Viadoom Day 5: Traffic snarled by car fires, crashes, and protest
Jan 18, 2019, 5:29 AM | Updated: 5:59 pm
After three relatively light days of traffic, the afternoon commute on the fourth day of Viadoom quickly became the worst drive of the week, thanks to rain and a handful of collisions. Friday morning’s commute started off with fire, while a protest slowed the early evening drive in downtown Seattle.
RELATED: Rainy weather brings the worst Viadoom traffic yet
A car fire snarled traffic on northbound I-5 in Federal Way during the commute in the 5 o’clock hour. While the scene was able to be cleared quickly, the backup and slowdown it caused lingered for hours. Then a second car fire was reported on northbound I-5 in Tacoma near the mall at 56th Street in the 7 o’clock hour. Adding to that, a few collisions kept travel times slow outside Seattle Friday morning.
It was so slow out there, that KIRO Radio Traffic Reporter Chris Sullivan was advising commuters to take I-5 into Seattle — into the heart of Viadoom — to avoid the bad traffic.
“The last two hours, we’ve seen a series of crashes, car fires, and whatnot on the I-5 corridor between Tacoma and downtown Seattle,” Sullivan said just a couple hours into the commute.
The evening commute didn’t bring any high-profile accidents, but a protest downtown did slow things down to kick things off.
All in all, the first week of Viadoom went well to start, with inclement weather slowing things down on Thursday and Friday.
For next week, Sullivan has one piece of advice:
“Whatever you are doing out there, keep doing it. It’s impressive, and it’s working,” he said.
Here’s how it all went down Friday, with updates from KIRO Radio’s Tracy Taylor and Chris Sullivan:
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6:00 p.m.
An accident on Aurora saw a 70-year-old driver slam into the back of a Metro Transit bus. The driver is in critical condition at Harborview.
70-year-old driver of a classic 1969 Cadillac slammed into the rear of a Metro Transit bus on 84th and Aurora. Witness told me the impact was like thunder. The driver was rushed to Harborview in critical. Southbound Aurora is now open, but very slow. pic.twitter.com/oSv3uk9sw7
— Gary Horcher (@GaryKIRO7) January 19, 2019
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5:45 p.m.
Ferry terminal waits are backing up quickly tonight. Details:
LONG waits happening at the terminals tonight!https://t.co/xbUbD1S0Ck
— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) January 19, 2019
—
5:30 p.m.
With a handful of events going on this weekend, it’s important to prepare accordingly.
For the events this weekend:
✔️Plan to arrive early.
✔️Prepare for overcrowding on buses.
✔️If possible, ride light rail to Capitol Hill station and walk into the park.
✔️Prepare for significant delays in all traffic & know an alternate route.
✔️Have your transit fare ready. https://t.co/mFkvwiHExE— seattledot (@seattledot) January 19, 2019
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5:14 p.m.
One southbound lane is now open on Aurora and 85th.
UPDATE: One SB lane is now open to traffic on Aurora Ave N at N 85th St.
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 19, 2019
—
5:05 p.m.
Travel times right now are… well, not great. Here’s the current situation:
We’re seeing collisions, increased traffic, and rain on tonight’s evening commute. Please practice patience and travel safely to your next destination this evening. #seattlesqueeze #Realign99
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 19, 2019
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4:45 p.m.
A collision on Aurora Avenue North at North 85th Street is blocking all southbound lanes.
UPDATE: Collision on Aurora Ave N at N 85th St is blocking all SB lanes. Use alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/JnehTc2AsH
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 19, 2019
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4:20 p.m.
“If you thought yesterday was bad, today is shaping up to be that way as well,” says Tracy.
Travel times are ⬆️ as we head into what is a 3-day weekend for some. Southbound I-405 from Bellevue, southbound I-5 through Seattle and southbound I-5 from Federal Way are all slower than usual ➡️ https://t.co/kOpKtlMgAq pic.twitter.com/NlMpHvkpUy
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 19, 2019
—
4:05 p.m.
While we slog through the Friday evening commute, snow rages on near Stevens Pass.
Meanwhile, up in the mountains. ….Our snowplows have been hard at work trying to keep the passes clear, like these two today on US 2 Stevens Pass. Help them out by being prepared for winter travel & by giving them plenty of room. https://t.co/8SSeGLwPxT pic.twitter.com/BY2gPzxJAv
— Washington State DOT (@wsdot) January 18, 2019
—
3:42 p.m.
For anyone going south, you’re in for a tough road ahead.
Ooof. It's a slog going south. It'll take you 48 minutes to get from Federal Way to Tacoma. That's 22 minutes higher than average. If you're headed that way, it's always a good idea to stay updated with our friends at @wsdot_tacoma! https://t.co/kOpKtlMgAq pic.twitter.com/OXNMLjOHS8
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 18, 2019
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3:21 p.m.
Reports from downtown Seattle and a #JusticeforIosia hashtag on Twitter tell us that the protest concerns the recent fatal police shooting of Iosia Faletogo, following the release of body-cam footage that played out the incident in full.
Protesters are laying down in the street blocking traffic.
#JusticeForIosia has now stopped on 7th and Stewart #Q13FOX pic.twitter.com/yHQWbWKOz5
— Marc LeCuyer (@MlecuyerQ13FOX) January 18, 2019
—
3:13 p.m.
Backups are already building in the early hours of the afternoon commute.
It's the start of another afternoon commute without the viaduct and traffic is looking pretty heavy. Southbound I-405 is seeing a backup from Bellevue to Renton and southbound I-5 is slow between Northgate and downtown Seattle. https://t.co/kOpKtlMgAq pic.twitter.com/8mOHJNPoE0
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 18, 2019
Meanwhile, the downtown protest is now blocking southbound lanes at 7th Avenue.
UPDATE: Protest blocking SB lanes at 7th Ave, just north of Stewart St. Use alternate routes.
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 18, 2019
—
3:00 p.m.
For anyone traveling downtown right now in Seattle, there’s a protest on 4th Ave and Pine Street blocking all northbound lanes.
Protest on 4th Ave and Pine St. Blocking all NB lanes. Use alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/MEx35HwnMA
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 18, 2019
As for the rest:
here we go for a friyay afternoon drive! Not so YAY on the roads right now! Back up on Mercer from 1st ave north, Denny from the @PacSci
1st ave south lining up from @TMobilePark and I haven't STARTED on the freeway! Traffic every 10 min on the 3's NOW on @KIRORadio pic.twitter.com/6zJBS4KasV— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) January 18, 2019
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9:50 a.m.
Sullivan reports that “we’re in good shape” right now, with the only major Viadoom traffic on the West Seattle Bridge, which is a crawl getting over to I-5. It’s a 35 minute northbound drive from Federal Way to Seattle. And it’s 35 minutes going southbound from Everett to Seattle.
Accident, center lane blocked in #Seattle on I-5 Express Ln SB at Mercer St, stop and go traffic back to Lakeview Blvd, delay of 3 mins
— Total Traffic SEA (@TotalTrafficSEA) January 18, 2019
9:40 a.m.
Metro’s Friday AM Commute: Expect possible transit service delays on commuter routes traveling NB I-5 near S Albro Pl, plus more https://t.co/0TQjAE1skd
— King County Metro🚏🚎⚓️ (@kcmetrobus) January 18, 2019
9:21 a.m.
Current traffic conditions (9 AM):
🔴Heavy NB on I-5 into downtown
🔴Heavy SB on SR 99 into downtown
🔴Heavy EB on W Seattle Bridge
🔶Moderate SB on I-5 into downtown
🔶Moderate Mercer St btwn I-5 & Dexter
🔶Moderate NB on 1st & 4th Ave S in SODO
✅Light on downtown roads— seattledot (@seattledot) January 18, 2019
9:10 a.m.
Sounder south line #1505 (7:55a Seattle dep) delayed approx 35 mins departing King St Station due to earlier delays with train #1512.
— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) January 18, 2019
KT Rider Alert: The Bremerton-Seattle fast ferry is running more than 10 minutes behind. We apologize for any inconvenience.
— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) January 18, 2019
9 a.m.
Significant slowing continues, especially on the southbound drive from Everett to Bellevue which is clocking in at an hour and 10 minutes. A crash on southbound I-405 near the SR520 bridge has caused a seven mile backup. Sullivan still recommends that drivers use I-5 into Seattle and take one of the floating bridges into Bellevue. The Everett to Seattle drive is just 40 minutes.
8:30 a.m.
#Seattle: A stalled semi is blocking the left center lane of SB I-5 just after Mercer St. pic.twitter.com/xdY3VlIBxc
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 18, 2019
8:15 am.
The sluggish Eastside traffic continues despite the scene of a crash on I-405 near the 520 bridge being cleared. The backup still stretches eight miles. The drive from Everett to Bellevue is an hour and 20 minutes. In comparison, Everett to Seattle is 36 minutes.
Sullivan recommends that drivers coming from the north drive into Seattle on I-5 and take one of the bridges over Lake Washington into Bellevue.
8 mile backup behind it now. +40 https://t.co/FFiaTjYDv7
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 18, 2019
8 a.m.
The biggest problem in the region is not directly related to the closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct — a crash on southbound I-405 into Kirkland. It’s causing a nine mile backup from just beyond Bothell to the 520 Bridge. It’s an hour and 20 minutes from Everett to Bellevue, and and hour and 10 minutes of that is just driving south from Lynnwood.
“You might want to consider going on I-5 and taking one of the lake bridges over,” Sullivan said.
The Federal Way to Seattle drive has steadily improved over the morning following a car fire that snarled traffic earlier. The drive from Federal Way to Seattle is about 45 minutes, with 30 of those minutes from Southcenter.
7:45 a.m.
It’s 50 minutes from Federal Way to Seattle on I-5 with 35 of those minutes from Southcenter.
The West Seattle Bridge continues to be backed up to Delridge. Drivers under that bridge are waiting behind the scene of a crash on Spokane Street that is blocking all directions.
Airport Way is heavy, but is “hanging in there” according to Sullivan. Streets through SoDo are running relatively well with 1st and 4th Avenues being good options.
The southbound Everett to Bellevue drive has jumped up to 50 minutes because of a crash near the 520 bridge. The crash is in the left general purpose lane. Everett to Seattle is 40 minutes.
7:25 a.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (7 AM):
🔴Heavy NB on I-5 into CBD
🔴Heavy EB on West Seattle Bridge
🔴Heavy Mercer St btwn I-5 & Dexter
🔴Heavy NB/SB on 1st Ave S in SODO
🔶Moderate SB on I-5 into CBD
🔶Moderate NB on 4th Ave S in SODO
✅Light NB/SB on SR 99 north of CBD— seattledot (@seattledot) January 18, 2019
Here’s a look at our 7:15 a.m. #TravelTimes:
🔸Auburn to Renton: 19mins (+4 above avg)
🔸Renton to Bellevue: 38mins (+10 above avg)
🔸Federal Way to Seattle: 53mins (+10 above avg)
🔸Lynnwood to Bellevue: 29mins (+2 above avg)
🔸Everett to Seattle: 36mins (-6 below avg) pic.twitter.com/x60GZID9AT— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 18, 2019
7:15 a.m.
Federal Way to Seattle is about an hour, with 35 of those minutes are getting in from Southcenter.
The West Seattle Bridge is backed up as expected, but a crash on Spokane Street just east of the bridge is making things worse. The scene is blocking both eastbound lanes and one westbound lane.
Collision on S Spokane St just east of the Lower Bridge blocking the EB right lane and WB lane. Use caution. pic.twitter.com/g5szZBysNq
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 18, 2019
It’s 40 minutes between Everett and Seattle or Bellevue.
7:10 a.m.
West Seattle Bridge has been backed up to Delridge Way for about an hour in the eastbound direction.
Renton to Bellevue drive is about 40 minutes. A lot of drivers are heading that direction to avoid I-5.
It’s 40 minutes from Everett to Seattle, 45 minutes from Everett to Bellevue.
And there are reports of a second car fire snarling traffic on northbound I-5 in Tacoma.
reports of another car fire NB 5 near 56th pic.twitter.com/UmrmLGVXIO
— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) January 18, 2019
6:50 a.m.
The West Seattle Bridge is backed up to Delridge Way.
Renton to Bellevue is 35 minutes on I-405.
Everett to Seattle is 40 minutes, and it’s 45 minutes from Everett to Bellevue.
All lanes reopened on Spokane Street after a train blocked the road.
UPDATE: All lanes are back open on S Spokane St at Colorado Ave S.
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 18, 2019
The crash blocking the center lane on I-5 in Seattle near Boeing Field has been cleared.
CLEARED to the right shoulder on NB I-5 just south of Swift Ave/Albro Pl. pic.twitter.com/CgJ66ZBGj0
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 18, 2019
6:43 a.m.
The morning drive is not in good shape, Sullivan says. Federal Way to Seattle on I-5 is an hour and five minutes after a crash at Highway 516 delayed traffic. That crash just cleared, but a second crash at the north end of Boeing Field in Seattle is further complicating things. That crash is in the center lane of northbound I-5.
#SouthSeattle: A crash is blocking the center lane of NB I-5 just south of Swift Ave/Albro Pl. pic.twitter.com/Dd5hQxoIIi
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 18, 2019
6:30 a.m.
A train appears to be blocking traffic eastbound and westbound lanes on South Spokane Street at Colorado Avenue. The same thing happened on Tuesday when a train blocked traffic for around 45 minutes. According to Sound Transit and BSNF officials that day, passenger rail service gets priority on the tracks. When Sounder trains move through Seattle, freight trains have to wait. This can cause them to sit on tracks blocking roads.
On Tuesday, pedestrians opted to crawl through and over the train. BNSF strongly cautions people against doing that.
Rail crossing delays for a second @BNSFRailway train blocking all west and eastbound lanes on S Spokane St at Colorado Ave S. Use alt routes. pic.twitter.com/8JrF1JJt7h
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 18, 2019
Another train blocked Spokane Street earlier Friday morning. That cleared minutes before the second blockage.
6:15 a.m.
Sullivan has said it every day this week: if you want to beat the traffic crawl on the West Seattle Bridge, you have to get there before 6 a.m. Friday is no different. Traffic has started to back up on the bridge, heading into Seattle.
Just like clockwork, West Seattle Bridge starts backing up at 6a. That’s about an hour 15 earlier than before Alaskan Way Viaduct closure.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 18, 2019
6 a.m.
The car fire has been put out, and all lanes are open on northbound I-5.
“But we’re still hosed,” says Sullivan.
There is a 35 minute delay coming north out of Federal Way.
5:30 a.m.
A car fire on northbound I-5 is slowing traffic through Federal Way ahead of the Viadoom commute Friday morning. It’s adding 30 minutes between Tacoma and Federal Way.
@NEWSGUYSULLY car fire just after 320th going north pic.twitter.com/RMlS9oyWZ4
— w00t.the.camera.man📸 (@zacoda) January 18, 2019
UPDATE: The backup from this vehicle fire on NB I-5 is now 6-miles, stretching back into @wsdot_tacoma‘s area. If you’re headed through #FederalWay this morning, consider using SR 99 as an alternate route or expect long delays. pic.twitter.com/A913Pd4SGD
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 18, 2019