Drivers should prepare for ice, winter-like driving conditions
The Friday morning commute could be a wintry one for Puget Sound if weather forecasts are accurate and snow showers move into the area.
Washington State Department of Transportation crews will be on the road ahead of the storm pre-treating areas where ice is likely to form first, such as bridges and ramps, and monitoring changing conditions.
WSDOT has snow plows stationed throughout Western Washington and on Stevens and Snoqualmie passes.
Crews in Western Washington have access to more than 195,000 gallons of liquid deicer and a stockpile of nearly 27,000 tons of sand and road salt. Additional snow-fighting equipment, sand, road salt and liquid deicer are stationed on the mountain passes.
“We’re ready for it and we’ll be out on the road ready to plow where needed,” said Dave McCormick, WSDOT assistant regional administrator. “Ice on windshields and the first snow of the season in the lowlands signal that wintry conditions are here, and drivers should prepare for the possibility of heavier snow around the corner.”
WSDOT recommends drivers prepare for winter-like driving conditions:
- Staying informed about weather and road conditions and making good decisions.
- Plan ahead and allowing extra time to reach destinations. Drivers should expect lengthy delays if snow and ice mix with the commute.
- Use WSDOT’s mobile apps to stay informed about changing road conditions. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/products/
- Follow Puget Sound area traffic conditions on Twitter with @WSDOT_traffic.
- Check the Seattle traffic map and cameras, listen to the Highway Advisory Radio or dialing 511. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/
- Know how to install tire chains. This WSDOT video takes drivers through the process step-by-step. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/11/17_PrepareForFridayIcyCommute.htm
- See more tips at Take Winter by Storm. http://takewinterbystorm.org/
Ballard Bridge Lane Closure begins Monday
The contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation on the Ballard Bridge painting project plans to close one northbound lane on the Ballard Bridge starting Monday, November 21. The lane will be closed only on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for approximately six weeks to allow the contractor to clean and paint the east side of the bridge. SDOT has arranged with the contractor to make all lanes of the bridge available for traffic during the afternoon peak traffic period.
The sidewalk on the east side of the Ballard Bridge was closed starting Monday, November 14 for the painting project, and will be reopened on weekday evenings and weekends as much as possible—there will be times when this is not possible. The east sidewalk closures are also expected to last up to six weeks.
When the sidewalk on the east side of the bridge is closed, pedestrians may use the sidewalk on the west side of the bridge. Northbound bicyclists are detoured to the Fremont Bridge or the Ballard Locks because the bridge sidewalks are not wide enough for two-way bicycle traffic. Southbound bicyclists may continue to use the sidewalk on the west side of the bridge.
At some point during the project there will be full bridge closures on weekends. These closures will be limited to 3 to 6 a.m. Saturdays and 12:00 midnight to 6 a.m. Sundays. Metro transit service will not be provided during these hours. There will be a maximum of four such weekend closures. They are not yet scheduled.
For more information or to sign up for the project updates, visit the project website at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bridgepainting_current.htm.
Protest March Planned to Block the University Bridge
An Occupy Seattle rally and march today has the potential for creating major delays on all arterials leading to and from Ship Canal bridges during the afternoon commute.
The rally is scheduled to take place between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. on the University of Washington campus and then is expected to march west on NE Pacific Street to the University Bridge at roughly 4:30 p.m. The demonstrators plan to block the bridge during the afternoon rush hour so their presence will likely cause traffic delays throughout the afternoon commute – until after 6:30 or 7 p.m. Demonstrators may also block the Montlake Bridge during that timeframe.
Seattle Police Officers will be on hand to minimize traffic congestion but the blockage of any one bridge could impact other nearby Ship Canal bridges. Commuters should allow additional time for detouring to another route. Motorists who must get to the University or Children’s hospitals should plan for extra time to reach their destination.
The protests could be very disruptive to transit service this afternoon. For information or questions about transit service, please call Metro Transit customer service at 206-553-3000, and sign up to receive Transit Alerts at http://www.kingcounty.gov/metro/alerts.
