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Seattle’s surface streets snarl in Friday afternoon commute amid viaduct closure

May 6, 2016, 5:46 AM | Updated: 6:12 pm

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BY MYNORTHWEST STAFF


MyNorthwest.com

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:


4:35 p.m. UPDATE: Common problem throughout the closure on downtown surface streets is cars lingering in intersections and blocking cross traffic.

4:20 p.m. UPDATE:


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:

9 a.m. UPDATE: Travel times are less than they have been the last few days. Everett to Seattle only 36 minutes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

7 a.m. UPDATE: A number of crashes on main routes are making the Friday commute anything but light.

6:50 a.m. UPDATE: Six-mile backup on NB 167 due to pickup stuck on barrier.

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.

6:35 a.m. UPDATE: NB I-5 from Boeing Field into Seattle is in the red.

6:25 a.m. UPDATE: The state DOT suggests drivers stick with the roads they have been using this week.

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.

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.

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.

5:45 a.m. UPDATE: With traffic already heavier than usual due to the viaduct closure, I-405 backups are “not pretty.”

5:30 a.m. UPDATE: Backup on northbound I-405 growing due to crash before Park.

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