West Seattle, Washington
25 Monday
Heading back from Mayor Nickels’ news conference at City Hall, WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli sent this photo from a one-car crash that’s backing up westbound traffic on The Bridge. No medic units involved, per 911, so it appears no one was seriously hurt. Note the tow truck in the photo, which means it should clear soon.
Added at 5:39 Here’s a closer shot that more clearly illustrates how the vehicle hit the barrier:
If you’re heading toward West Seattle soon – or know someone who is – note that a crash has led police to close off the West Seattle Bridge, westbound, near the Fauntleroy end – traffic is being diverted off at the Admiral exit. No details so far on how serious the crash is.
Emergency crews are at the scene of a crash on the eastbound side of The Bridge. No details except for one warning if you’re thinking of heading that way – DON’T. Our tipster hasn’t even made it past the Delridge onramp yet and traffic is at a standstill. 10:02 AM UPDATE: It’s a two-car crash. At least one person hurt, but being transported by private ambulance, which usually means “not life-threatening.” The cars are blocking the exit lane to 99 and the bus lane right at the top of the highrise. Everything’s moving smoothly once you get past it. 11:24 AM NOTE: As you can see in the “live” pic from the traffic cam, all’s clear now.
Just got this note from the folks working on the various Alaskan Way Viaduct-related projects:
On Wednesday (July 22) crews will close the far right lane of northbound SR 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and the Railroad Way S. ramps from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Thursday (July 23) crews will close the far right lane of southbound SR 99 between the Railroad Way S. ramps and the West Seattle Bridge from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
This is related to the South End Replacement work – more info here.
ADDED 4:14 PM: And we’ve received two reminders that the northbound lanes of The Viaduct are closed for two hours Saturday night because of the Seafair Torchlight Run – 5:45-7:45 pm.
No other details of the crash but you’ll want to avoid that area north of Morgan Junction for a while – already tends to be slow, especially southbound, heading into the construction zone. 6:56 PM UPDATE: The crash scene is clear now. Adding photo(s). We have no official information on this yet but several witness accounts say a car and bicycle collided. ADDED 7:35 PM: Here’s a photo that Chas Redmond shares, showing medics firefighters tending to the bicyclist:
If you will be using lower Spokane Street 7 pm-5 am for any or all of the next five nights, note that the westbound traffic will be detoured into the currently closed eastbound lanes between 1st and 2nd (map) because of utility work related to the ongoing construction project. Police will direct traffic. SDOT adds, “Eastbound local access between 1st and 2nd will continue to be provided as needed.”
Quoting one driver’s frustrated note a short time ago on Twitter, “Seven minutes to get through Fauntleroy and California!” (map) That’s because as previewed last week, the Fauntleroy Way road-rebuilding work has revved up again today. At the aforementioned intersection, this means traffic’s down to 1 lane each way, and it also means you can’t use the north entrance to West Seattle Thriftway during work hours:
(The store’s west and east entrances are open as usual.) As per the city bulletin from last week, grinding work is also happening on the eastbound lanes further north along the road-rebuilding stretch, which runs all the way to SW Edmunds. The official city project-info/overview/updates page is here; the project is expected to continue into October, but the Fauntleroy/California work that started up again today is supposed to be done by the end of the week, “weather permitting,” per SDOT.
(thanks to YuriM for sending that photo via Twitter, added 10:20 am)
If you happen to be heading toward West Seattle sometime soon – beware of some trouble on The Bridge – Scott C just called to say there’s an “upside-down car” on the westbound side, between 99 and the top of the high rise. 911 log shows a “motor vehicle accident” call there in the past hour, but it’s now closed, which means fire/medic crews’ work is done. No word on injuries. (Thanks also to those who e-mailed and tweeted – Manuel says via e-mail that the crash was blocking the 2 left lanes westbound and backing cars up as far as 1st Ave So.) ADDED 8:53 AM: Here’s the link to a photo @steveler posted via Twitter. ADDED 9:57 AM: The scene is NOT yet cleared, according to this traffic camera. ADDED 10:10 AM: Just got information from Seattle Police media unit Officer Renee Witt: The car is believed to have flipped after hitting a guard rail “at a high rate of speed.” She says the driver also is suspected of having been under the influence. Both the driver and passenger are at the hospital, but both have only minor injuries. The scene hasn’t been cleared yet because the “under the influence” aspect requires a more extensive investigation. 12:30 PM UPDATE: Via Twitter, we have word from @despeaux that the crash scene is clear.
From a cameraphone, but it still clearly told the tale of a dangerous spot in The Junction – which may see extra traffic during West Seattle Summer Fest this weekend – the photo came from Jim Edwards, as did this report:
You know the sign that says “motorcycles use extreme caution” — you better heed it here. Just north of Alaska on 42nd Ave SW. Part of the Capco site work. It is wide enough to catch a scooter or motorcycle tire. A bicycle will flip for sure. SPD non-emergency notified about quarter past nine. This is the detour route for the weekend too.
As mentioned here in a related context recently, if there is a major road hazard, the city also advises alerting 206-386-1218. UPDATE: Jim just called and was told the plate’s “already been reset.” Still – be careful in this spot.
SDOT just sent the list. No Viaduct closures this time. But the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade Saturday morning is mentioned (it does have a few traffic effects), among many other events citywide – read on:Read More
No big splashy announcements of this closure yet but it hit our radar when Robert asked a question on the WSB Facebook page: The Alaskan Way Viaduct will close for much of Saturday because of this area’s first-ever Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. Specifically, it’s slated to close 4 am-4 pm northbound, 4 am-1:15 pm southbound; the times are listed on The Viaduct’s website.
Lots going on IN West Seattle this weekend — most notably, the Sustainable West Seattle Festival on Sunday, 10 am-3 pm (schedule here) — so why leave? Well, if you MUST – here’s the city’s official rundown on what’s happening and where things are going to get a little crazy, including a two-hour Alaskan Way Viaduct closure Sunday morning:Read More
We’ve already mentioned this in quick bulletins on Twitter (@westseattleblog) and Facebook (WS Blog) — but it may take a while for traffic flow to get back to normal so we’ll post it here too – a three-car crash is slowing traffic on southbound 99 right before the West Seattle exit. Thanks to Nichole Taylor for sending photos (the one above shows 2 of the vehicles; none of them looked too badly crunched); the 911 log says fire crews have cleared out so things should get better soon.
(from the map on the city webpage for this project)
From SDOT – they’ve been warning that East Duwamish Waterway Bridge work was about to start, and now we have word that lane closures, between the West Seattle “low bridge” and the downtown waterfront, will start tomorrow – read on for the latest announcement:Read More
WSDOT says a truck in trouble is blocking the ramp from the West Seattle Bridge to northbound I-5 — and the cameras on our Traffic page verify a backup on the eastbound bridge as a result. 4:40 PM UPDATE: WSDOT says the truck’s been cleared to the shoulder, so the backup should start easing.
Brighter nights ahead – but in the short run, some slower going, according to this SDOT traffic alert (which we’ll link to our Events calendar for reminders when the weekend arrives):
This weekend, April 4 and 5, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) crews will assist Seattle City Light crews while they work on the overhead lighting of the Spokane Street Viaduct between I–5 and First Avenue South. The work will require lane closures. SDOT will close the right westbound lane from 12 midnight on Friday to 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 4. The next night, from 12 midnight on Saturday to 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 5, the right lane eastbound will be closed. Motorists should use extra caution through the work zones.
The I-5 and 1st Avenue South projects both have updates – we’ve mentioned them before but these are the very latest status checks forwarded by SDOT:Read More
As reported here on Saturday, this weekend’s Alaskan Way Viaduct 
shutdowns were for more than the semiannual inspection — lanes were restriped, soil samples were taken for the proposed tunnel, and more. And now – WSDOT sends word, The Viaduct is officially open again – and the Battery Street Tunnel has reopened early too.
Reminder – It’s twice-yearly inspection time for the Battery Street Tunnel and Alaskan Way Viaduct; the tunnel was scheduled to close as of 11 pm tonight and stay closed till 5 am Monday; The Viaduct is to be closed 6 am-6 pm both Saturday and Sunday.
That’s according to Deborra, who has a good view of it from downtown. There was construction work south of the West Seattle exit, but it was supposed to be done by 3:30, so not entirely sure that’s it – just know that heading southbound on 99 will take you longer, if you’re leaving any time soon. 5:35 PM UPDATE: SDOT sends this advisory – it IS related to the road work:
SDOT is working to address traffic backups on southbound Highway 99 this afternoon.
A contractor making emergency repairs on East Marginal Way South (Highway 99) had his crews off the street before 3:30 p.m. as required by his city permit; however, two traffic lanes were left closed to allow pavement to cure, resulting in traffic backups through downtown Seattle.
One lane was opened at 5 p.m., and the third lane is to be opened before 6 p.m.
Good news, the lighting at the I-5/West Seattle Bridge (Spokane Street) interchange is getting improvements. Semi-bad news in the short run, that means some ramp closures. They may not all affect you since some are from Columbian Way (the Beacon Hill end), but here’s the full list just in case:Read More
Many West Seattleites use this route, so we’re sharing the alert – full news release, ahead:Read More
The next semi-annual inspection shutdown weekend for the Alaskan Way Viaduct is March 21-22, according to an e-mail update that just arrived from WSDOT. Here are the specifics: Closed 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, with the Battery Street Tunnel scheduled for continuous shutdown 11 pm Friday 3/20 to 5 am Monday 3/23. They’re also offering walking tours of The Viaduct on Saturday morning 3/21, by reservation – e-mail viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov, or call 888–AWV–LINE (first-come, first-served).
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