Life In The Pacific Northwest
Here are some shots from Easter weekend, where we drove up to Bellingham. Now, I love Bellingham, but the traffic through Everett, Arlington and Mt. Vernon was ludicrous. It took over two hours to get up there and neatly three to get home. Normal conditions would make it about 70 minutes. Our region’s growth is making for California-esque traffic, of which I’m not a fan. It is a part of life around here anymore, I’m afraid.
I drive from Lynnwood to Marysville on I5 each morning. This accident had me gawking. I hope everyone was ok. It looks truly horrible.
UPDATE: looks like no one was killed. Thank goodness! Shout out to twitter friend NoSpandexRequired for forwarding the update below to me.
Thankfully there aren’t any life-threatening injuries with this 3-car vs semi collision. This is SB I5 at Pacific in Everett. The right two lanes of SB I5 and the on-ramp from Pacific are fully blocked. pic.twitter.com/VLTOFaWmWQ
— Trooper Rocky Oliphant (@wspd7pio) April 12, 2019
A couple photos of the scene. pic.twitter.com/E5WaGfxRUE
— MyEverettNews.com (@MyEverettNews) April 12, 2019
Here’s video from @RobKIRO7 and @DamienKIRO7 in Everett from the rolled lumber truck. Crews are moving the lumber from I5 to Pacific on-ramp . 2-3 hours before the reopening of the ramp pic.twitter.com/eXA3pOkbXQ
— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) April 12, 2019
Gonna be some time before southbound I-5 and the Trestle recover from this crash at Pacific and I-5 in #Everett. More photos on website. https://t.co/ZHGVjKs2g5 pic.twitter.com/2rV8M8RirC
— MyEverettNews.com (@MyEverettNews) April 12, 2019
#Everett update: While we're clearing the road of debris from the collision on SB I-5 at Pacific Ave, traffic backups through Everett are approx. 3-4 miles. Continue to expect delays as we work to get this lumber cleared. pic.twitter.com/oJyulDNa72
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) April 12, 2019
Roll-over semi blocking 2 lanes of S/B I-5 at Pacific Ave – and ramp is closed. We are assisting @wspd7pio & @EverettFire. It’s going to be a tough commute & our surface streets will back-up too… Be patient! pic.twitter.com/0T1OuLp0Z9
— Everett Police (@EverettPolice) April 12, 2019
It’s been a rough couple of days around the greater Seattle area. Yesterday, I opted to work from home. Yes, I’m a classic Seattle weather-wimp.
When I look to make that decision, I opt for a few tools.
I try to keep the process simple, so I pretty much limit myself to the above, and not running down the rabbit hole that this can be. However, I expect I might be missing something. Let me know if you have a resource that I should recommend.
I heard this joke on the radio today. Sadly, i can’t remember the radio station, much less the DJ who aid of.
“What’s the recipe for bad traffic in Seattle? It’s easy. Just add water.”
I don’t know what our is about Seattle, but rain send to bring out the worst in folks. Whether exacerbating already foolish behaviors like high speed tailgating, or a general inattention, simply adding rain, the most common weather phenomena brings chaos. I
Have you noticed that? What do you think is the cause?
An update from the good folks at the WSDOT.
116th Street Northeast overpass also closed for testing
Both directions of I-5 at 116th Street Northeast will close at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. Contractor crews working for the Tulalip Tribes’ interchange project need the closure to safely test the water and sewer lines on the underside of the 116th Street overpass. That overpass will also be closed during the overnight testing. Crews will begin reopening the highway at 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11
Here is the complete breakdown of the lane reductions and closures:
Southbound I-5 closure details
Northbound I-5 closure details
116th Street Northeast closure details
Detour routes
Traffic on I-5 will reduce to one lane in each direction, then drivers will follow detour signs taking them over the 116th Street Northeast off- and on-ramps. When 116th Street Northeast is closed, traffic will detour on local streets to either 88th Street Northeast or State Route 531.
116th Street Northeast Interchange Project
Improving the I-5/116th Street Northeast interchange is part of the Tulalip Tribes project to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow in this area. For more information about this project, go to the Tulalip Tribes’ project page.
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From the good folks at the Washington Department of Transportation.
TLDR:
Southbound SR 529 to close at Snohomish River Bridge Tuesday morning, Nov. 6
EVERETT – Travelers headed south on State Route 529 in Marysville will need to plan for added travel time Tuesday morning, Nov. 6, while Everett and Marysville police scan the scene of a recent collision on the Snohomish River Bridge.
People driving southbound on SR 529 will need to follow a short detour onto southbound I-5, and travelers headed south on I-5 will be unable to access the off-ramp to SR 529.
Closure Details
Drivers can get real-time information on their phone with the WSDOT traffic app, following the WSDOT traffic Twitter feed and by checking the Snohomish County construction webpage.
People who use eastbound US 2 between Everett and Lake Stevens should plan for travel delays as the peak-use shoulder lane will remain closed through Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 6.
The lane closure is in place so our crews can use a large crane to remove logs and storm debris in the Ebey Slough. When water is running high and fast in the slough, debris can pile up against the bridge’s support columns, increasing pressure on the structure and adding to the potential for upstream flooding.
The peak-use shoulder lane is open to eastbound traffic weekdays from 2-7 p.m.
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Lately I’ve been considering growth. Seattle’s been growing in a huge number of ways: jobs, cost of living, rents, population. This growth changes things: traffic, greater economic fragility, more economic stress on nearly everyone. I
I read an article yesterday saying that San Francisco’s poverty line income was a bit above $114k. Seattle is getting close.
With this growth and pressure on finances, I see this region’s density increasing. I expect the single family home will slowly vanish as land costs continue to climb. Eventually, multi-family will be the only way to earn enough return on land investment for builders.
I expect well see lots of Seattle neighborhoods becoming predominantly multi-family, actually a region of apartments condos stretching from the center out to the burbs.
I do wonder if there’s an equilibrium. Will we get to a point where things will stabilize?
What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
This release came into my inbox this afternoon. Holy Smokes! This will be messy!
Short and simple summary: avoid I-5 south of Seattle this weekend. With that, whatever the detour route will be, everything around that route will be torturous.
May the Force be with you if you need to head into this.
Washington State Department of Transportation – NEWS
Northwest Region – 15700 Dayton Avenue – Shoreline, WA 98133 – 206-440-4000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2018
Contact: Tom Pearce, communications, 206-440-4696
Revive I-5 returns: Northbound I-5 closed all weekend in Seattle, July 14-15
Lane reductions begin near Southcenter, all traffic must exit at the West Seattle Bridge
SEATTLE – The second of two full weekend closures of northbound Interstate 5 at the West Seattle Bridge is quickly approaching, which means people to need to plan ahead and avoid the highway again this weekend, July 14-15.
Washington State Department of Transportation contractor crews will begin closing lanes on northbound I-5 at 8 p.m. Friday, July 13. This weather-dependent closure will give them room to safely replace expansion joints and repave the roadway as part of the Revive I-5 project. The work will wrap up by 5 a.m. Monday, July 16
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During the first full weekend closure, June 2-3, backups on northbound I-5 were minimal because drivers avoided the highway and used alternatives to get into Seattle.
“What traffic looks like this coming weekend is up to travelers,” said WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator Amir Rasaie. “We need people to adjust their travel plans again this weekend so we can minimize backups and keep traffic moving around the Seattle area.”
Lane closure details
Crews will begin reducing northbound I-5 traffic to two lanes at the I-405/SR 518 interchange near Southcenter in order to replace half of an expansion joint on the Duwamish River Bridge. Expect lane reductions to continue all the way up to the West Seattle Bridge/Columbian Way/Spokane Street ramp, where all traffic must exit.
West Seattle and Beacon Hill
Those coming from West Seattle or Beacon Hill will be able to enter northbound I-5 from the West Seattle Bridge/Columbian Way/Spokane Street on-ramp to head into downtown Seattle. This traffic will shift onto the northbound I-5 collector distributor, where drivers can exit to I-90, James or Madison streets, or continue through to rejoin the northbound I-5 mainline. All lanes will reopen near Olive Way.
Ramp closure details
7 p.m. Friday, July 13 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 16:
9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday:
10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday:
10:30 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday:
11:59 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday:
All northbound I-5 off-ramps between the I-405/SR 518 interchange and the West Seattle Bridge will remain open all weekend.
Southbound I-5 work Sunday morning
In addition to the northbound Revive I-5 work, WSDOT maintenance crews will reduce southbound I-5 traffic to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge between the University District and SR 520 from 2 a.m. to noon on Sunday, July 15, to repair parts of the aging bridge deck. The Northeast 45th Street on-ramp to southbound I-5 will also close during this time.
Closures will affect the entire region
The full closure of northbound I-5 means there will be heavy traffic on all highways and roads around the region. Travelers should expect long backups on northbound I-405, State Routes 99, 509 and 599, as well as on city streets. To limit congestion, people should:
Know before you go
Before heading out the door, travelers can get real-time traffic information about Revive I-5 on their phone with the WSDOT traffic app and by tracking #ReviveI5 on the WSDOT Traffic Twitter feed.
Hyperlinks within the release:
Hey Whidbey Island ferry travelers,
Catching the ferry to Whidbey this weekend? Please give yourself extra travel time. On SR 525 between Mutiny Bay and Bakken Road (mileposts 22 to 25) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. road crews will be working on this 30 mile summer paving project.
Fellow cyclists, cycling the Island this weekend? Well, consider alternate routes. Those crews will be road grinding Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and there will be uneven surfaces along SR 525 between Mutiny Bay Road and SR 20.
Don’t forget you can reserve a ferry sailing spot on many runs (though not the Mukilteo : Whidbey run).
A few days ago, while driving down Everett’s Broadway, I saw a car on the side with a large dent. With it, a motorcycle, parts scattered, and, fortunately, the driver standing beside.
So, my friends, please be cautious, check blind spots and all that. Motorcycles are out, and forget how to share the roads during winter’s dank darkness.