Garbage/Recycling provider Waste Management says that there will be NO pickups Friday, Dec. 26th in the Burien area, although they will allow “up to triple volume accepted next regular collection day for each missed curbside container.”

Here are some snippets from their latest update:

Holiday Collection Schedule Friday and Saturday weeks of Dec 25 & Jan 1:

Friday, December 26:
(although there will be no pickup today…), Waste Management’s Customer Service Center will be open from 8 AM – 5 PM:

• Waste Management Customer Service website
• Call 1-800 592-9995

Because of weather delays, we expect phone lines to be extremely busy, resulting in long waits.  The alternatives below will help customers get information quickly:

• Double Triple volume will be accepted on the next regular collection day for each missed residential container. If a container is missed twice, triple volume will apply.
• If you have too much material to fit in your containers, check our Tips for Managing Extra Garbage and Recycling.

You can e-mail Customer Service regarding specific concerns by locating your city or county contact address on the menu provided.

Live webcam view from Sea-Tac Airport.
Refresh page to get latest image.

Sea-Tac Airport is apparently jammed full of people stuck as the result of numerous flight cancellations and delays.

Apparently Alaska and Horizon Airlines resumed limited service Monday after thousands of stranded travelers spent the night at the airport, where hundreds of flights have been canceled since Friday.

If you’ve got travel plans and want to get the latest information, we recommend a two-pronged approach using both your telephone and internet:

1. Call your airline via the number listed below (or on your itinerary/ticket).
2. At the same time, try accessing the Port of Seattle’s travel info website or your specific airline’s website.
   

So basically, you’ll have a phone in your ear while you surf the web, and eventually you’ll either get through or you’ll get your update. Just don’t give up.

Here’s the latest update from the Port of Seattle (access their airport travel info website here):

The airlines continue to face a number of challenges during this weather event.

Many flights been canceled.  Please check your flight before coming to Sea-Tac Airport.

See contact information below:

• Aeromexico 800 237-6639
• Air Canada (including Air Canada regional airlines) 800 247-2262
• Air France 800 237-2747
• AirTran Airways 800-247-8726
• Alaska Airlines 800 426-0333
• American Airlines 800 433-7300
• Asiana Airlines 800 227-4262
• British Airways 800 247-9297
• Continental Airlines 800 525-0280
• Delta Air Lines 800 221-1212
• EVA Air 800 695-1188
• Frontier Airlines 800 432-1359
• Hainan Airlines 888 688-8813
• Hawaiian Airlines 800 367-5320
• Horizon Air 800 547-9308
• JetBlue Airways 1-800-JETBLUE
• Korean Air 800-438-5000, (206) 241-1576
• Lufthansa Airlines 800 399-LUFT
• Midwest Airlines 800 452-2022
• Northwest Airlines 800 225-2525
• Scandinavian Airlines 800 221-2350
• Southwest Airlines 800 435-9792
• Sun Country Airlines 800 359-6786
• United Airlines (including United Express) 800 241-6522
• US Airways 800 428-4322
• Virgin America 877 359-8474

Live webcam view from Sea-Tac Airport
(refresh page to see latest image).

Cancellations and delays continue at Sea-Tac Airport, and here’s the latest bulletin from the Port of Seattle:

Airport is open – two runways are operational.

There are many airline-initiated cancellations.

Backlog of stranded passengers awaiting rebooking.

No local hotel rooms available, many passengers sleeping in airport.

Travelers are advised to contact their airline for flight status and to attempt to rebook from home.

Airport concessions are having trouble getting deliveries, anyone coming to the airport should come prepared.

If you’re planning on flying out anytime soon, be sure to check your flight status at the airport’s Web site: http://hosting.portseattle.org/fids.

To see live road conditions via webcam feeds, go to our Webcams page.

Looks like most schools are starting two hours late today (Tuesday, Dec. 16th), and here are the details:

Highline School District:
2 Hours Late. Limited Bus Transportation. No A. M. Kindergarten. No ECEAP/Preschool. No Out-of-District Transportation. No After-School Activity Transportation.

John F. Kennedy HS:
2 Hrs. Late.

Westside School:
9:30 A.M. Start. No AM extended care.

Seattle Public Schools:
2 Hours Late. Buses Operate on Snow Routes. No Door-to-Door Service. No Half-Day Kindergarten. No A. M. or P. M. Preschool. No A. M. or P. M. Head Start. No Activity Runs.

St. Francis of Assisi:
2 Hrs. Late. No AM Extended School Care

Hamlin Robinson School:
2 Hours Late Bus 2 Hours Late Check with school for after school activities

Also, the National Weather Service is still calling for a “Winter Storm Watch” starting late Tuesday night and extending through late Wed. night, with a prediction of up to 6 inches of snow.

Here’s their bulletin as of as of 3:51am Tuesday 12/16/08:

…Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for all of western Washington from late tonight through late Wednesday night…

Heavy snow is likely over western Washington on Wednesday. Three to six inches are possible in certain areas… including the east Puget Sound lowlands… parts of the northwest and southwest interiors mainly near the Cascades… and the inland parts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca area. Snow in these areas will begin in the north late Tuesday night and spread south Wednesday morning. By Wednesday night three to six inches of new snow are possible.

Other areas… including the Seattle metropolitan area and the Kitsap peninsula… could get less snow. Here models show one or two inches are possible. On the coast it is possible that conditions will be warm enough for rain part of the time… or mixed rain and snow. However it is not certain that sub-warning amounts will fall in these areas and the Winter Storm Watch extends to them as well.

The Cascades and Olympics will also receive heavy snow… with one or two feet of new snow likely from Wednesday through Wednesday night.

Snow levels will be at sea level through much of the event so virtually all of the precipitation will be in the form of snow.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…Monitor weather forecasts. If you have to travel… today is likely to be a much better day than Wednesday. Make sure your vehicle carries traction devices and extra blankets.

According to their website, all Highline Public Schools will be starting 2 hours late Monday Dec. 15th:

• 2 Hours Late.
• No A.M. or P.M. ECEAP.
• No A.M. or P.M. Preschool.
• No A.M. Kindergarten.
• No Out-of-District Transport.
• Limited Bus Service.
• Active Dates: 12/15/08 04:49 AM to 12/15/08 04:00 PM
• Last Modified: 12/15/08 04:56 AM

John F. Kennedy High is also running late, with Secondary School starting 2 hours late and High School starting at 10:30am.

Westside School follows Seattle Public Schools, which means it too will open 2 hours late.

Shorewood Christian School will be closed.

St. Francis of Assisi School will start 2 hours late.

Highline Community College appears to be running on a normal schedule.

Seattle Public Schools is running 2 hours late:

• 2 Hours Late.
• Buses Operate on Snow Routes.
• No A.M. or P.M. Kindergarten.
• No A.M. or P.M. Head Start.
• No Door-to-Door Service.
• Active Dates: 12/15/08 04:32 AM to 12/15/08 04:00 PM
• Last Modified: 12/15/08 04:37 AM

Best bet for updates is at SchoolReport.org, which gets info directly from school districts.

OTHER SCHOOL CLOSURE SOURCES:

• Highline School District
• KING-TV
• KOMO News
• KIRO-TV

If you know of other school info, please email us.

It’s likely that most school closures or delays won’t be announced until Monday morning; however, we do know of some:

CLOSED MON. DEC. 15th:

• Shorewood Christian School

STARTING 2 HOURS LATE (10:30am):

• St. Francis of Assisi School
• John F. Kennedy High School
  

Best bet though is to access SchoolReport.org, which gets info directly from school districts.

OTHER SCHOOL CLOSURE SOURCES:

• Highline School District
• KING-TV
• KOMO News
• KIRO-TV

Also, don’t forget to listen to an AM news station, as they’re usually on top of these things.

We’ll be re-checking and re-posting as we get info, so re-load this page or check back in the morning.

According to the Port of Seattle website, a road construction project, needed to bring Link light rail to Sea-Tac Airport in 2009, will cause significant detours and closures beginning Wed. morning, Sept. 24th and continuing through 7am Thurs. Sept. 25.

So…if you’re planning on going to SeaTac Airport between then, expect traffic delays, detours, lots of signs and of course, potential road rage.

All of the following will be affected:

• Lower Airport Drive (Baggage Claim/Arrivals level). Access to the Lower Drive will be reduced to one rerouted lane. The detour route will be clearly marked.
• North Entrance to the Airport Parking Garage. The north entrance to the garage will be closed and parkers rerouted to the south garage entrance. Drivers coming to Sea-Tac from the north will be detoured from SR 518 to south I-99 and the south garage entrance. Traffic leaving the garage will not be affected and will exit to the north as always at S. 182 Street.
• Cell Phone Lot. Traffic heading from the Cell Phone Waiting Lot to the terminal will follow a detour route at S. 182 Street.
• Public Transportation. All public transportation buses (Metro Transit, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit) will both pick up and drop off passengers on I- 99. Public transit buses will not have access to the Lower Drive during this period.

The exit and entrance to the Rental Car area will not be affected by these changes. It is expected that all traffic at the Airport, even on unchanged routes, will be slowed by these detours and closures. Please allow extra time, drive slowly and cautiously, and pay close attention to highway message signage.

As it is with most construction projects, weather may play a factor, so if it rains, there’s a chance the work will be delayed.

After a three-day “rain delay,” the City of Burien has announced that the major re-paving of First Avenue South will begin tonight starting at 7pm.

The construction apparently will start at 148th SW and will move southward on First Ave South towards 160th; however, there are conflicting notes (read release below) that it will start at the south end, so we recommend just avoiding the entire area at all costs.

Here’s the release from the city:

The final paving phase has begun, starting with a pre-level of the roadway at the north end of the project.

There are areas where manhole and vault covers are above grade due to preparation for the final overlay – please use extreme caution and drive slowly.

Final paving will occur over the next two to three weeks, weather dependent, and will be done in segments and will occur at night between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Expect rolling closures of 1st Avenue South starting at the SOUTH end of the project moving north.

Paving will start on the east side of the roadway and move to the west side.

Use extreme caution as lane markings will follow after the pavement.

Please pay close attention to signage and detour directions during this time period.

If you have further questions, please contact Bruce McPherson, Resident Engineer, at 425/531‑0728 during business hours. 

Again, drive slowly and carefully during this phase of the project for your safety and that of the workers. Thank you.

Map of the mess (click on the placeholder icons for more info):

View Larger Map

The City of Burien announced today that the previously-scheduled paving work that was to begin this morning at First Ave South and SW 160th has been postponed.

We’re not 100% certain, but our best guess is that it’s a weather-related decision (paving + rain = bad mix?).

Here’s their language:

The overlay on First Ave. has been cancelled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights.

On Wednesday day, the determination will be made as to, GO or NO GO for the Thursday night paving. 

The determination on Friday night paving, may or may not be made at this time depending on the weather outlook for Friday.

Doncha just love politicspeak?

“May or may not be made at this time…”!

So…ignore our previous post with subsequent dire warning interactive map, and drive all you want south on First Ave between 148th and 160th.

Personally, we’re going to go do a reckless circular pattern around that area, so look for the speeding green Mini Cooper with the BTB stickers on the doors!

On Monday (Aug. 18th) final paving is scheduled to begin on First Ave South, starting at SW 148th and moving southward, so be prepared for LOTS of construction work, delays and frustrated driving for up to four weeks depending on the weather.

Once paving begins, expect “significant impact on traffic patterns” from 7pm-7am because portions of First Ave South will be completely closed as the contractors move North to South.

Complete closures of First Ave South are being considered in order to expedite this phase of construction.

Trans-Tech work installing traffic signals and loops has taken longer than originally expected due to unforeseen repairs to existing loops for traffic signaling, however, this work is expected to be complete in the next 2-3 weeks.

Concrete work to install curbs, gutters and sidewalks to SW 146th is 95% complete. The remainder of the concrete will be completed after the overhead lines & poles are removed.  Pedestrians should use extreme caution in this work area.

Seattle City Light will be on site in the coming weeks to pull wire & install equipment in the vaults between SW 160th & 154th.

Qwest will be onsite pulling & splicing wires, and their activity will continue for the next several months as well.

Theft of materials and illegal dumping in construction holding areas has been reported. These types of crimes only hinder the progress of this project. If you see any suspicious activity, please call 911.

It is important to remember that the contractor is required to maintain access to all businesses and inform businesses when their driveway will be closed or impacted by construction. If your driveway is blocked during business hours, please contact Discover Burien or Bruce McPherson at 206.439.2330 and we will contact the contractor.

If you sustain damage from rocks or material from trucks traveling on SR509, SR518 or roads other than 1st Avenue, please note the date, time, and license # of the truck and contact the trucking company. All liability rests on the trucking companies responsible for damage.

Questions? Please call Discover Burien: 206.433.2882

Map of the mess (click on the placeholder icons for more info):

View Larger Map