TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday notes, 9th week of West Seattle Bridge closure

6:07 AM: Good morning – the 58th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Our morning notes start with the cameras for the 5-way intersection at West Marginal/Delridge/Spokane/Chelan, and the restricted-access low bridge (where SPD enforcement continues):

Since the main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map), that’s the next camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the approach:

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.

You can see all local traffic cams, including the new ones in West Seattle, here; locally relevant cameras are shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT

Metro – Reduced schedule; reduced capacity; check here for next departure

Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues (note: NO SERVICE next Monday because it’s Memorial Day)

Sound Transit note – Link light rail and Sounder trains will start charging fares again June 1st

During the stay-home order, we’re not live-monitoring morning traffic, but we’ll update with word of incidents, so please let us know what you’re seeing – comment or text (but not if you’re drivingl!) 206-293-6302.

Question Authority May 20, 2020 (7:14 am)

I want to personally thank the Seattle Police Department for enforcing the Low Bridge restrictions. It’s for the best and those who don’t except that are the type who think the sun rises just for them, and nobody else.

New bicycle commuter May 20, 2020 (11:57 pm)

The low bridge was open during my bicycle commute this afternoon, with long lines of people in cars violating the restrictions. I’m sure it was a shock when the bridge opened for traffic and there was a fleet of SPD Motorcycle officers headed west…I heard all kinds of sirens as I rode away!
David Witcraft May 21, 2020 (12:27 pm)

I’ve seen officers there during the peak hours of the commute, but I also see a steady stream of personal vehicles using the bridge as soon as the officers leave. I’ve complained to all authorities, repeatedly, clearly they don’t care! They could put up cameras like they do for school zone speed enforcement. they could park empty patrol cars near the entrances, they COULD do lots of things, but they choose not to. I work for a food delivery service and people still order from West Seattle when they don’t live there or vice versa. I wish those people would seriously reconsider their choices too…….

buglarbustindad May 20, 2020 (8:32 am)

Federal financial aid for the Seattle Convention Center addition? I suggest the West Seattle Bridge Disaster is a higher priority.

DV May 20, 2020 (12:13 pm)

Today’s Non-Sequitur really applies today… https://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/2020/05/20

Gvs May 20, 2020 (12:17 pm)

The completion of the convention center is a higher priority to the leaders of this city. Brings in greater revenues, the fix of the bridge is not a priority for the majority of the city, right or wrong . The bridge does not impact the majority of the city and really don’t see it as a issue for them. The convention center employ folks and brings tourists. It’s a hard pill, I know, but the reality is the bridge is not the number one priority to leadership. Not that it’s not on the list. But not at the top by any stretch. West Seattle has been an afterthought and continues to be so

AdmiralBridge May 20, 2020 (9:26 pm)

Perhaps but for the foreseeable future I would put my money on revenue generated by daily Robust traffic flow in and out of WS before the convention center starts making money. No vaccine no big events.

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