Seattle’s surface streets snarl in Friday afternoon commute amid viaduct closure
May 6, 2016, 5:46 AM | Updated: 6:12 pm
It’s a beautiful Friday afternoon to be stuck in traffic amid the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure, which is diverting 90,000 drivers onto area roads 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.
5:45 p.m. UPDATE: Southbound I-5 is backed up from Northgate into downtown Seattle. Northbound I-5 into downtown is backed up to Georgetown.
5:25 p.m. UPDATE: Eastbound I-90 is now completely congested across the Lake Washington floating bridge.
5:15 p.m. UPDATE: Northbound SR 522 from Lake City Way into Bothell is backed up over the north end of Lake Washington.
5 p.m. UPDATE: A collision is blocking two right lanes on southbound I-5 near NE 145th Street.
4:45 p.m. UPDATE:
#TravelTimes
Bell to Everett: 78min
Bell to Renton: 36min
Lynn to SEA: 68min
SEA to Lynn: 39min
SEA to Bell: 17min
SEA to FedWy: 27min— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 6, 2016
4:35 p.m. UPDATE: Common problem throughout the closure on downtown surface streets is cars lingering in intersections and blocking cross traffic.
Every intersection I've crossed downtown has been like this. #BlockingTheBox pic.twitter.com/FVOuXfc3nz
— Jillian Raftery (@JillianRaftery) May 6, 2016
4:20 p.m. UPDATE:
Some of the current Travel Times. More here: https://t.co/NIZUtN5grr pic.twitter.com/A762eYA5q5
— seattledot (@seattledot) May 6, 2016
4:15 p.m. UPDATE: Eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge is entirely backed up leading to I-5.
4 p.m. UPDATE: Westbound on the SR 520 floating bridge is backing up all the way across Lake Washington into Seattle.
3:45 p.m. UPDATE: The traffic map is showing a lot of red and congestion on downtown Seattle surface streets. It’s slow going in downtown and SoDo.
3:35 p.m. UPDATE: Eastbound Mercer Street to I-5 is backed up to Queen Anne.
3:25 p.m. UPDATE: Southbound traffic is congested over the Fremont Bridge affecting Nickerson Street and 34th Street.
3:15 p.m. UPDATE: The westbound I-90 floating bridge is congested across Lake Washington and leading into Seattle.
3:05 p.m. UPDATE: Northbound I-5 into downtown Seattle is backed up to Boeing Field.
2:55 p.m. UPDATE: Southbound I-5 into downtown Seattle is backed up to Shoreline.
2:30 p.m. UPDATE: Seattle-area transportation officials are noting that the start of boating season is causing some delays on area roads.
2:15 p.m. UPDATE:
Travel Times:
1st Ave S @ E Martinez Dr S to Gtown: 7 min
4th Ave S @ E Martinez Dr S to Gtown: 8 min
Denny Way @ Stewart to Ballard: 20 min— seattledot (@seattledot) May 6, 2016
9 a.m. UPDATE: Travel times are less than they have been the last few days. Everett to Seattle only 36 minutes.
Travel times:
Everett-Bellevue 53 min
Everett-Seattle 36
SeaTac-Seattle 34
Renton-Bellevue 43
Bellevue-Seattle 20 via 90, 21 via 520— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 6, 2016
8:30 a.m. UPDATE: Traffic on southbound I-5 into Seattle continues to grow. Slowing starts near Green Lake.
8:20 a.m. UPDATE: Reports of crashes continue to roll in. Prepare for delays on surface streets in Seattle.
No visual but hearing reports of a collision on Dexter Ave N near Highland Dr. Expect possible delays in the area
— seattledot (@seattledot) May 6, 2016
8:10 a.m. UPDATE: Puyallup up to Algona still “solid,” KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports. Renton to Bellevue is taking about 10 minutes longer than usual.
8:05 a.m. UPDATE: After a series of crashes in the region, King County Metro continues to experience delays.
Metro’s Friday AM Commute: Transit service delays continue with increased heavy traffic on major roadways, plus… https://t.co/BmMjzFXHNX
— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) May 6, 2016
7:55 a.m. UPDATE: Northbound I-5 heavy around Boeing Field. Westbound I-90 seeing brake lights as well. Southbound I-5 average, slowing near Seattle.
7:40 a.m. UPDATE: Good news for West Seattle drivers.
UPDATE: Collision on eastbound West Seattle Bridge has cleared.
— seattledot (@seattledot) May 6, 2016
7:30 a.m. UPDATE: Seattle DOT suggests drivers find alternate routes from West Seattle. Right lane of West Seattle Bridge remains blocked.
7:25 a.m. UPDATE: King County Metro now reporting service delays due to crash on West Seattle Bridge.
7:15 a.m. UPDATE: A crash in the east bound lanes of the West Seattle Bridge is going to cause backups on an already packed route to I-5.
Come on man! Now a crash EB West Seattle Bridge.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) May 6, 2016
UPDATE:Collision: Eastbound W Seattle Br west of 1st Ave S, right lane blocked. Use caution and expect delays pic.twitter.com/nefQfEYanB
— seattledot (@seattledot) May 6, 2016
7:10 a.m. UPDATE: All traffic was stopped to clear a crash on NB I-5 at Pacific in Tacoma. That will just add to what is now normal delays on the corridor due to the viaduct.
All traffic stopped to clear this crash on NB I-5 at Pacific…should be moving again momentarily through Tacoma. pic.twitter.com/DVfZwUrFy9
— Alexis Smith (@AlexisKIRO7) May 6, 2016
7 a.m. UPDATE: A number of crashes on main routes are making the Friday commute anything but light.
Heavy Traffic on NB SR 167 near SR 512 from mp 8 to mp 11. 5 mile traffic backup is reported.
— WSDOT Tacoma Traffic (@wsdot_tacoma) May 6, 2016
Collision on NB I-5 near SR 509-SR 7-Pacific Ave at mp 133. The two left lanes are blocked.
— WSDOT Tacoma Traffic (@wsdot_tacoma) May 6, 2016
6:50 a.m. UPDATE: Six-mile backup on NB 167 due to pickup stuck on barrier.
6 mile backup now 167nb from Puyalluo to Algona where driver put his pickup on top of the jersey barrier.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) May 6, 2016
6:45 a.m. UPDATE: The pickup on the NB 167 barrier is causing 20 minute delays, KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports.
6:40 a.m. UPDATE: A pickup has driven up on a barrier on NB 167 south of 15th Street SW. It is blocking the right lane.
Oh boy- pickup on barrier NB 167 south of 15th St SW, right lane blocked. pic.twitter.com/PFXhbYD0UL
— Alexis Smith (@AlexisKIRO7) May 6, 2016
6:35 a.m. UPDATE: NB I-5 from Boeing Field into Seattle is in the red.
NB I-5 is filling in near Boeing Field as our morning commute builds. Stick to what you’ve been doing during #99closure.
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 6, 2016
6:25 a.m. UPDATE: The state DOT suggests drivers stick with the roads they have been using this week.
NB I-5 is filling in near Boeing Field as our morning commute builds. Stick to what you’ve been doing during #99closure.
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 6, 2016
6:15 a.m. UPDATE: Crash at Park Drive near Renton still blocking HOV lane. KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports there was a minor fuel spill.
Don’t head to 405 to avoid I5 #99closures. 405 is dealing with crash at Park Dr. HOV lane blocked.
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) May 6, 2016
6:10 a.m. UPDATE: Despite the crash, traffic is relatively light on most major routes, KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan reports. Volumes are building on I-5.
6:05 a.m. UPDATE: Crews made quick work of the crash. Backups remain.
Fire crews gone, a little bump from IRT and we’re down to HOV only blocked on NB405 after Sunset Blvd. 3 mile backup pic.twitter.com/GyLJuiT3M6
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 6, 2016
5:55 a.m. UPDATE: Those commuting from South King County are being told to consider delaying their trip due to crash on NB I-405.
If you commute from South King County toward Bellevue – consider delaying your trip today. Crash on NB 405 + #99closure = jammed before 6am
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 6, 2016
5:45 a.m. UPDATE: With traffic already heavier than usual due to the viaduct closure, I-405 backups are “not pretty.”
Traffic merging from the Sunset onramp on the right & from HOV & left GP on left to get by NB405 crash. Not pretty. pic.twitter.com/Nk5nhTG4kk
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 6, 2016
5:30 a.m. UPDATE: Backup on northbound I-405 growing due to crash before Park.
Crash on NB 405 before Park that’s blocking the left lane and HOV right now. Backup already growing. pic.twitter.com/vTS5a9m2SX
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 6, 2016
