Seattle commutes continue to be relatively smooth despite viaduct absence
Jan 29, 2019, 6:07 AM | Updated: 6:55 pm
Northbound I-5 at I-90 during the afternoon commute amid Viadoom, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. (Matt Pitman, KIRO Radio)
(Matt Pitman, KIRO Radio)
It’s safe to say on Tuesday of the final week of Viadoom that Seattle commuters are on the home stretch.
What was expected to be a traffic nightmare for three weeks while the Alaskan Way Viaduct was closed, turned out to be more of a day dream filled with relatively smooth commutes. Tuesday was no different. Aside from some collisions that slowed traffic down, the commute was similar to the rest of the Seattle Squeeze — about an hour from Everett or Federal Way into Seattle via I-5.
Dry weather continued into the afternoon and evening commute, making for a relatively quiet journey home for most drivers.
MyNorthwest continues its coverage of Viadoom. The following are updates from the Tuesday’s commute, including reports from KIRO Radio Traffic Reporters Chris Sullivan and Tracy Taylor.
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6:55 p.m.
Another Viadoom commute ends smoothly! We’re just days away from the opening of the SR 99 tunnel, so keep up the good work!
There's light at the end of the (SR 99) tunnel, which is on schedule to open early next week. Here's what you need to know: https://t.co/nhoYCr3W1g pic.twitter.com/KtJMADt7XK
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 30, 2019
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6:30 p.m.
Heads-up #Burlington drivers, traffic signals are out on SR 20 in the vicinity of I-5.
Dark signals on SR 20 include intersections at East Rio Vista, Avon Allen Road and Fairhaven Ave. Utility crews are aware of the issue. Use caution! pic.twitter.com/UJER8ggUQM— WSDOT North Traffic (@wsdot_north) January 30, 2019
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6:00 p.m.
A transit alert for anyone who rides the 50 in Seattle:
Transit Alert Update – Rt 50 is rerouted off NB SODO btwn S Lander St & S Holgate. Use the stop SB on 1st Av S south of S Lander St.
— King County Metro🚏🚎⛴ (@kcmetrobus) January 30, 2019
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5:45 p.m.
Here's a look at westbound traffic on the SR 520 bridge. You'll face a similar backup if you head south on I-405 through Bellevue. #Bellevue to #Seattle via SR 520: 43 minutes#Bellevue to #Seattle via I-90: 32 minutes pic.twitter.com/DV422CQQo4
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 30, 2019
UPDATE: Collision in the intersection of S Lander St at 5th Pl S is blocking EB and WB lanes. Use caution and seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/idDTYaRSkA
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 30, 2019
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5:25 p.m.
Sounder south line #1515 (4:15 p.m. Seattle departure) delayed approximately 10 minutes at Auburn Station due to freight interference.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 30, 2019
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5:15 p.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (5 PM):
đź”´Heavy NB/SB on I-5 into downtown
đź”´Heavy EB on West Seattle Bridge
đź”´Heavy on city bridges
đź”´Heavy EB Mercer St btwn I-5 & Dexter
đź”´Heavy SB on 1st Ave S in SODO
đź”´Heavy on major roads in downtown
âś…Light SB on 4th Ave S in SODO— seattledot (@seattledot) January 30, 2019
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4:30 p.m.
We're heading into a sunny evening commute! It's the perfect evening to try an alternate commute like biking or walking for part of your trip. Or, maybe you'll stay and play for a little while longer downtown. How are you switching it up during the #SeattleSqueeze? pic.twitter.com/9GhMah8a7K
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 29, 2019
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4:15 p.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (4 PM):
đź”´Heavy NB/SB on I-5 into downtown
đź”´Heavy EB on West Seattle Bridge
đź”´Heavy EB Mercer St btwn I-5 & Dexter
đź”´Heavy SB on 1st Ave S in SODO
🔶Moderate on major roads in downtown
âś…Light SB on 4th Ave S in SODO— seattledot (@seattledot) January 29, 2019
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4:05 p.m.
#Seattle: A disabled vehicle is blocking the left lane of southbound I-5 at Mercer Street and will add some time to an already slow commute through Seattle. WSP is at the scene. pic.twitter.com/VA2TVueGLX
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 30, 2019
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3:40 p.m.
The evening commute is starting with some increased travel times.
Travel times are UP as we kick off another #Realign99 afternoon commute. It's important we reduce those single-commuter trips by changing commute methods ➡️https://t.co/3whgMWtmri
These alternatives include but are not limited to: pic.twitter.com/IFhNGKut9q— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 29, 2019
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3:30 p.m.
A temporary signal has been installed and is operational at the intersection of SR 169 &149th Avenue SE just in time for the afternoon commute. Transportation maintenance staff will need to install and relocate the damaged cabinet in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/jGDwHjRv2p
— City of Renton (@CityofRenton) January 29, 2019
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3:00 p.m.
Press conf this morning on the tunnel and what to expect going into the #stepforward99 celebration this weekend.
@SDOTtraffic says the commutes from the past 2 weeks went as expected. Couple things popped up that set crews back a day but quickly being fixed (cont)— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 29, 2019
(cont) WSDOT saying they are confident but not set in stone that the new HWY 99 tunnel will open on the 4th. @tracyttraffic and @NEWSGUYSULLY are following this & will have the latest this pm with @CandyMikeTodd and tomorrow morning with Seattle's Morning News #SeattleSqueeze
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 29, 2019
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10 a.m.
“West Seattle is just getting hammered today,” Sullivan said. “You’re just not moving from 35th, around the corner and over to I-5.”
“I-5 northbound is slammed because of the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure,” he said. “It’s 45 minutes to drive from Southcenter into Seattle.”
9:31 a.m.
Transit Alert – The elevator at the EB SR-520 Clyde Hill/Yarrow Pt Frwy Stn is out of service; WB stop elevator is operational.
— King County Metro🚏🚎⛴ (@kcmetrobus) January 29, 2019
Accident, right lane blocked in #Seattle on I-5 Express Ln SB at Mercer St, stop and go traffic back to WA-520 #traffic https://t.co/12UyGMOG9h
— Total Traffic SEA (@TotalTrafficSEA) January 29, 2019
9 a.m.
No matter where you are traveling to or from this morning, expect additional delays. This is a great reminder to use those alternative modes of travel 🚲🚌🛴🚶‍♀️& check #TravelTimes before you go: https://t.co/Fh3UVnL4sY pic.twitter.com/ABa6Lgttpr
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 29, 2019
Metro’s Tuesday AM Commute: As the morning commute winds down, earlier delays are beginning to subside; visit Metro’s Get Ready page https://t.co/8qNc4a1j08
— King County Metro🚏🚎⛴ (@kcmetrobus) January 29, 2019
8:40 a.m.
It’s an hour and 15 minutes between Everett and Bellevue, and it’s an hour from Everett to Seattle.
Northbound I-5 is a solid grind from Boeing Field into downtown Seattle. The drive from Southcenter into downtown is 50 minutes.
The West Seattle Bridge is a crawl with backups to Delridge Way. There may be a car fire on the exit to Columbian Way, Sullivan reports.
A six mile backup remains after an incident on southbound I-5 was cleared in the Marysville area. That is snarling traffic between Arlington and Everett.
On the I-5 northbound off-ramp to S Columbian Way there is an incident blocking the ramp.
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 29, 2019
#Marysville CRASH UPDATE: Don’t forget! All lanes of SB I-5 @ SR 528 are temporarily closed for a @wastatepatrol collision investigation. Backups are already 4-miles and growing quickly. Delay your trip if possible or expect long delays. pic.twitter.com/l5QNhCLGtI
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 29, 2019
8:25 a.m.
#Marysville crash UPDATE: All lanes of SB I-5 @ SR 528 are temporarily closed for the @wastatepatrol investigation. Expect delays! pic.twitter.com/bnJgQdcmg6
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 29, 2019
8 a.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (8 AM):
đź”´Heavy NB/SB I-5 into Downtown
đź”´Heavy EB W Seattle Bridge
đź”´Heavy SB SR 99 into Downtown
đź”´Heavy on Mercer St
đź”´Heavy NB 1st Ave S in SODO
đź”´Heavy NB 1st Ave Bridge
đź”´Heavy SB SR 99 into Downtown
🔶Moderate NB 4th Ave S in SODO— seattledot (@seattledot) January 29, 2019
Sounder south line trains #1514 (7:20 a.m. Tacoma departure)is delayed approx 10 minutes en route to Seattle due to a crossing guard issue near Puyallup
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 29, 2019
7:35 a.m.
A collision near Sammamish is slowing things down on I-90.
Make it 4 miles now. #Sammamish and #Issaquah, leave yourself extra time to get to your destination!
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 29, 2019
7:30 a.m.
We’ve had a few recent incidents pop up…take a 👀⬇️to see what your #SeattleSqueeze drive looks like, and consider using @kcmetrobus, teleworking, biking or delaying your trip. https://t.co/eWTBqUwBHl
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 29, 2019
Well shucks, the drives in from the north end and eastside are slow going thanks to a few recent collisions. Full list of travel times here ➡️https://t.co/Bt704aAWEs
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 29, 2019
7:15 a.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (7 AM):
đź”´Heavy NB I-5 into Downtown
đź”´Heavy EB W Seattle Bridge
đź”´Heavy NB 1st Ave S in SODO
🔶Moderate SB I-5 into Downtown
🔶Moderate Mercer
🔶Moderate NB 4th Ave S in SODO
🔶Moderate NB 1st Ave Bridge
✅Light SR 99 north of Downtown— seattledot (@seattledot) January 29, 2019
6:55 a.m.
And that’s $10 in the ETL.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 29, 2019
6:45 a.m.
A stall blocking southbound I-5 at the ship canal bridge has been cleared, but a four-mile backup remains. The southbound I-5 drive from Everett to Seattle is an hour and 10 minutes, with 53 of those minutes crawling from Lynnwood.
Sullivan notes that southbound SR99 through North Seattle is a viable option around slow I-5.
It’s an hour to drive north from Federal Way to Seattle, with 40 of those minutes from Southcenter. That’s 15 minutes slower than before the absence of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
The West Seattle Bridge has now gotten to its usual morning crawl, backing up to Delridge Way.
6:35 a.m.
🚨🚗Heads up: SB I-5 on the Ship Canal Bridge a collision is blocking the left lane pic.twitter.com/QjGtjK0eXz
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 29, 2019
6:30 a.m.
Current Traffic Conditions (6 AM):
đź”´Heavy NB on I-5 into Downtown
🔶Moderate SB on I-5 into Downtown
🔶Moderate EB on W Seattle Bridge
🔶Moderate NB on 1st/4th Ave S in SODO
🔶Moderate NB/SB SR 99 north of Downtown
🔶Moderate NB on the 1st Ave Bridge
✅Light on Mercer St— seattledot (@seattledot) January 29, 2019
West Seattle Bride slowing back at Delridge now. #wndowclosed
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 29, 2019
6:15 a.m.
The window to use West Seattle Bridge is closing. Slowing starting to form.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 29, 2019
Here’s a look at the traffic flow this morning…delays of ~10 minutes out of Federal Way put your drive near 60 minutes into Bellevue or Seattle. pic.twitter.com/bdBOxn0EtW
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) January 29, 2019
6 a.m.
The commute is filling in. It’s already 50 minutes traveling north from Federal Way to Seattle. The heaviest traffic slowdowns begin at Boeing Field in Seattle.
The southbound I-5 drive from Everett to Seattle is 40 minutes, with some slowing just south of the Everett Mall. Traffic slows down considerably around Lynnwood.
“The West Seattle Bridge is good for now,” Sullivan said. “That door usually closes in about 15 minutes.”
5:30 a.m.
Starting to see the slowing NB 5 from Albro into downtown. West Seattle Bridge is good.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) January 29, 2019
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