MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Drivers faced tough challenges on Tuesday during viaduct closure

May 2, 2016, 5:19 AM | Updated: May 3, 2016, 9:34 pm

Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct remains closed for about two weeks. While the first Monday of the commute was relatively trouble free with little traffic snarls, Tuesday’s morning and evening drives saw considerable accidents and slowdowns on surface streets, highways and freeways.

Stay up-to-date on traffic conditions throughout the area by listening to KIRO Radio and check our online traffic map before you head out the door.

6:36 p.m. UPDATE: Reports indicate this is a rolled-over car.

6:20 p.m. UPDATE: Crash on northbound Aurora Avenue at 145th Street North blocking right lane.

6:13 p.m. UPDATE:


6:08 p.m. UPDATE:
Fremont Bridge and Ballard Bridge freeing up with less backups affecting nearby streets.

6:04 p.m. UPDATE: Collision blocking right lane of I-5 southbound near SR 520.

6 p.m. UPDATE: Left lane blocked on northbound I-5 at Lake City Way.

5:56 p.m. UPDATE:

5:51 p.m. UPDATE: Northbound I-5 somewhat improves — very slow through Seattle from King County Airport to 80th Street, but smooth driving elsewhere on the freeway.

5:42 p.m. UPDATE:

5:24 p.m. UPDATE:

5:19 p.m. UPDATE: Eastbound I-90 across Lake Washington is now showing more significant backups starting in Seattle, and more through Mercer Island.

5:16 p.m. UPDATE: NE 45th Street and NE 50th Street backed up crossing I-5 in Wallingford and University District.

5:12 p.m. UPDATE: SR 99 from Green Lake north to Lynnwood intermittently backed up in both directions.

5:08 p.m. UPDATE: Montlake Boulevard and Pacific Street backed up through the University of Washington campus leading to SR 520.


5:05 p.m. UPDATE:
Southbound I-5 backup now extending between downtown Seattle and Northgate.

5:02 p.m. UPDATE: Northbound I-5 backed up between Spring Street in downtown Seattle and the King County Airport.

4:58 p.m. UPDATE: Collision blocking right center lane on eastbound I-90 just east of Mercer Way on Mercer Island.

4:55 p.m. UPDATE: About a 15 minutes delay from Northgate to Olive Street on I-5 southbound into Seattle.


4:52 p.m. UPDATE:

4:42 p.m. UPDATE: 12th Avenue South backed up between Weller Street and Pike Street. Neighboring Broadway is backed up between Madison and East Mercer Street.

4:39 p.m. UPDATE: Pike Street backed up between I-5 and Capitol Hill.

4:34 p.m. UPDATE: Stalled bus on 6th Avenue at Madison Street is blocking the northbound right lane.

4:30 p.m. UPDATE: Downtown Seattle seeped in red. Avoid surface streets if you can.
Downtown seattle

4:26 p.m. UPDATE:

4:15 p.m. UPDATE: Northbound, and eastbound, on SR 522 experiencing backups over the north end of Lake Washington between Bothell and Lake City in Seattle. Westbound is slow between Bothell and Kenmore.

4:10 p.m. UPDATE: Westbound backups are forming on the SR 520 floating bridge into Seattle.

4:06 p.m. UPDATE: Westbound I-90 has started to slow down — backups stretching from Bellevue, across Mercer Island, and into downtown Seattle.

4:02 p.m. UPDATE:

3:53 p.m. UPDATE:

3:40 p.m. UPDATES: I-5 express lanes between 45th Street and Lake City Way in Seattle are solid red on the traffic map. Expect backups. Express lanes are currently flowing northbound. Seattle’s express lanes have a special schedule during the viaduct closure.

3:35 p.m. UPDATE: The Seattle Bike Blog reports that on Monday, bike traffic on the West Seattle Bridge spiked by 80 percent — likely folks trying to avoid bad traffic during the viaduct closure. That amounts to 2,525 bicycle trips that day. The old record was 1,847.


3:30 p.m. UPDATE:
2nd Avenue is the slowest in the downtown Seattle area. Also, 5th and 4th Avenues are not looking good either.

3:24 p.m. UPDATE:

3:20 p.m. UPDATE: Disabled car on southbound I-5 at Mercer Street moved to the side of the freeway.

3:13 p.m. UPDATE: Northbound I-5 slow between University District and Martha Lake.

3:07 p.m. UPDATE: Eastbound Mercer Street backups now extending from I-5 to Lower Queen Anne. Disabled vehicle blocking center lane of southbound I-5 at Mercer Street.

3:05 p.m. UPDATE: Ballard Bridge backing up in both directions on 15th Avenue.

3 p.m. UPDATE:

2:56 p.m. UPDATE: I-405 backing up between Bellevue and Renton in both directions — the alternative freeway to avoid I-5 through Seattle.

2:54: p.m. UPDATE:
Edgar Martinez Drive backed up, feeding onto I-5, and 4th Avenue South.

2:52 p.m. UPDATE: Southbound Alaskan Way underneath the viaduct is solid red on the traffic map, bleeding onto Yesler Way and 1st Avenue South.

2:50 p.m. UPDATE: Disabled vehicle blocking left lane on I-5 southbound onramp from SR 520.

2:48 p.m. UPDATE:


2:46 p.m. UPDATE:
Backups starting to surround the Fremont Bridge, especially southbound — affecting North 34th Street, North 36th Street, Westlake Avenue, Nickerson Street and Florentia Street.

2:42 p.m. UPDATE: Backup on southbound I-5 into downtown Seattle is now extending to Northgate.

2:37 p.m. UPDATE: Both directions of 23rd Avenue between Madison and I-90 are intermittently backing up. That is intersecting with backups on Jackson Street.

2:32 p.m. UPDATE: Eastbound I-90 at 8th Avenue is starting to stack up.

2:21 UPDATE Traffic building on northbound I-405. KIRO Radio traffic reporter Chris Sullivan’s theory is people are using I-405 versus I-5.

2:15 UPDATE: Eastbound on West Seattle Bridge stacking up between East Marginal Way and I-5.

2:13 UPDATE: Lots of red on the traffic map for both Roosevelt and Montlake.

2:10 UPDATE: Both directions of Denny and Mercer starting to get busy.

2:03 UPDATE: Traffic backed up on SB I-5 from 80th to Convention Center in downtown Seattle.

Tuesday morning updates:

9:25 UPDATE: Traffic continues to clear along major routes around Seattle.

9:15 UPDATE: Stuck in traffic this week because of the viaduct closure? Try and make the best of it.

9:05 UPDATE: Surface streets into downtown still seeing some heavy traffic.

8:55 UPDATE: Northbound I-5 remains backed up well before downtown Seattle exits.

8:50 UPDATE: Traffic clearing in some areas.

8:45 UPDATE: The car that hit and killed a 50-year-old man at Taylor and Denny in Seattle was exiting an apartment building, KIRO 7 reports.

8:40 UPDATE: KIRO 7 reports the person hit and killed by a vehicle in Seattle was a 50-year-old man. He was declared dead at the scene near Taylor Avenue and Denny Way.

8:35 UPDATE: State DOT warning drivers to head out early. Federal Way to Bellevue is taking 83 minutes!

8:30 UPDATE: Volumes beginning to build on 4th Avenue South. Delays remain on West Seattle Bridge.

8:25 UPDATE: Expect delays into Seattle, even if you take the bus.

8:20 UPDATE: Drivers on northbound I-5 still having a tough commute into Seattle.

8:15 UPDATE: Crash on southbound I-5 at Ravenna cleared … again.

8:10 UPDATE: An earlier crash near Ravenna is still blocking the right lane of southbound I-5, making the Tuesday commute a little more frustrating for those drivers coming from the north into Seattle.

8:05 UPDATE: A rollover crash on northbound I-5 near Albro Place and Boeing Field cleared hours ago but drivers are still dealing with the aftermath of it. KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan says drivers trying to avoid SR 99 due to the viaduct closure ended up getting caught in the extensive backups.

8 UPDATE: King County Metro continuing to experience delays thanks to the viaduct closure.

7:55 UPDATE: I-405 drive from Tukwila to Bellevue is up to an hour, KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports.

7:50 UPDATE: Surface streets continue to be jammed up in some areas of Seattle.

7:45 UPDATE: Seattle DOT reporting traffic is relatively light on 4th Avenue South and Airport Way South. Drivers stuck on I-5 may want to consider alternate routes.

7:40 UPDATE: Seattle PD confirmed the car versus pedestrian near Taylor Avenue is a fatality.

7:35 UPDATE: KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports drivers are underutilizing SR 99. It’s still possible to get to Western despite the closure.

7:30 UPDATE: A crash on SB I-5 just before Ravenna Boulevard is partially blocking the right lane. Expect delays.

7:25 UPDATE: SR 167 northbound is “just hammered,” KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports. West Valley Highway also slammed, he says. Sullivan suggests drivers make their way over to MLK Way if they can. Airport Way is “no good,” nor are 1st and 4th avenues. The West Seattle Bridge continues to be backed up.

7:20 UPDATE: Taylor Avenue North open for now. Subject to closure due to car versus pedestrian crash.

7:15 a.m. UPDATE: Car versus pedestrian is potentially fatal, KIRO 7 reports.

7:10 a.m. UPDATE: A car versus pedestrian is going to cause delays on Denny Way at Taylor Avenue.

7:05 a.m. UPDATE: Current travel times include Federal Way to Seattle at a whopping 65 minutes. Everett to Seattle 54 minutes.

7 a.m. UPDATE: KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports drivers are “hosed” on NB SR 167 and NB I-405 after the earlier crash on NB I-5 near Boeing Field and Albro Place.

6:55 a.m. UPDATE: Possible Crash on Taylor Avenue, north of Denny Way, could cause possible delays on Seattle surface streets. (Update on rollover near Boeing Field: Two vehicles involved. Non-injury)

6:50 a.m. UPDATE: King County Metro warning of delays eastbound across West Seattle Bridge and northbound on 1st Avenue South.

6:45 a.m. UPDATE: SB I-405 is seeing relatively normal drive times.

6:40 a.m. UPDATE: Drivers avoiding SR 99 closure and earlier rollover on NB I-5 are encountering a seven-mile backup between Tukwila and New Castle on I-405. SR 167 seeing 20-minute delays; 40 minutes to drive from Auburn to Renton. Eastbound West Seattle traffic seeing three-mile backup across bridge.

6:35 a.m. UPDATE: KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports there is still a “solid backup” on NB I-5 heading toward Boeing Field.

6:30 a.m. UPDATE: Crash on NB I-5 on-ramp from Interurban. HOV lane blocked.

6:25 a.m. UPDATE: The rollover crash near Albro Place on NB I-5 near Boeing Field cleared. KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports a six-mile backup.

6:20 a.m. UPDATE: Sound Transit reporting delays due to the congestion on I-5.

6:15 a.m. UPDATE: A tow truck on scene to remove the vehicle that rolled over on NB I-5 near Boeing Field was forced to block another lane of traffic.

6:10 a.m. UPDATE: Seattle DOT reporting delays on SR 509.

6:05 a.m. UPDATE: The drive from Federal Way to Seattle is at least an hour due to the rollover crash near Albro Place, KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports.

6 a.m. UPDATE: No other major blocking incidents on the roads being reported. King County Metro warning of service delays for routes on NB I-5.

5:55 a.m. UPDATE: Rollover at Albro Place now blocking one lane. Tow trucks en route. Significant backups.

5:50 a.m. UPDATE: Vehicle involved in rollover cleared from NB I-5, but traffic is jammed near Boeing Field. Backups of at least five miles.

5:45 a.m. UPDATE: Some emergency vehicles have cleared from rollover scene near Albro. Backups already four miles on NB I-5. Drivers should head east or over to SR 99 and then to surface streets.

5:40 a.m. UPDATE: Stop-and-go traffic on NB I-5 south of Albro due to rollover. Delay of about 10 minutes.

5:35 a.m. UPDATE: With only the HOV lane open on NB I-5 near Boeing Field, KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan suggests drivers “AVOID. AVOID. AVOID,” and get to I-405.

5:30 a.m. UPDATE: Serious rollover crash blocking four right lanes of NB I-5 near Albro.

6:58 p.m. UPDATE: Floating SR 520 bridge is moving smoothly.
520vc00241

6:55 p.m. UPDATE: Southbound I-5 delays now extending between University District and Spring Street in downtown Seattle.

6:03 p.m. UPDATE:

5:58 p.m. UPDATE:

5:56 p.m. UPDATE:

5:24 p.m. UPDATE: Commuters lining up to ride King County Metro transit.



5:14 p.m. UPDATE:
Snohomish-area transit also noting effects of the viaduct closure.

5:05 p.m. UPDATE:

4:58 p.m. UPDATE:

4:53 p.m. UPDATE: Northbound Bothell Way / Lake City Way over the north end of Lake Washington is slowing down. Southbound is intermittently slow into Seattle.

4:49 p.m. UPDATE: Traffic now slowed down across the entire westbound I-90 floating bridge across Lake Washington.

4:45 p.m. UPDATE: Traffic on southbound I-5 a little bit better — slow down begins at around Northgate.

4:25 p.m. UPDATE: Transit riders expressing frustration over #99closure.

4:18 p.m. UPDATE: Southbound traffic on Montlake Boulevard, and Pacific Street, through the University District is extremely slow.

4:16 p.m. UPDATE: Westbound traffic starting to turn red on the map for Highway 520 floating bridge. Traffic is slowing down.

4:09 p.m. UPDATE: Collision blocking left lane on ramp from southbond I-5 to I-90.

4:06 p.m. UPDATE: Southbound I-5 traffic into Seattle now backed up past I-405 connection at the north end.

4 p.m. UPDATE: Traffic into downtown on I-5 at Eastlake.
Roanoke

3:53 p.m. UPDATE:

3:44 p.m. UPDATE: KIRO Radio traffic reporter says that there is about a 5 minute backup eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge toward I-5 which is unusual for this time of day.

3:39 p.m. UPDATE: Southbound I-5 backup into downtown Seattle, now extending up to Mountlake Terrace.

3:35 p.m. UPDATE:
Northbound I-5 into Seattle slowing down from King County International Airport.

3:34 p.m. UPDATE:

3:31 p.m. UPDATE: Westbound I-90 floating bridge is starting to see some red — traffic slowing around Mercer Island heading into Seattle.

3:25 p.m. UPDATE: KIRO Radio traffic reporter notes that people seem to be leaving work a little early to try to beat the traffic into West Seattle.


3:23 p.m. UPDATE:

3:16 p.m. UPDATE: Meanwhile, the viaduct looks like this.
SR99_Viaduct

3:07 p.m. UPDATE: Backup on southbound I-5 now extending past Northgate. About a 15 minute delay from Northgate down to Union Street in downtown Seattle.
005vc16939

3:04 p.m. UPDATE: A lot of red bleeding into the traffic map. Traffic slowing on 23rd Avenue East.
Untitled-1

2:58 p.m. UPDATE: Backups on Mercer Street, and onto Westlake Avenue heading toward I-5 entrances.
Untitled-1

2:48 p.m. UPDATE: Congestion thickens on southbound I-5 from Northgate into downtown Seattle. Traffic is getting slower.
005vc16702

2:36 p.m. UPDATE:

2:26 p.m. UPDATE:

2:25 p.m. UPDATE: Traffic slow, backing up on southbound I-5 from NE 92nd Avenue into downtown Seattle.
005vc16702

2:20 p.m. UPDATE:

2 p.m. UPDATE: Delays have begun on Southbound I-5 as it enters Seattle.

10:15 a.m. UPDATE: WSDOT reports times are improving, but they are still above average from the south end.

9:50 a.m. UPDATE: Surface streets in SODO remain backed up as commuters make their way into the city.

9:35 a.m. UPDATE: Drive times from Everett to Seattle is 40 minutes; Issaquah to Seattle 25 minutes; Federal Way to Bellevue or Seattle is 50 minutes.

9:30 a.m. UPDATE: Thinning out on the main lines, but collision in Woodinville is blocking the left lane of WB 522 at Washington 202.

9:25 a.m. UPDATE: Southbound I-5 slow heading into Seattle.

9:20 a.m. UPDATE: Northbound I-5 into Seattle still slow.

9:15 a.m. UPDATE: A crash on Aurora Avenue North at North 40th Street is causing drivers some frustration.

9:10 a.m. UPDATE: Minor crashes on surface roads may contribute to added delays for morning commutes.

9:05 a.m. UPDATE: King County Metro says service delays on major routes should begin to subside soon.

9 a.m. UPDATE: Southbound I-5 congested from about Green Lake now.

8:55 a.m. UPDATE: The West Seattle Bridge is clearing.

8:50 a.m. UPDATE: Congestion remains on 1st Avenue South and I-5. Seattle DOT reporting light to moderate traffic on West Seattle Bridge and 4th Avenue South.

8:45 a.m. UPDATE: KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports some “unusual slowing” SR 167 and northbound I-405. Drive times from Auburn to Renton are about 30 Minutes. Renton to Bellevue is about 35 minutes. Everett to Bellevue is 45 minutes

8:40 a.m. UPDATE: Traffic north of Seattle starting to clear up.

8:35 a.m. UPDATE: Southbound SR 99 remains the best option into Seattle, KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports.

8:30 a.m. UPDATE: Drivers on I-90 feeling the impacts of the viaduct closure.

8:25 a.m. UPDATE: Renton to Seattle remains 50 minutes. Lynnwood to Seattle 35 minutes.

8:20 a.m. UPDATE: Commute times beginning to come down, KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan says. Everett to Seattle around 50 minutes.

8:15 a.m. UPDATE: Southbound I-5 traffic into Seattle remains slow.

8:10 a.m. UPDATE: KIRO Radio’s Jillian Raftery reports seeing many people using transit this morning. Alternate routes/methods are working, she says.

8:05 a.m. UPDATE: Traffic on surface streets remains congested in some areas, including Rainier Avenue and MLK Way.

8 a.m. UPDATE: King County Metro warning of possible delays for transit service on I-5 commuter routes.

7:55 a.m. UPDATE: “If you were at a horse track, I’d take 4th Ave S to points north.”

7:50 a.m. UPDATE: Driver reported making it from Greenwood to West Seattle in 21 minutes via SB 99 through Battery Street Tunnel.

7:45 a.m. UPDATE: Everett to Seattle reaching an hour.

7:40 a.m. UPDATE: Traffic remains heavy on West Seattle Bridge. King County Metro reports high ridership for water taxi from West Seattle to downtown Seattle.

7:35 a.m. UPDATE: There are more brake lights than usual on MLK Way into Seattle, KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports.

7:30 a.m. UPDATE: Everett to Seattle is 51 minutes, 49 minutes in the HOV lanes.

7:30 a.m. UPDATE: Lynnwood to Seattle running at 39 minutes, slightly above average.

7:25 a.m. UPDATE: Airport Way beginning to slow down due to viaduct closure. Commutes on many roads into Seattle seeing well above average times.

7:20 a.m. UPDATE: Many drivers avoiding Alaskan Way altogether. I-5, I-405, and SR 167 being used as alternatives.

7:15 a.m. UPDATE: Heavy congestion being reported on northbound I-5, West Seattle Bridge, 1st Avenue South.

7:10 a.m. UPDATE: Commute on northbound I-5 into downtown Seattle now 20 minutes above average.

7:05 a.m. UPDATE: King County Metro warning of possible service delays on commuter routes northbound on I-5 (Federal Way to Seattle) and on I-405 from Renton to Bellevue.

7 a.m. UPDATE: Glare from the sun could cause slowdowns in some areas.

6:55 a.m. UPDATE: Heavy backups already being seen on the Ship Canal Bridge.

6:50 a.m. UPDATE: Some commuters reporting public transportation is more full than usual.

6:45 a.m. UPDATE: Traffic starting to build on Seattle’s surface streets.

6:40 a.m. UPDATE: KIRO Radio’s Jillian Raftery reporting it takes about 10 minutes to merge from I-90 to I-5.

6:35 a.m. UPDATE: West Seattle Bridge “already jammed.”

6:30 a.m. UPDATE: A disabled vehicle blocking the left lane of northbound I-5 near Federal Way is going to add to the growing traffic backups.

6:25 a.m. UPDATE: KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan says traffic is ‘an hour earlier than usual.”

6:20 a.m. UPDATE: Seattle DOT reports traffic is already building eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge.

6:15 a.m. UPDATE: Commute from Boeing Field into Seattle is already 10 minutes longer than normal.

6:10 a.m. UPDATE: Federal Way to Seattle already 44 minutes.

6:05 a.m. UPDATE: Drivers using southbound Battery Street Tunnel must exit at Western.

6 a.m. UPDATE: Seattle DOT reports most major routes are light to moderate right now.

5:55 a.m. UPDATE:Drivers on northbound I-5 seeing backups near West Seattle Bridge.

5:50 a.m. UPDATE:Traffic backing up on northbound I-5 earlier than usual, according to WSDOT.

5:45 a.m. UPDATE:There are 12 incident response teams standing by to clear crashes quickly and get traffic moving again.

5:40 a.m. UPDATE: KIRO Radio’s Jillian Raftery reports the state is expecting bad traffic, but officials are unsure exactly how things will shake out.

5:35 a.m. UPDATE: Traffic through Seattle (near Yesler Way) on northbound I-5 starting to backup.

5:30 a.m. UPDATE: Earlier crash on northbound I-5 near Kent causing delays as more drivers hit the road for the Monday commute.

5:25 a.m. UPDATE: I-5 already beginning to see heavier traffic than usual.

5:15 a.m. UPDATE: Seattle DOT reporting light traffic through the city.

5:10 a.m. UPDATE: Traffic light right now. Plan on heavy traffic, KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan says.

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Drivers faced tough challenges on Tuesday during viaduct closure