November 22

Cars slip and slide down the Counterbalance

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Update 11:57 p.m. Monday: Yet another car crashed on the Counterbalance heading up to Queen Anne, and there’s video:

Video courtesy of Fred Sayre.

Update 10:45 p.m. If there something that every Queen Anne resident knows, it’s not to drive up the Queen Anne Ave. hill in the snow. Just watch what happens with this Audi after it nearly reaches the top:

And that’s not all. Moments later, another Audi met the same fate. Watch here. Videos by JohnGoad via @markmurray98119.

Update 6:42 p.m.: Good thing the Counterbalance is finally closed to traffic, because there was quite an alarming pile up of cars stuck on the icy slope this evening, culminating when three cars (one a yellow taxi), all slipping independently, collided.

Pre-collision.

Post-collision.

We’re also hearing reports that many Metro bus routes servicing Queen Anne are no longer able to make stops on much of the hill. Check these route alerts here.

Update 5:18 p.m.: There have been reportedly two collisions along West Olympic/10th Ave W, however a reader says Taylor/5th Ave N is not too bad.

Update 5:01 p.m.: If you’re driving to the top of the hill tonight, avoid Queen Anne Ave N at all costs—there are now cars sliding around up and down the Counterbalance. At one point at around 4:55 p.m. there were five cars stuck at the intersection of Queen Anne Ave N and Aloha, about a third of the way up the hill. While most have made it through, many have had to turn around and slide back down the hill. If you’re not already on the Counterbalance, try to find another way home. Other suggested routes up the south slope: Taylor & 5th Ave N, and 10th Ave W.

If you’re planning to take Queen Anne Avenue home today, you might want to head back as soon as possible, because snow on the steep street is stacking up—and sticking.

While cars are still traveling up and down the Counterbalance regularly, in the last thirty minutes the pavement has quickly been powered with snow. It doesn’t look like the street will be open much longer.

On a more enthusiastic note, can someone say sledding tomorrow?

In the meantime, here’s how snow (and traffic) is looking at various points in and around Queen Anne.


Tags

commuting, Queen Anne Ave., Snow, The Counterbalance, traffic


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