Viadoom Week 2: Live updates from the afternoon commute
Jan 23, 2019, 5:45 AM | Updated: Jan 24, 2019, 3:12 pm
The first week of the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure was easy on drivers. But the second week is when Viadoom showed up in Seattle. That was apparent Wednesday morning when KIRO Radio Traffic Reporter Chris Sullivan called conditions a “soup of nastiness.”
After the MLK holiday, Tuesday brought Viadoom’s worst commute yet. The morning showed signs of a slowing, leading to the evening when more cars flooded the roads in rainy weather.
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Multiple collisions throughout the region only made Viadoom worse Wednesday morning. A semi-truck crashed on I-5 in Tacoma around 3:30 a.m., causing a major disruption. The truck crashed into a jersey barrier, causing other vehicles to crash. The scene blocked all lanes of I-5 for hours into the commute. This is the sixth semi-truck crash into a jersey barrier in that same area of I-5 since October 2018, KIRO 7 reports.
With rainy weather subsiding at least momentarily, let’s find out how the afternoon commute is going
Below are updates on the Wednesday commute, including reports from KIRO Radio Traffic Reporters Chris Sullivan and Tracy Taylor.
—
6:00 p.m.
the back up on Mercer is now from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to I=5
Denny is jammed up from Denny Park to Stewart #seattlesqueeze #viadoom— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) January 24, 2019
—
5:30 p.m.
After a brief outage, WSDOT’s travel times tracking is back online. Current times out of Bellevue:
Had a little trouble with our travel times, but they're back now and generally better than normal, with a few requiring an extra minutes. FYI first number is normal travel time, second is current, third is HOV/ETL. pic.twitter.com/Cs9HTPRSSr
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 24, 2019
—
5:00 p.m.
Travel times have firmly returned to the “surprisingly manageable” category this evening.
The traffic map actually looks a little better than usual for 4:15pm Wednesday, and for the most part travel times shorter than average The biggest exceptions are FedWay-Tacoma (45 min) and SeaTac-Seattle (23 min). pic.twitter.com/SFWqDwxEqJ
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 24, 2019
—
4:30 p.m.
traffic along Mercer has been reasonable today. However, the line up is from Dexter to the I-5 ramps.
Denny is lined up from Westlake to Stewart. pic.twitter.com/SPWTONjMJk— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 24, 2019
—
4:00 p.m.
Looks like good weather has kept the commute this evening reasonable.
Travel times are good for the start of the afternoon -everything quicker than average except Bellevue-Renton (37 min), FedWay-Tacoma (40 min) and some HOV/ETL times.
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 23, 2019
—
3:40 p.m.
This pm looking good.. so far. Hang ups SB 5 frm Ravenna to West Seattle Bridge, hwy 18 to the dome.
SB 405 jammed after 520 to Newcastle. Surface streets are filling in, including Mercer from 5th ave north and the usual 25 min to get from Stewart to I-5 #seattlesqueeze #viadoom— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) January 23, 2019
—
3:00 p.m.
Things we have working for us this pm.. DRY weather! Could this pm be as bad as yesterday? Will we see a turn in the commute now that the weather is drying up? I'm watching that like a hawk!
I'll get you home tonight every 10 min on the 3's with @CandyMikeTodd on @KIRORadio pic.twitter.com/dxKpQkmfwA— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) January 23, 2019
—
10:15 a.m.
The temptation is real! And we know it’s hard. When you feel like reverting back to your old mode of traveling. #JustDont Keep on Squeez’n, Seattle! 🚲🚶🚶♀️🚌🚇⛴🛸#SeattleSqueeze https://t.co/9TaIc0Jw9R pic.twitter.com/IYpGIfvdgt
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 23, 2019
9:54 a.m.
Northbound drivers, and commuters over the West Seattle Bridge, seem to be affected the most by the closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, day after day. Slowing starts at Boeing Field.
It’s more than an hour from Federal Way to Seattle, with 50 minutes from Southcenter alone.
The West Seattle Bridge is still crawling, but the surface streets around the bridge are freeing up. Routes through SoDo, such as Airport Way, are an option to avoid I-5.
The drive from Everett to Seattle is an hour and 10 minutes.
9:40 a.m.
ALL CLEAR on the WB I-90 off-ramp to SB I-405 in #Factoria. pic.twitter.com/eBf4xGZoZL
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 23, 2019
9:20 a.m.
Travel times are finally starting to come down.
The West Seattle Bridge is still slow, with backups all the way to Harbor Avenue.
It’s an hour and 10 minutes from Everett to Seattle or Bellevue.
Federal Way to Seattle is about an hour, with 45 minutes between Southcenter and downtown.
9 a.m.
While things are slow across most routes into Seattle, Sullivan notes that southbound SR99 into Seattle is a viable option. Traffic does slow down once across the Aurora Bridge, but before that, things are relatively smooth.
The 🌧️ has really done a number on this morning’s commute. If you haven’t left home yet, delay your trip or do some work from home if you can.
Biggest delays as of 8:45a:
🔸Everett->Seattle: 75 min (+15)
🔸Fed Way->Bellevue: 81 min (+16)
🔸Alderwood->Southcenter: 82 min (+22) pic.twitter.com/xsTV3kj4h1— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 23, 2019
8:45 a.m.
It’s a “soup of nastiness,” according to Sullivan.
It’s a 10 minute delay just getting into Everett because of a crash on I-5 near the Everett Mall. Then it’s an hour and 20 minutes between Everett and Seattle or Bellevue. The slowest traffic starts from Lynnwood into downtown Seattle.
Both the floating bridges over Lake Washington are showing significant westbound slowing heading toward Seattle. But compared to the rest of the traffic map, Sullivan notes, it’s not as bad.
8:30 a.m.
In from the @KIRORadio text line: 90 mins from Lake Stevens to Lynnwood. That is ugly.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 23, 2019
8:21 a.m.
There’s a stall, y’all on West Seattle Bridge. @AmityAddrisiK5 how you holding up? Wait, don’t respond while you’re driving! #visionzero #bethechange https://t.co/nEjldZ6Xn0
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 23, 2019
8:15 a.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (8 AM):
🔴Heavy NB/SB I-5 into Downtown
🔴Heavy EB on W Seattle Bridge
🔴Heavy SB on SR 99 into Downtown
🔴Heavy NB 1st/4th Ave S in SODO
🔴Heavy Mercer St btwn I-5 & Dexter
🔴Heavy NB along 1st Ave S Bridge
💚Light on Downtown roads— seattledot (@seattledot) January 23, 2019
8:07 a.m.
ALL CLEAR on NB I-405 before SR 167…but we still have a lane or two blocked about 1.5 miles up the road.
Fed Way->Bellevue: 82 minutes (+21)
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 23, 2019
8 a.m.
Collision on Lake City Way NE at 15th Ave NE blocking NB left lane. Use caution and expect delays. pic.twitter.com/zHWi38RSIp
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 23, 2019
Northbound drivers just can’t catch a break today.
Crash blocking left GP lane of I-405 before SR 167. Renton->Bellevue: 62 minutes (+26) pic.twitter.com/BxcZUIgxsz
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 23, 2019
7:50 a.m.
“It’s a day to forget,” Sullivan said.
It will take an hour and 5 minutes to drive the 11 miles between Renton and Bellevue this morning. That’s mostly due to a collision on northbound I-405, blocking the HOV lane near the SR167 interchange in Renton.
It’s still an hour and 10 minutes between Everett and Seattle or Everett to Bellevue.
It’s an hour between Federal Way to Seattle, with 50 of those minutes from Southcenter into downtown.
The West Seattle Bridge is a solid line of cars backed up to Delridge Way. There is a stalled car on the bridge making matters worse.
7:30 a.m.
While Tacoma is recovering, the crash in Everett continues to snarl the morning commute. The scene is down to blocking one right lane.
It’s an hour and 20 minutes from Everett to Seattle, or Everett to Bellevue.
It’s 50 minutes between Federal Way to Seattle, but 40 of those minutes are from Southcenter into downtown.
The West Seattle Bridge has traffic backed up to around Delridge Way.
“The good news is that the surface streets are not as backed up as they were yesterday,” Sullivan said.
The floating bridges over Lake Washington into Seattle are showing some slowing. It’s 25 minutes from Bellevue to Seattle on I-90, and about 15 minutes on SR520.
7:10 a.m.
Crews have cleared the scene of a semi-truck crash on I-5 in Tacoma. All northbound and southbound lanes have reopened. The backup from this incident stretched for 3.5 miles and could take time to recover.
Tacoma – All I-5 lanes, NB and SB, have reopened following an earlier semi collision. Thank you drivers for your patience, and thank you first responders for your great work.
— WSDOT Tacoma Traffic (@wsdot_tacoma) January 23, 2019
7 a.m.
Drivers using SR512 through Puyallup to avoid the blockage on I-5 in Tacoma are causing a 10 mile backup there — worse than the 3.5 mile backup on I-5. Sullivan recommends sticking with I-5 as it’s the lesser of the two snarls.
It’s an hour and 20 minutes from Everett to Seattle or Bellevue, largely due to a crash on the freeway near the Everett Mall.
The drive from Federal Way to Seattle is an hour and five minutes, and 40 of those minutes are from Southcenter.
6:45 a.m.
Current Sitch
🔴Heavy traffic- I-5 NB and moderate traffic on I-5 SB
💚Light traffic- SR 99 NB/SB south and north of downtown
💚 Light traffic- Mercer St to & from I-5 ramps
🔔Moderate traffic- West Seattle Bridge EB I-5 to 99 exit
🔔Moderate Traffic- the 1st Ave Bridge NB
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 23, 2019
6:40 a.m.
“We are just getting pummeled,” Sullivan says.
- All lanes of I-5 in Tacoma are still closed causing 5 mile backups in both directions, following a semi-truck crash.
- A collision on Southbound I-5 near the Everett Mall is blocking two right lanes.
- A crash is blocking the HOV lane on northbound I-5 near I-90. Traffic is already crawling from Albro Place on into downtown.
It’s an hour and 10 minutes from Everett to Seattle or Bellevue on I-5.
The drive from Federal Way to Seattle on I-5 is an hour, with 35 minutes of that trip from Southcenter.
The drive from Renton to Bellevue will take more than 30 minutes.
6:33 a.m.
Traffic in general has been way worse this week. #viadoom #Realign99
— JediFarfy (@jedifarfy) January 23, 2019
UPDATE: Train is now clear and all lanes are back open on S Spokane St.
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 23, 2019
6:20 a.m.
The West Seattle Bridge is backed up to SR99. Nearby, a BNSF train is stopped on the tracks blocking surface streets at Spokane Street and East Marginal Way in SoDo.
HEADS UP! If your commute takes you on Lower Spokane St, there’s a blockage along at the railroad crossing between E Marginal and 1st Aves S. #SeattleSqueeze pic.twitter.com/5uiNvjbIdj
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 23, 2019
6:10 a.m.
Everett to Seattle or Bellevue is up to 50 minutes now.
The Federal Way to Seattle drive is 50 minutes on I-5, with 25 of those minutes from Southcenter into downtown.
5:45 a.m.
Viadoom traffic has begun, about an hour earlier than usual which continues last week’s trend. Significant slowing is happening on northbound I-5 into Seattle, starting at Albro Place near Boeing Field.
The West Seattle Bridge is smooth so far, but a train is blocking the street at Spokane Street in SoDo, preventing traffic from moving.
It’s 40 minutes from Everett to Seattle or Bellevue.
The crash on SR512 has been cleared, but the semi-truck crash in Tacoma remains blocking all lanes of I-5. The truck took out the jersey barrier. As with similar incidents in the past, crews can take hours to replace the barrier and clear the scene. A tow truck has arrived to remove the truck. There is diesel fuel on the roadway that crews will have to clean up.
I went as far back at Oct 2018, there were 2 wrecks that month, 1 crash in December 2018 and 2 this month in the same place.
This crash marks the 2nd in less than a week on I-5 at Hwy 16. @RanjiKIRO7 is there and will have a live report at 4:30a on @KIRO7Seattle— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) January 23, 2019
5:30 a.m.
Viadoom hasn’t had a chance to make an impact this morning. Meanwhile, all lanes of I-5 are blocked in Tacoma after a collision involving a semi-truck, just south of the Tacoma Dome.
Northbound traffic has a 3.5 mile backup. Southbound is inching through by using collector-distributor lanes. Some drivers are trying to take SR512 or SR167 through Sumner. But a semi-collision on SR512 is slowing traffic there, causing a 5 mile backup in the eastbound lanes.
“This is going to be a significant slowdown over the morning, so plan accordingly,” Sullivan said.
UPDATE: Northbound AND Southbound traffic is being diverted. A secondary collision occurred northbound as a result of the barrier damage from the first collision. Minor injuries in both collisions. pic.twitter.com/C47Leh5Yqd
— Trooper Johnna Batiste (@wspd1pio) January 23, 2019
—
10:15 a.m.
The temptation is real! And we know it’s hard. When you feel like reverting back to your old mode of traveling. #JustDont Keep on Squeez’n, Seattle! 🚲🚶🚶♀️🚌🚇⛴🛸#SeattleSqueeze https://t.co/9TaIc0Jw9R pic.twitter.com/IYpGIfvdgt
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 23, 2019
9:54 a.m.
Northbound drivers, and commuters over the West Seattle Bridge, seem to be affected the most by the closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, day after day. Slowing starts at Boeing Field.
It’s more than an hour from Federal Way to Seattle, with 50 minutes from Southcenter alone.
The West Seattle Bridge is still crawling, but the surface streets around the bridge are freeing up. Routes through SoDo, such as Airport Way, are an option to avoid I-5.
The drive from Everett to Seattle is an hour and 10 minutes.
9:40 a.m.
ALL CLEAR on the WB I-90 off-ramp to SB I-405 in #Factoria. pic.twitter.com/eBf4xGZoZL
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 23, 2019
9:20 a.m.
Travel times are finally starting to come down.
The West Seattle Bridge is still slow, with backups all the way to Harbor Avenue.
It’s an hour and 10 minutes from Everett to Seattle or Bellevue.
Federal Way to Seattle is about an hour, with 45 minutes between Southcenter and downtown.
9 a.m.
While things are slow across most routes into Seattle, Sullivan notes that southbound SR99 into Seattle is a viable option. Traffic does slow down once across the Aurora Bridge, but before that, things are relatively smooth.
The 🌧️ has really done a number on this morning’s commute. If you haven’t left home yet, delay your trip or do some work from home if you can.
Biggest delays as of 8:45a:
🔸Everett->Seattle: 75 min (+15)
🔸Fed Way->Bellevue: 81 min (+16)
🔸Alderwood->Southcenter: 82 min (+22) pic.twitter.com/xsTV3kj4h1— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 23, 2019
8:45 a.m.
It’s a “soup of nastiness,” according to Sullivan.
It’s a 10 minute delay just getting into Everett because of a crash on I-5 near the Everett Mall. Then it’s an hour and 20 minutes between Everett and Seattle or Bellevue. The slowest traffic starts from Lynnwood into downtown Seattle.
Both the floating bridges over Lake Washington are showing significant westbound slowing heading toward Seattle. But compared to the rest of the traffic map, Sullivan notes, it’s not as bad.
8:30 a.m.
In from the @KIRORadio text line: 90 mins from Lake Stevens to Lynnwood. That is ugly.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 23, 2019
8:21 a.m.
There’s a stall, y’all on West Seattle Bridge. @AmityAddrisiK5 how you holding up? Wait, don’t respond while you’re driving! #visionzero #bethechange https://t.co/nEjldZ6Xn0
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 23, 2019
8:15 a.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (8 AM):
🔴Heavy NB/SB I-5 into Downtown
🔴Heavy EB on W Seattle Bridge
🔴Heavy SB on SR 99 into Downtown
🔴Heavy NB 1st/4th Ave S in SODO
🔴Heavy Mercer St btwn I-5 & Dexter
🔴Heavy NB along 1st Ave S Bridge
💚Light on Downtown roads— seattledot (@seattledot) January 23, 2019
8:07 a.m.
ALL CLEAR on NB I-405 before SR 167…but we still have a lane or two blocked about 1.5 miles up the road.
Fed Way->Bellevue: 82 minutes (+21)
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 23, 2019
8 a.m.
Collision on Lake City Way NE at 15th Ave NE blocking NB left lane. Use caution and expect delays. pic.twitter.com/zHWi38RSIp
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 23, 2019
Northbound drivers just can’t catch a break today.
Crash blocking left GP lane of I-405 before SR 167. Renton->Bellevue: 62 minutes (+26) pic.twitter.com/BxcZUIgxsz
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 23, 2019
7:50 a.m.
“It’s a day to forget,” Sullivan said.
It will take an hour and 5 minutes to drive the 11 miles between Renton and Bellevue this morning. That’s mostly due to a collision on northbound I-405, blocking the HOV lane near the SR167 interchange in Renton.
It’s still an hour and 10 minutes between Everett and Seattle or Everett to Bellevue.
It’s an hour between Federal Way to Seattle, with 50 of those minutes from Southcenter into downtown.
The West Seattle Bridge is a solid line of cars backed up to Delridge Way. There is a stalled car on the bridge making matters worse.
7:30 a.m.
While Tacoma is recovering, the crash in Everett continues to snarl the morning commute. The scene is down to blocking one right lane.
It’s an hour and 20 minutes from Everett to Seattle, or Everett to Bellevue.
It’s 50 minutes between Federal Way to Seattle, but 40 of those minutes are from Southcenter into downtown.
The West Seattle Bridge has traffic backed up to around Delridge Way.
“The good news is that the surface streets are not as backed up as they were yesterday,” Sullivan said.
The floating bridges over Lake Washington into Seattle are showing some slowing. It’s 25 minutes from Bellevue to Seattle on I-90, and about 15 minutes on SR520.
7:10 a.m.
Crews have cleared the scene of a semi-truck crash on I-5 in Tacoma. All northbound and southbound lanes have reopened. The backup from this incident stretched for 3.5 miles and could take time to recover.
Tacoma – All I-5 lanes, NB and SB, have reopened following an earlier semi collision. Thank you drivers for your patience, and thank you first responders for your great work.
— WSDOT Tacoma Traffic (@wsdot_tacoma) January 23, 2019
7 a.m.
Drivers using SR512 through Puyallup to avoid the blockage on I-5 in Tacoma are causing a 10 mile backup there — worse than the 3.5 mile backup on I-5. Sullivan recommends sticking with I-5 as it’s the lesser of the two snarls.
It’s an hour and 20 minutes from Everett to Seattle or Bellevue, largely due to a crash on the freeway near the Everett Mall.
The drive from Federal Way to Seattle is an hour and five minutes, and 40 of those minutes are from Southcenter.
6:45 a.m.
Current Sitch
🔴Heavy traffic- I-5 NB and moderate traffic on I-5 SB
💚Light traffic- SR 99 NB/SB south and north of downtown
💚 Light traffic- Mercer St to & from I-5 ramps
🔔Moderate traffic- West Seattle Bridge EB I-5 to 99 exit
🔔Moderate Traffic- the 1st Ave Bridge NB
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 23, 2019
6:40 a.m.
“We are just getting pummeled,” Sullivan says.
- All lanes of I-5 in Tacoma are still closed causing 5 mile backups in both directions, following a semi-truck crash.
- A collision on Southbound I-5 near the Everett Mall is blocking two right lanes.
- A crash is blocking the HOV lane on northbound I-5 near I-90. Traffic is already crawling from Albro Place on into downtown.
It’s an hour and 10 minutes from Everett to Seattle or Bellevue on I-5.
The drive from Federal Way to Seattle on I-5 is an hour, with 35 minutes of that trip from Southcenter.
The drive from Renton to Bellevue will take more than 30 minutes.
6:33 a.m.
Traffic in general has been way worse this week. #viadoom #Realign99
— JediFarfy (@jedifarfy) January 23, 2019
UPDATE: Train is now clear and all lanes are back open on S Spokane St.
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 23, 2019
6:20 a.m.
The West Seattle Bridge is backed up to SR99. Nearby, a BNSF train is stopped on the tracks blocking surface streets at Spokane Street and East Marginal Way in SoDo.
HEADS UP! If your commute takes you on Lower Spokane St, there’s a blockage along at the railroad crossing between E Marginal and 1st Aves S. #SeattleSqueeze pic.twitter.com/5uiNvjbIdj
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 23, 2019
6:10 a.m.
Everett to Seattle or Bellevue is up to 50 minutes now.
The Federal Way to Seattle drive is 50 minutes on I-5, with 25 of those minutes from Southcenter into downtown.
5:45 a.m.
Viadoom traffic has begun, about an hour earlier than usual which continues last week’s trend. Significant slowing is happening on northbound I-5 into Seattle, starting at Albro Place near Boeing Field.
The West Seattle Bridge is smooth so far, but a train is blocking the street at Spokane Street in SoDo, preventing traffic from moving.
It’s 40 minutes from Everett to Seattle or Bellevue.
The crash on SR512 has been cleared, but the semi-truck crash in Tacoma remains blocking all lanes of I-5. The truck took out the jersey barrier. As with similar incidents in the past, crews can take hours to replace the barrier and clear the scene. A tow truck has arrived to remove the truck. There is diesel fuel on the roadway that crews will have to clean up.
I went as far back at Oct 2018, there were 2 wrecks that month, 1 crash in December 2018 and 2 this month in the same place.
This crash marks the 2nd in less than a week on I-5 at Hwy 16. @RanjiKIRO7 is there and will have a live report at 4:30a on @KIRO7Seattle— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) January 23, 2019
5:30 a.m.
Viadoom hasn’t had a chance to make an impact this morning. Meanwhile, all lanes of I-5 are blocked in Tacoma after a collision involving a semi-truck, just south of the Tacoma Dome.
Northbound traffic has a 3.5 mile backup. Southbound is inching through by using collector-distributor lanes. Some drivers are trying to take SR512 or SR167 through Sumner. But a semi-collision on SR512 is slowing traffic there, causing a 5 mile backup in the eastbound lanes.
“This is going to be a significant slowdown over the morning, so plan accordingly,” Sullivan said.
UPDATE: Northbound AND Southbound traffic is being diverted. A secondary collision occurred northbound as a result of the barrier damage from the first collision. Minor injuries in both collisions. pic.twitter.com/C47Leh5Yqd
— Trooper Johnna Batiste (@wspd1pio) January 23, 2019
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