:

This NOAA page (linked on the WSB West Seattle Weather page any time you want to find it) shows the high tide water level was actually about a foot and a half higher than the basic projection.

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Windy final Wednesday of fall

December 18, 2024 6:02 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, December 18th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The wind advisory has been extended until 7 am, and 300+ customers (mostly on Puget Ridge) remain out of power. Also on this final Wednesday of autumn – winter arrives at 1:20 am Saturday – the rain is expected to stop and make way for some sun, with a high around 50. Today’s sunrise/sunset: 7:53 am and 4:19 pm.

TREE TROUBLE

If you find a tree or big branch down on a street, sidewalk, or path, notify SDOT at 206-386-1218. They’ve already got at least two reports – 7000 block of Highland Park Way SW and SB Admiral Way hill – in the past hour or so.

SCHOOL

Last days before winter break – Seattle Public Schools dismiss one hour early on Friday (December 20).

TRANSIT

Water Taxi today – Regular service today.

Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, no “ghost/bonus boat” until tomorrow. Check here for last-minute changes.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

ROAD WORK/CLOSURES

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. This will change on Thursday, SDOT has announced:

We’ll be transitioning into our third phase of traffic control on December 19. The two center lanes on Admiral Way SW will be closed during this phase, with one lane in each direction open for people driving. As part of this transition, the temporary crosswalk at Admiral Way SW and 39th Ave SW will be removed.

Fairmount Avenue remains closed beneath the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon. SDOT recently provided an update, with word of a lane shift.

*Beach Drive gas-pipeline work continues into January, PSE tells us – here’s our latest update.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

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