Viadoom updates: Malfunction on Spokane St. bridge snarls evening commute
Jan 30, 2019, 6:33 AM | Updated: 6:40 pm
(Michael Simeona, KIRO Radio)
(Michael Simeona, KIRO Radio)
A Wednesday evening technical difficulty on the Lower Spokane Street Bridge had traffic snarled getting into West Seattle.
A malfunction of a mechanical arm started causing backups around 5:30 p.m. during the evening commute. Shortly after, passengers stuck on the bridge left buses to hoofed it across instead.
Welp, the West Seattle bridge “broke” so half of our bus had to get off and walk across the bridge since traffic is at a standstill. This must be what they meant by #Viadoom!
— Shirtless Pundit 🇺🇸 (@zachhaller) January 31, 2019
As a result, bus routes and commutes in the area were delayed across the board, as mechanics on-site worked on a fix. The malfunctioning arm was finally repaired around 6:20 p.m.
Stay tuned for updates below from KIRO Radio Traffic Report Tracy Taylor and others.
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6:40 p.m.
Current Traffic Sitch
😡Heavy Traffic NB I-5 to Dwntwn
😡Heavy SB I-5 to Dwntwn
😡Heavy EB and WB W Seattle Br b/t I-5 & Dexter
😡Heavy SB on 1st Ave S in SODO
And no surprise 😡on all major Dwntwn roads. #heavyisthehead that drives downtown #SeattleSqueeze— seattledot (@seattledot) January 31, 2019
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6:20 p.m.
The Lower Spokane Street Bridge is now reopened in both directions.
UPDATE: The Lower Spokane St bridge is back open in both directions.
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 31, 2019
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6:15 p.m.
SDOT is currently assessing the situation, and says they’ll have a better idea on a fix by around 7 p.m.
We're waiting for staff to arrive and assess the situation. By 7 PM, we'll have a better idea of when the bridge is expecting to re-open. For now, continue to use alternate routes and expect delays in the area. Thank you for your patience. @SDOTtraffic @SDOTbridges
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 31, 2019
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6:00 p.m.
SPD is arriving on scene at the Lower Spokane Street Bridge to manage people getting of buses and walking in intersections.
Sounds like @SeattlePD staff will be arriving soon to monitor. Thanks for the heads up.
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 31, 2019
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5:35 p.m.
A technical issue has closed the Lower Spokane Street Bridge. There’s no ETA on a fix, but the issue is being addressed.
No ETA for reopening the Lower Spokane St Bridge due to a technical issue with the bridge's arms. A mechanic is addressing the issue. We're expecting some backups – please avoid this route if possible and expect delays. Thanks for your patience. https://t.co/FWp4RkkbWB
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 31, 2019
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5:30 p.m.
Travel times are looking good throughout Seattle and Bellevue. Details:
To paraphrase Gordon Gecko, green is good. The first number is the normal travel time, the second the current and the third the current ETL/HOV times. pic.twitter.com/MOxKxmPwaB
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 31, 2019
Lots more green leaving Seattle too. pic.twitter.com/k7aEej5bbQ
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 31, 2019
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5:10 p.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (5 PM):
🔴Heavy NB/SB I-5 into Downtown
🔴Heavy EB West Seattle Bridge btwn I-5 & Dexter
🔴Heavy Mercer St btwn I-5 & Dexter
🔴Heavy SB 1st Ave S in SODO
🔴Heavy on major roads in Downtown
🔶Moderate on city bridges
✅Light SB on 4th Ave S in SODO— seattledot (@seattledot) January 31, 2019
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4:45 p.m.
Cleared 4:34 PM : On the I-90 eastbound off-ramp to Bellevue Way there is an incident blocking the ramp and the right lane.
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 31, 2019
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4:15 p.m.
Travel times Seattle to:
Bellevue via 520 11 min, HOV 12; via 90 12/12
Everett 44/33
Issaquah 18/18
Renton 19/16
FedWay 29/27— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 31, 2019
Travel times Bellevue to:
Everett 56min/ETL 30
FedWay 55/HOV 40
Issaquah 15/14
Renton 34/21
Seattle via 520 18/17, via 90 18/18— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 30, 2019
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4:00 p.m.
With #99StepForward this wknd, keep in mind if 🚗 to #Seattle terminal this Saturday, 2/2:
🚫5-11a: SB lanes of 1st Ave S closed btwn Royal Brougham & Columbia St.
🚫4a-8p: Alaskan Way closed south of S King St.
✅Bypass closures by taking Madison St. ➡️Alaskan Way➡️#ColmanDock pic.twitter.com/AodPxnWCkV— Washington State Ferries (@wsferries) January 30, 2019
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3:45 p.m.
All roads in Bothell are now clear following a bus crash.
UPDATE: Collision on 228th at 35th SE has been cleared and roadway is open both directions.
— Bothell Police (@BothellPolice) January 30, 2019
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3:30 p.m.
Streets are still closed in Bothell from the three-car bus crash, while lineups start to build across the major commute areas on freeways.
Meanwhile, a few closure updates regarding Viadoom:
When this closure happens, we will no longer have the SR 99 off- and on-ramps at Western Avenue to use if driving to/from our #ColmanDock! https://t.co/2vrAKXeebs
— Washington State Ferries (@wsferries) January 30, 2019
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3:00 p.m.
A three car crash involving a school bus has streets closed in Bothell. Expect the roadway to be closed for “a little awhile” says Tracy.
Three car blocking collision has E/B 228th ST SE closed between 35th SE and 31st SE. School bus was involved in the collision, however no children were on the bus at the time. No significant injuries being reported. pic.twitter.com/xG3RKDiXhE
— Bothell Police (@BothellPolice) January 30, 2019
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9:18 a.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (9 AM):
🔴Heavy NB/SB I-5 into Downtown
🔴Heavy EB W Seattle Bridge
🔴Heavy SB SR 99 into Downtown
🔴Heavy NB 1st Ave S in SODO
🔴Heavy on Downtown roads
🔶Moderate on Mercer St
🔶Moderate NB 4th Ave S in SODO
✅Light NB 1st Ave Bridge— seattledot (@seattledot) January 30, 2019
9:10 a.m.
The multiple-car collision near the convention center in Seattle involved eight vehicles. That scene has already cleared, but not after causing a massive backup. Sullivan still recommends avoiding northbound I-5 into Seattle.
9 a.m.
“Avoid northbound I-5 into downtown if you can,” Sullivan said.
A nine mile backup has formed behind a multiple-car collision near the convention center. Four lanes are blocked. The drive from Southcenter into Seattle is about 20 minutes longer that usual — 55 minutes
“Bail at Boeing Access Road,” Sullivan says. “Take Airport Way or take MLK to get into the city. You want no part of I-5 right now.”
8:45 a.m.
#DowntownSeattle: A multi-vehicle crash is blocking the 4 left lanes of NB I-5 @ Olive Way. Only the right lane is getting by. Expect this to cause delays through the area! Crews are in route now. pic.twitter.com/acCyTuchGj
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 30, 2019
8:35 a.m.
If you want to bail from I5 NB, there is still a decent option on Airport Way. A little slowing near Lucille but ok. MLK is also good. #Realign99
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 30, 2019
8:30 a.m.
Traffic around Seattle is getting better, but Sullivan points out that the worst drive this morning is the northbound I-5 drive into Seattle. Slowing starts in the middle of Boeing Field. It’s 41 minutes to travel from Southcenter into downtown Seattle.
The exit around Boeing Access Road is an option. Drivers would then take MLK.
The West Seattle Bridge is still a crawl feeding into I-5.
It’s an hour traveling from Everett to Seattle on southbound I-5.
8:10 a.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (8 AM):
🔴Heavy NB/SB I-5 into Downtown
🔴Heavy EB W Seattle Bridge
🔴Heavy SB SR 99 into Downtown
🔴Heavy NB 1st Ave S in SODO
🔶Moderate on Mercer St
🔶Moderate NB 4th Ave S in SODO
🔶Moderate NB 1st Ave Bridge
🔶Moderate on Downtown roads— seattledot (@seattledot) January 30, 2019
7:50 a.m.
It’s a solid eight miles backed up behind a collision on southbound I-5 near 145th near Shoreline. The scene is off to the right shoulder. It is an hour to travel from Lynnwood to downtown Seattle.
The drive from Federal Way to Seattle takes about an hour. Traffic from the middle of Boeing Field into downtown is a crawl.
7:38 a.m.
Travel times continue to rise.
There is a collision on southbound I-5 near 145th near Shoreline. It’s off to the shoulder, but it has snarled traffic. It’s an hour and 10 minutes to drive from Everett to Seattle.
Driving northbound from Federal Way to Seattle is an hour.
The slow backup on the West Seattle Bridge has extended to Admiral Way.
7:30 a.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (7 AM):
🔴Heavy NB/SB I-5 into Downtown
🔴Heavy EB W Seattle Bridge
🔴Heavy NB 1st/4th Ave S in SODO
🔶Moderate Mercer St btwn I-5 & Dexter
🔶Moderate NB on the 1st Ave Bridge
✅Light NB/SB on SR 99 north of Downtown
✅Light on major roads in Downtown— seattledot (@seattledot) January 30, 2019
7:13 a.m.
Metro’s Wednesday AM Commute: Transit delays are continuing due to traffic congestion on surface streets south of downtown Seattle https://t.co/P1TfmVy5fz
— King County Metro🚏🚎⛴ (@kcmetrobus) January 30, 2019
Looks like our @SeattlePD friends are working the EB West Seattle Bridge. Hanging on right shoulder.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 30, 2019
7 a.m.
There was a collision on westbound I-90, just after the lid on Mercer Island. This has caused a backup across Mercer Island. The scene is now moved off to the side of the road, but it is slowing down traffic.
#MercerIsland: A crash is blocking the left g.p. lane of WB I-90 on the floating bridge. pic.twitter.com/e5T59jcJCb
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 30, 2019
Driving Everett to Seattle takes about 55 minutes.
Federal Way to Seattle is an hour.
“If you want to eject from I-5 at Boeing Access Road onto Airport Way, it’s a little slow at the north end of the airport, but you will get through it OK,” Sullivan said.
6:40 a.m.
Sullivan says it looks normal, but not too great on the roads.
“The slowing we have from the middle of Boeing Field into downtown, those are the early commuters because of the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure,” Sullivan said. “The window has officially closed on the West Seattle Bridge as being a good way to get over to I-5. It’s backed up to Delridge.”
It’s about 30 minutes driving north from Southcenter into Seattle. It’s 50 minutes driving south from Everett to Seattle.
6:30 a.m.
THIS MORNING!!!@wsdot_traffic will close the Hood Canal Bridge to traffic 2 times btwn 8:45 and 11a for maintenance work.
Each closure is anticipated to last less than 60 min. Crews will open the bridge to traffic after the first closure to clear traffic before closing it again.— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 30, 2019
6:20 a.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (6 AM):
🔴Heavy NB I-5 into Downtown
🔶Moderate SB I-5 into Downtown
🔶Moderate EB W Seattle Bridge
🔶Moderate NB 1st Ave Bridge
✅Light Mercer St
✅Light NB 1st Ave S in SODO
✅Light NB 4th Ave S in SODO
✅Light NB/SB SR 99 into Downtown— seattledot (@seattledot) January 30, 2019
6 a.m.
Window closing to use West Seattle Bridge eb without a backup. #Realign99
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 30, 2019
5:45 a.m.
Traffic is already building in some areas on this chilly Wednesday morning. Bundle up, grab that warm cup of ☕️ or 🍵 & make sure you check travel times before you go – https://t.co/Fh3UVnL4sY. pic.twitter.com/lXjiXsJlYg
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 30, 2019
