TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch

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

7:24 AM: Good morning! An earlier crash on the West Seattle Bridge has cleared to the shoulder, per SDOT, but the backup remains, so it’s slow going.

Also, you may see SFD vehicles headed eastbound on the bridge, being dispatched to a fire call at the VA Hospital complex on Beacon Hill.

DELRIDGE RAPIDRIDE: Again this morning, through 9 am, SDOT reps are scheduled to be at bus stops along Delridge Way to talk with people about the planning process under way for converting Route 120 to RapidRide H Line.

WEDNESDAY NOTE: Tomorrow, Seattle Public Schools get out 2 hours early.

8:12 AM: The aforementioned Beacon Hill fire call is closed.

Katie March 21, 2017 (8:43 am)

I’m surprised to not see any comments. I guess we’ve all come to expect this horrendous traffic. 25 min to get from Morgan junction to the bridge. Will take an hour to get to SODO.

sb2780 March 21, 2017 (9:23 am)

Yes, apparently the new normal is a standard 30 minutes to get to the bridge on ramp.
Lisa March 21, 2017 (1:25 pm)

Took me an hour to get from Admiral/Calif. to the ramp to the bridge,. Then I still had 45 min to get over the bridge. Geez.

smittytheclown March 21, 2017 (8:52 am)

And, it’s only going to get worse. I can’t believe that more people don’t see metro zipping by them every morning and at least contemplate a commute change.

At 6:40 this morning the exit to 99NB was backed up to the top of the bridge.

West Seattle since 1979 March 21, 2017 (8:59 am)

Metro doesn’t zip the whole way. The bus lanes on Avalon Way are usually filled with cars. One day last week a police officer came by with a microphone or bullhorn (not sure of the correct term) demanding that people get out of the bus lanes, but I don’t think very many drivers listened to him because the bus didn’t move any more quickly.

KT March 21, 2017 (9:04 am)

Traffic has been gridlocked since at least 7:15am. Worse now (9:05am) than it was then.

smittytheclown March 21, 2017 (9:18 am)

Duly noted on Avalon, etc. That said, cars need to sit in that traffic too.

However, the WSB and 99NB bus-only lanes must take off 10-15 minutes (at least)compared to people driving to Seneca during rush hour.

West Seattle since 1979 March 21, 2017 (9:34 am)

Yes, the WSB & 99N bus lanes are great. And I agree, Avalon is a mess for everyone!

newnative March 21, 2017 (9:35 am)

I love the 56/57 because we bypass the whole Avalon mess, no problem getting on to the bridge. The bus-only lanes are great until we get to the ramp to get onto the 99. That can be really sluggish.

Sue H March 21, 2017 (9:47 am)

Today my 55 was backed up all the way to the golf course on 35th with traffic sitting in the bus lanes. Same thing on Avalon. Took almost half an hour to get from the Alaska Junction to the bridge; according to the schedule, that’s how long it should take that particular bus to the get to 3rd & Pike from Alaska Junction.

Sunuva March 21, 2017 (12:46 pm)

I primarily blame the road design for causing the bus lane blockages on Avalon. It creates a situation where if a driver waits until the legal place to get over, they’ll end up blocking the general purpose lanes while they are blocked from getting into the right turn lane. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Same exact situation on 35th NB approaching Avalon. Those bus lanes should allow right turning vehicles or provide some alternative to avoid blocking general purpose lanes.

I get it, we want to give buses priority to move through traffic, but the way some of these bus lanes are designed only creates alternative traffic problems. New thinking is needed.

Sorry, comment time is over.