VIADUCT OPEN AGAIN: Monday traffic/transit watch

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6 AM: Good morning! The Alaskan Way Viaduct is open again as of last night. As of this morning, Metro is back on its pre-closure routes.

And – our back-to-normal watch starts with a stalled vehicle in the right lane of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge at the crest, per SDOT.

6:35 AM: Cleared.

8:46 AM: Incident-free since then, and light, as commenters point out. If you use the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth state-ferry run, here’s an advisory about vessel downsizing starting in a few hours:

Customers are advised to plan for reduced capacity due to a vessel downsizing on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route. Beginning with the Vashon 12:25 pm departure, the 87-car Tillikum will temporarily replace the 124-car Issaquah while the Issaquah undergoes required maintenance. The Issaquah galley will close at 7:30 am and the Tillikum galley will open Tuesday at 5:00 am. We apologize for the inconvenience. Vending machines are available on board the vessel and inside the terminals.

Preparations also are expected to start today for the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion re-replacement project, with overnight closures of the west end of the bridge starting next Sunday night.

And at the site of the 30th/Yancy/Avalon safety project, the crosswalk striping is now expected to happen as soon as tomorrow, postponed from last week.

Meyer May 9, 2016 (7:59 am)

Morgan Junction to Downtown took 24 minutes on the C Line, couldn’t believe. I caught the bus around 7:07am

Elton May 9, 2016 (8:13 am)

The bridge is in great shape as is the viaduct. On the 55, been the smoothest bus commute I’ve had

newnative May 9, 2016 (8:14 am)

Knowing the Viaduct was open, planning to take the bus once more, adding for luxury time in the shower, more time to assemble lunch, drink coffee, and put on makeup/fix hair, I still left the house 20 minutes earlier than necessary and caught an early bus. I was a little nervous on the Viaduct but hopefully, that will dissapate.

WSGirl May 9, 2016 (8:21 am)

Easiest commute ever! Caught the C-line from the Morgan Junction around 7:10, was downtown in 20 minutes! Yay!

Sue May 9, 2016 (8:25 am)

I wonder if people didn’t realize it was open – that was the best bust commute in years. Got on a 55 around 7:30 and was walking in my office at 3rd/Seneca at 7:50. Amazing!

EmmyJane May 9, 2016 (8:37 am)

Best commute I can remember. I hope those that can continue to change their commuting ways (no, I’m not talking about the person that needs three transfers and 2 hours to take a bus instead of driving).

Rick May 9, 2016 (8:37 am)

Ya’ll do understand you’re being manipulated, right?

PangolinPie May 9, 2016 (8:54 am)

What do you mean, Rick? Hey, if manipulation means I get to work on time without a 2-hour bus ride, then you can manipulate me all day.

plf May 9, 2016 (8:38 am)

wondering if some folks took some time off this week because of last weeks commute and with 99 opening last night didn’t change their vacation time

Paul May 9, 2016 (8:50 am)

Best commute ever. I drove. Left Gatewood Elementary at 740am and got to SLU at 802AM.

John May 9, 2016 (9:41 am)

Biker numbers were still up. The bike counter on the lower bridge still showed a higher number then normal. Hopefully those that rode during the shutdown have realized how short and easy the bike ride is from West Seattle to downtown.

Paul May 9, 2016 (9:50 am)

Everyone takes a page out of Disney’s playbook these days: “Ride line: 2 hour line form this point”, then turns out to be an hour, you hear everyone say “wow that was not that bad”, you all just waited ONE HOUR for a 30 second ride! Come on, really. Yes in a way its manipulation but it is much better than going the opposite way and not letting people plan. PS West Seattle to Seattle Water Taxi 8.15 ride was about 50% up on a normal (pre closure day) but suspect many – like me – were not aware the road was reopened.

Elton May 9, 2016 (10:31 am)

Any word on Water Taxi numbers? I’m curious if they’re still elevated or if perhaps people are taking the Water Taxi as opposed to their normal commuting option after seeing how reliable it is.

WSB May 9, 2016 (11:10 am)

We did not go to the dock today but I’m planning on asking.
- WSB May 9, 2016 (11:35 am)
  
  And I just got the numbers. Writing a separate story, including the official postmortem for the Viaductless week-plus … TR