TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates & alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

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

6:57 AM: Welcome to Monday. Roads are wet and while there are no specific incidents in/from West Seattle and vicinity, traffic is reported to be slow around the region, so give yourself extra time. Today’s reminders:

SPOKANE ST. PROJECT: SDOT hasn’t updated the website for the project east of the low bridge, but here’s the newest flyer, with details on this week’s plan, as the three-month project arrives around its midway point.

WSF SCHEDULE: Washington State Ferries‘ fall schedule is now in effect.

7:27 AM: Just took a spin around the live video cameras. The slow spots are the usual ones – exit lane to 99, Spokane Street Viaduct approaching the exit lanes for 5.

8:04 AM: Metro just texted that “The bus stop on Columbia Street [downtown] at 2nd Ave. will be relocated to SB 3rd Ave. north of Columbia on 9/20 [tomorrow], 9 am-3 pm.”

9:02 AM: Low-bridge problem, tweeted by SDOT:

A crash is partially blocking the EB lane on the Lower Spokane St Bridge. Use extra caution. pic.twitter.com/KEmYB2vsaX

— seattledot (@seattledot) September 19, 2016

cjac September 19, 2016 (7:50 am)

Low bridge up during peak Monday am commute…..

Jason September 19, 2016 (7:56 am)

I ask this seriously, why oh why is the low bridge allowed to be closed between 630 and 830 in the morning? There are 22 other hours in the day. Can’t sdot allow traffic to move more freely?

WSB September 19, 2016 (7:58 am)

While it’s an SDOT structure, it’s not SDOT’s decision to make. Maritime traffic has priority (and is tide-dependent – this morning’s high tide has just passed – we have a tide chart on the WSB Weather page). The city has tried over the years, including in times of traffic stress such as Alaskan Way Viaduct closures, and been denied. I’ll haul out some links here in a moment … (added) The most relevant one is here. – TR

Wy September 19, 2016 (12:23 pm)

I’d take a look at https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/33/117.1041 (33 CFR 117.1041) as well as the bridges over the Duwamish are governed by federal laws (being a federal navigable waterway).

Sorry, comment time is over.