Showing posts with label wsdot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wsdot. Show all posts

North Cascades highway reopens after fires and mudslide

Friday, August 23, 2024


SR 20 North Cascades Highway reopened on August 22, 2024 between Granite Creek and Easy Pass trailhead (milepost 148-157) after having been closed since August 4 for fire activity and then a mudslide.

Before you start your engines, a few things to know:
  • Fire crews continue to work in the area in response to the Easy Fire and a 35 mph advisory speed zone has been posted between milepost 150 and 154.
  • Please do not pull over or attempt to pass through this area and remain alert for fire and maintenance vehicles exiting and entering the roadway.
  • Beginning 7am on Monday, August 26, there will be flagger-controlled traffic with a pilot car between milepost 150 and 154 so maintenance crews can continue to clear basins and restore drainage. The road will remain open without a pilot car during non-working hours.
Thank you to our crews for all of their work to clear ~7,000 tons of material after a mudslide buried sections of the road on Aug. 11 following a rainstorm.


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Op-Ed: Removing fish barriers to improve salmon habitat and transportation for generations to come

Sunday, August 18, 2024

Crews work to install a buried, concrete box-like structure that will allow Skagit River fish better access under SR 20 between Concrete and Rockport. Photo courtesy WSDOT

By Roger Millar, Washington State Secretary of Transportation

Perfect is the enemy of good. This feels remarkably applicable to the Washington State Department of Transportation's work improving fish habitat. A 2013 federal court order directed WSDOT to correct hundreds of outdated fish barriers and open hundreds of miles of habitat. We're doing just that: working to remove 400 fish passage barriers and restore 90% of habitat blocked by state highways in little more than a decade once the Legislature ramped up funding.

The federal court order requires this work and sets the parameters (prioritizing projects by potential habitat gain) – and that's how we're going about it. As of June 2024, we have corrected 146 injunction barriers, opening 571 miles of potential fish habitat – 50 percent of the total blocked habitat of injunction culverts. We currently have 160 additional sites under construction contract. Once those additional 160 barriers are corrected, WSDOT will have restored access to 70% of blocked potential habitat. With existing funds, we expect to restore access to 75% of blocked potential habitat. The remaining work to get to 90% requires additional funding estimated at $4 billion.

One of two new box culverts shown here now helps tributaries to Patterson Creek flow freely underneath SR 203 near Fall City, opening up a potential 11 miles of habitat for salmon and other native fish. Photo courtesy WSDOT

In the past year, the Seattle Times has questioned the value of the projects we've addressed, confused our court mandated approach with other state agency fish passage efforts and asserted the presence of other fish barriers up- or downstream of our projects renders our work little more than "stranded investments." 

Here are the realities. The legal fight to arrive at these court-ordered requirements started in 2001 and lasted 17 years. Is the project list perfect? Does it immediately resolve every other barrier in every waterway we've worked on? No. But contrary to the assertion that we're building "stranded investments," we're simply the first owner out of the gate.

State law requires every barrier owner to fix their barriers and we just happen to be the only barrier owner also required to do the work by the court. Our work is the linchpin. When we correct our barriers, it creates or continues momentum as WSDOT barriers are often the largest and most expensive. 

Other owners in that same watershed may have less expensive barriers that likely will score higher for grant funding opportunities to correct them after our work is complete. Subsequent actions taken by other barrier owners makes every WSDOT investment valuable. As with anything difficult, if there's not motivation to do the work, no one will get it done. Salmon can't wait decades and again, perfect is the enemy of good. And our share of the effort would only become more expensive if we were to wait the years or decades for all partners to be ready to go at the same time.

Workers dig under a new bridge to restore a stream under US 12 in Grays Harbor County
Photo courtesy WSDOT

I call this work a moonshot – a monumental, aspirational effort – because that's exactly what we are delivering. No other state department of transportation or organization anywhere in the nation has been tasked with fixing generations of significant environmental harm in such little time. Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife field surveys confirm fish are already returning to many of the restored waterways.

We've faced many challenges not directly within our control, including funding, supply chain, workforce and construction industry shortages, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and the presence of up- or downstream barriers. We've gotten better and more efficient with the work, including new contracting methods and bundling projects to save time, money and impacts to the traveling public.

SR 108: A worker holds a small cutthroat trout gently removed from a fish passage construction site in Mason County before work begins to improve access along SR 108. All fish are removed, counted and then released into another part of the waterway as part of the preparation process. This fish passage work improves access for salmon as well as many other types of fish. Photo courtesy WSDOT

While a federal court requires this work, correcting fish barriers benefits every single Washingtonian present and future. From a purely transportation perspective, removing fish barriers allows us to design and build structures to better withstand earthquakes and extreme storms and flooding. The new structures' natural stream conditions restore runs and open habitat to salmon and many other types of wildlife. 

More importantly, improving salmon habitat is one crucial step we can take to repair the fragile ecosystem of the beautiful state we call home. WSDOT remains committed to continuing this hard, rewarding work in partnership with Washington's tribes.

Bottom line – the court injunction lays out roles and responsibilities for culverts under state-owned roads. Local governments, landowners and tribes have roles to play in broader watershed and stream restoration efforts. While WSDOT culvert projects may not bring back salmon solely on their own, they are a critical piece of the puzzle – OUR piece of the puzzle.


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Retired state ferries sold for $100,000 each to be recycled in Ecuador

Saturday, August 17, 2024

The Klahowya in her final assignment, as the inter-island vessel in the San Juan Islands. Courtesy of Brandon Swan at Evergreen Fleet.

Buyer plans to recycle Elwha and Klahowya at clean facility

SEATTLE – Two vessels that each spent more than 50 years as part of the Washington State Ferries fleet are heading to South America.

WSF has entered into purchase and sales agreements with Nelson Armas of Ecuador for Elwha and Klahowya. The sale price was $100,000 each, previously paid to WSF. 

With approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, the new owner plans to transport the ferries by tow for recycling at a clean, green steel mill facility in Ecuador. Both boats are certified to be free of hazardous materials.

A small Western Towboat Co. tug, supplied by the new owner, will take Elwha and Klahowya out of Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility on Bainbridge Island, where they are currently docked, starting at 9:30am Monday, August 19, 2024. 

Then the vessels will connect with the voyage towing tugboat Wycliffe, which will take them out of the Puget Sound. Track Wycliffe’s progress in real time using MarineTraffic.

The sale of a third decommissioned vessel, Hyak, is pending.

“After safely serving our customers for more than five decades each, the sale of these two retired ferries will free up our docking space so we can focus vessel maintenance needs on our current fleet,” said WSF Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey. 
“In addition, any time we needed to move these decommissioned boats to allow for vessel or terminal maintenance, there was a cost for a tugboat, and we needed a tow captain on board, taking away a crewmember from working on one of our routes.”

Elwa courtesy West Coast Ferries forum

The 144-car Elwha and Hyak are two of four Super-class ferries built in the mid-1960s. Elwha mainly served the Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney, British Columbia route before being retired on April 8, 2020. Hyak, which was decommissioned on June 30, 2019, was primarily used on the Seattle/Bremerton route and is now docked at Kingston terminal. 

The final two Super-class ferries, Kaleetan and Yakima, are still in service.

Built in 1958, the 87-car Evergreen State-class Klahowya mainly served the Fauntleroy / Vashon / Southworth route. It moved to the San Juan Islands inter-island run in 2014. When Klahowya was decommissioned on July 1, 2017, sister ship Tillikum replaced it on the route.

WSF, a division of the Washington State Department of Transportation, is the largest ferry system in the U.S. and safely and efficiently carries tens of millions of people a year through some of the most majestic scenery in the world. 

For the latest service updates, sign up for rider alerts and track each ferry using the real-time map online.


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New look at future hybrid-electric ferries

Sunday, August 11, 2024

New rendering of hybrid-electric ferry

Washington State Ferries has released new renderings of what the five hybrid-electric vessels will look like. 

On first glance they appear to be very similar to our current fleet. But if you look closely, you’ll notice large green boxes on the top deck. Those are the boat’s charging receptacles. 

Below deck, you’ll find a flexible hybrid propulsion plant that includes two diesel engines as well as two battery banks, powering two electric motors on each end. 

Other features include open-air passenger lounges beneath each wheelhouse and 47 more feet of length than our Olympic-class ferries, increasing vehicle capacity from 144 to 160. 

The cornerstone of our system electrification efforts, the vessels will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 76% by the year 2040.


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WSDOT: Batten down the hatches! It's Seafair weekend!

Friday, August 2, 2024

WSDOT "paint map" of weekend activities
Avast! It's Seafair weekend in Seattle, so expect some pirate puns and a fair bit of traffic.

We'll spare you (from the puns anyway). But we will remind you that it's the heart of summer and there is a lot going on in every corner of the state. There's also road and highway construction that you might encounter on your travels.

Remember, the Interstate 90 bridges between Seattle and Bellevue will be open, along with the trail, but people biking, walking or rolling should not stop or stand along the trail during the air shows. And if you're behind the wheel when the Blue Angels roar past, please keep your eyes on the road.

Wherever you're headed, some words of wisdom: Expect traffic and leave early; "know before you go" with our mobile app and real-time travel map; and if possible take transit to your destination.

Visit Seattle Seafair’s website for more information about Seafair activities.


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Please help WSDOT workers get home safely

68 WSDOT work zone accidents in July
That’s 68 work zone collisions. Not this year. Not this summer. Not statewide. Just the month of July across the greater Puget Sound area. 

We try to keep it pretty light on here, but it needs to be said: This is completely unacceptable and preventable.

Far too often, our workers are hurt in these types of collisions. 

Like many of you, they are just trying to do their jobs. Like many of you, they just want to go home to their families at the end of their shift. 

Whether we work during the day or night, the dangers road workers face has increased exponentially.

The good news is that the fix should be simple. 

The leading causes of these collisions are speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence and following too closely

The solution is quite literally a matter of slowing down, giving the crews plenty of space to work and paying attention to your surroundings.

Please help WSDOT workers get home safely.


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Weekend closure of SR 520, SR 520 Trail across Lake Washington begins Friday night, July 26, 2024

Saturday, July 27, 2024

520 Bridge closed this weekend
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Weekend closure of SR 520, SR 520 Trail across Lake Washington begins Friday night, July 26, 2024, however, Eastbound SR 520 lane to reopen for three hours Saturday afternoon, July 27, for Seafair Torchlight Parade traffic

Drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians traveling across Lake Washington should plan ahead for a State Route 520 closure from 11pm Friday night, July 26, until 5am Monday, July 29.

The closure spans from Interstate 5 in Seattle to 92nd Ave NE in Clyde Hill. The SR 520 Trail also will close throughout the weekend.

3-hour opening of eastbound lane for Seafair Torchlight Parade

To accommodate people leaving the Seafair Torchlight Parade, from 4:30 to 7:30pm Saturday, July 27, crews will open:
  • The northbound I-5 ramp to eastbound SR 520.
  • One eastbound SR 520 lane from I-5 to the Eastside.
  • The SR 520 eastbound off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard.

People going to the parade from the Eastside should find alternate routes and expect delays since there is continuous weekend construction on westbound SR 520.

During the weekend, contractor crews working for the SR 520 I-5 Express Lanes Connection Project will repave the westbound SR 520 ramp to southbound I-5.


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Southbound I-5 lane closures in Shoreline and north Seattle for maintenance overnight Saturday, July 13, 2024

Saturday, July 13, 2024


The two left lanes on southbound Interstate 5 between NE 155th Street and NE 130th Street in Shoreline / north Seattle will close from 11pm Saturday, July 13, 2024 until 4am Sunday, July 14 for sign maintenance.

Washington State Department of Transportation crews will perform repairs on an express lane sign. People traveling in the area should plan for delays during this lane closure.

People can receive real-time travel information via the WSDOT mobile app and the real-time travel map.


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Brighter colors, new reflectors signify WSDOT work zones and vehicles

WSDOT's new green flashing lights are more visible in foggy conditions.

You may notice unusual flashes of brilliant green light along state highways at some point. A burst of emerald light, far in the distance, through dense fog or the dark of night, may catch you off-guard. 

They come in peace – these flashes are not extraterrestrial; they’re just state Department of Transportation work trucks.

WSDOT is debuting new safety equipment, including higher-visibility flashers and new reflective warning stripes on attenuator vehicles.

Last year, the department even experimented with orange-colored road striping on I-5 to call attention to work zones. There are more than 1,200 work zone crashes in Washington state every year, and WSDOT workers are far too often endangered by reckless drivers. The department is expressing some creativity in protecting road crews.

Our crews work sometimes just inches from active traffic while repairing or improving our roads or responding to crashes. Despite warning signs, orange cones and other signals, too many people hit our vehicles or even strike our crews. We also have many near misses that don't injure anyone but are still terrifying.

Green light seems to cut through fog better than amber lights, allowing drivers to spot snowplows and salt trucks from further away in foggy or wintery conditions. 

And attenuator trucks, weighted trucks parked near work zones to absorb the impact of a wayward car, are switching out their black-and-yellow striping for white-and-red reflective striping.

These small changes may help WSDOT crews and vehicles be more visible. But Washington drivers should do their part by driving with greater care in work zones. Reckless, distracted, or impaired drivers hurt people. Slow down, pay attention, and ‘give workers a brake.’



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Scene on the Sound: Shortage in the System

Monday, July 1, 2024

Photo by Jan Hansen

Jan comments: It is a beautiful time of year, and many are using our ferry systems. The Washington State Ferries are short vessels and crew. Some of the scheduled runs are being cancelled, so travelers need to do check ahead and plan.

WSDOT details: We’re expecting about 700,000 people to ride our ferries from Friday, June 28, through Sunday, July 7, 2024. 

To help navigate this July Fourth travel rush, customers are encouraged to download and use the WSDOT mobile app

The app and our website allow visitors to see sailing schedules, view live terminal conditions and traffic cameras, check for rider alerts that provide service updates by route, monitor a real-time map for the location of each operating vessel and make vehicle reservations for our Anacortes/San Juan Islands or Port Townsend/Coupeville runs. 

We run a complex operation of roughly 400 daily sailings. Our online tools let customers take control of their ferry travel to help plan a trip and know what to expect before they get in a ferry waiting line.

Even more information here


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Change your behavior to protect the lives of WSDOT workers on the highways

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Work zone. Photo courtesy WSDOT

As a WSDOT traffic control supervisor, Ashley Jackson designs traffic plans to create work zones for projects on our state highways. Unfortunately, traffic control doesn’t eliminate the risk our crews face in the field. Ashley and all our crews need your help.

With Work Zone Awareness Month entering its final days of 2024, Ashley’s message to every driver:
  • Get off your phones while driving.
  • Don't drink and drive.
  • And, slow down and pay attention in work zones.
Read more about Ashley, her role in creating traffic control and some of the workers she’s helping to protect in this blog.


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WSDOT: Scammers are impersonating Good To Go!

Thursday, April 25, 2024


From WSDOT

We recently received reports from both customers and non-customers, of fraudulent emails and texts claiming to be Good To Go! advising customers of past due bills and providing a link to pay, or claiming to be from a collections agency working on behalf of Good To Go!.

These messages were not sent by Good To Go! and customers should not click on the links in the email or open any attachments.

We would like to reassure you that under no circumstances do we disclose individual customer information for use by marketing firms. All Good To Go! customer information, including name, address and payment information, is kept confidential and private, and is protected by law.

We would never ask you to pay on any website other than www.MyGoodToGo.com. If you are questioning if any messages you receive are real you can always log into your account to check, or call customer service to verify. Any message Good To Go! would send you via email or text will also be visible on your account.

Similar fraudulent emails and texts are being sent to customers of several toll agencies and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is investigating multiple complaints throughout the country. 

If you receive one of the fraudulent emails or texts you should file a complaint with the IC3 at www.ic3.gov and be sure to include the phone number or email address from where the message was sent, and the website listed in the text of the message. Then delete the email or text.

Although Good To Go! did not send these emails, please know we regret any inconvenience or concern it may have caused you.


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Scenic SR 20 North Cascades Highway now open

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

SR 20 North Cascades Highway opened after its annual winter closure on Friday, April 19.
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Following a final avalanche control mission on Monday, April 15, 2024 WSDOT reopened SR 20/North Cascades Highway on Friday morning, April 19. 

This section of SR 20 from milepost 134 to 171 closes every winter due to safety and access concerns. The road closed for the winter on November 30, 2023; spring clearing began March 25.

The 33-mile long North Cascades Highway is sometimes referred to the as the “North Cross” as the northernmost east-west route over the Cascade mountains.

Even with the highway reopened for the season, travelers should be prepared for the potential for snow and ice while traveling through the mountain passes and should keep in mind that many of the United States Forest Service and National Park Service facilities have not yet opened for the season. 

WSDOT crews will clear the road and shoulder and any pullout areas needed for maintenance work, but otherwise, there are few facilities open and no cell service through the mountain passes.


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Ramps to close overnight Sunday near Aurora Village for pavement repair

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Crews sealed cracks and made pavement repairs along the northbound I-405 off-ramp to Totem Lake Boulevard Wednesday, April 17, in Kirkland. This week, they'll work on two ramps in Edmonds. Photo courtesy WSDOT

WSDOT will close two ramps between Aurora (SR 99) and N 205th/SW244/SR104 next week to seal cracks and repair pavement. The location is just north of Aurora Village.

Contractor crews will close:
  • The eastbound SR 104 ramp to southbound SR 99 from 9pm Sunday, April 21, to 5am Monday, April 22. A signed detour will guide people around the closure using eastbound SR 104 to westbound 244th Street Southwest.
  • The southbound SR 99 ramp to eastbound SR 104 from 10pm Monday, April 22, to 5am Tuesday, April 23. A signed detour will guide people around the closure using southbound SR 99 to eastbound 244th Street Southwest.
All work is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled. The pavement repairs will create a smoother ride and extend the lifespan of the pavement.


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Celebrating 30 years of Amtrak Cascades passenger rail service and looking to the future

Monday, April 8, 2024

Two new Amtrak engine to be built by Siemens
Rendering courtesy WSDOT

OLYMPIA – Amtrak Cascades passenger rail service celebrated its 30-year anniversary on April 1, 2024. On this date in 1994, the Washington State Department of Transportation and Amtrak launched a single daily roundtrip between Seattle and Portland. This train supplemented the nationally funded long distance and regional service that had operated in the Pacific Northwest since Amtrak was formed in 1971.

Today the state-funded Amtrak Cascades system serves 18 cities in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Since its inception in April 1994, Amtrak Cascades has carried more than 18 million passengers. Its most popular stops along the 461-mile route include Seattle’s King Street Station, Portland’s Union Station, and Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“This 30-year milestone was made possible through the collaborative efforts of many partners, communities, elected officials and our valued passengers,” said Jason Biggs, director of WSDOT’s Rail, Freight, and Ports Division. “We’ve progressed significantly over the last three decades to meet the growing population and economy of our region, but today we reflect on where it all started.”

Train interior. Image courtesy WSDOT

Six months after the first train left Seattle, the service further expanded in October 1994 when the Oregon Department of Transportation and Amtrak added a daily train between Eugene and Portland. In May 1995 the service grew further to include trips between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Since that time, Washington and Oregon have worked together to schedule more daily trips. Today there are a total of 12 daily trains between Seattle and Portland; four between Portland and Eugene; and four between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. 

In 2024, WSDOT anticipates ridership on Amtrak Cascades to approach one million passengers annually.

“We’re thrilled to see so many people continuing to ride and support Amtrak Cascades over the years,” said Suzanne Carlson, administrator of ODOT’s Public Transportation Division. 
“As a regular Amtrak Cascades rider, I know how important this option is for all of us. We are fortunate to have an environmentally friendly, relaxing way to travel – and that’s going to become even more important as we look to grow and improve our service in the Pacific Northwest.”

Image courtesy WSDOT

As Amtrak Cascades looks toward the future, Amtrak and the states of Washington and Oregon are introducing a new fleet of state-of-the art trains that are scheduled to debut in 2026. 

The new trains, funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, are part of a nationwide transformation designed to revolutionize the passenger rail experience. 

The first Amtrak Airo trains will go to the Amtrak Cascades service in the Pacific Northwest. Both Washington and Oregon also are developing Amtrak Cascades service development plans to add more frequent and reliable daily service in the years ahead. WSDOT’s preliminary plan is available for comment through April 18, 2024.

“Today we pause to remember that it all began as a strategic decision to invest in passenger rail service by visionary leaders in the 1990s. We honor their foresight,” said Biggs. “We are grateful for the support received from so many people and organizations over the past 30 years and look forward to the decades ahead for even greater advances for passenger rail in the Pacific Northwest.”

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WSDOT ceremony for employees who lost their lives in work zones

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

61 workers have died since 1950, the most recent in June 2023
Photo courtesy WSDOT

From WSDOT

Today we honored the 61 employees who have lost their lives in work zones since 1950. 

The ceremony was beautiful and meaningful, but for me the most moving part was a conversation I overheard in the reception ahead of time. The mother of a recently fallen worker was introduced to a family member of another fallen worker.

The grieving mother asked, “How do you do it? How do you deal with the day-to-day?”

The other woman reached out to touch her arm in consolation. “It doesn’t get better,” she said. “But you do get used to it. But I don’t remember any of what happened in 2011 after he died, or most of 2012 either.”

One cone with a flower and a hard hat for each of the 61 WSDOT workers killed in a work zone
Photo courtesy WSDOT

From all of us who work here, and all of our families and friends, we want you to remember that we are real people out there working on the road. 

Slow down, move over, pay attention. We all want to get home safely.


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SR 520 floating bridge lit with colors of Maryland flag after Baltimore bridge disaster

520 bridge tribute to Maryland. Photo courtesy WSDOT

Monday, April 1, 2024, the SR 520 floating bridge over Lake Washington was lit red, yellow, and white - the colors of Maryland's flag. 

Our thoughts are with those injured, deceased and still missing along with the brave first responders and our colleagues at the Maryland DOT following Tuesday's bridge tragedy in Baltimore.

--WSDOT


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Remove studded tires by March 31

Friday, March 22, 2024

Photo by John Boril
OLYMPIA – Springtime in the Pacific Northwest often signals blooming flowers and warmer days ahead. It also means Washington’s deadline to remove studded tires is fast approaching.

Studded tires must be removed by the end of the day Sunday, March 31, to avoid a potential fine of $137. The removal date falls on a holiday this year which could mean some shops are closed, so the Washington State Department of Transportation urges travelers to plan ahead now.

Studded tires are legal in Washington from November 1 to March 31. There is no individual exception or “out of state waiver” to the studded tire dates. Tickets could be issued by the Washington State Patrol as soon as Monday, April 1. WSDOT does not issue tickets.

State law gives WSDOT the authority to extend the deadline when circumstances call for it, most commonly when a forecast indicates widespread snow and ice. While late season storms are possible in the mountain passes, there are no forecasted statewide conditions that would call for an extension to the deadline this year. 

For mountain travel, WSDOT recommends drivers use approved traction tires and carry chains to have handy if necessary. WSDOT crews will also watch weather closely and respond quickly to any scattered spring snow to keep travelers moving.

“We know that studded tires cause between $20 million to $29 million in damage to state-owned roads in Washington each winter and also damage city and county roads,” said WSDOT Maintenance Operations Manager James Morin. 
“We urge travelers to explore all their traction options, including non-stud, winter-tread tires which are different from all-season tires. These tires are legal year-round and don’t damage our highways.”

Washington and Oregon share the same studded tire removal deadline. Other states may have different studded tire removal dates, but the Washington law applies to all drivers in the state, even visitors.

More information about studded tire regulations in Washington is available online.


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WSDOT installing new guardrails on NE 145th and 23 other locations

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Safer guardrail. Photo courtesy WSDOT
It’s unrealistic to expect guardrails and barriers along our roads will never get hit, but we can help make them safer when crashes do happen. 

A new project to improve 24 guardrails and barriers across King, Snohomish and Whatcom counties begins in mid-March. 

We’re replacing materials along our guardrails and barriers at various spots along Interstates 5, 90 and 405, US 2 and State Routes 522 and 527, adding energy-absorbing equipment to improve safety during potential crashes.

Photo courtesy WSDOT
The new materials placed alongside some of our busiest on- and off-ramps facing oncoming traffic are designed to crumple to better absorb energy in the event a vehicle hits them. 

We’ll also replace the attenuators at the southbound I-5 exits to James St and NE 71st St in Seattle, adding an accordion-like cushion from nearby concrete barriers to help reduce a vehicle’s force in the event of a crash.

This important WSDOT project will impact the NE 145th on ramp to southbound I-5, which will be closed overnight on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 (11pm - 5am). The work is expected to take only one night to complete.

You can find updated project schedules on our social media accounts and our real-time Travel Center Map.


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State receives two federal grants for passenger rail service

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Amtrak Cascades, Cascadia High-Speed Rail programs receive funding
Photo courtesy WSDOT

OLYMPIA – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced this week the award of grants for two Washington State Department of Transportation rail programs. The Amtrak Cascades and the Cascadia High-Speed Rail programs were each awarded $500,000 through the Corridor Identification and Development (CID) program.

With these awards, both programs are designated as national rail corridors and are now part of the federal funding pipeline for future intercity passenger rail projects. These initial $500,000 grants provide funding to develop scopes, schedules, and cost estimates for preparing a service-development plan for each corridor.

WSDOT submitted the Amtrak Cascades grant application in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Transportation. It will support preparation of an integrated service-development plan for both states that creates a blueprint for improvements over the next 20 years.

The Cascadia High-Speed Rail application supports planning for a separate rail corridor connecting Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., with hour long trips between each city. The Cascadia mega-region is experiencing considerable growth, with three to four million more people expected by 2050. By studying the viability of a high-speed train system, the region can determine the best ways to address transportation and other related quality-of-life issues for future generations.

“WSDOT is very pleased to receive federal support for both important passenger rail programs,” said Washington Transportation Secretary Roger Millar. 
“These two complementary systems would connect with one another to transport people efficiently, reliably and in environmentally friendly ways. We’re planning improvements for current rail passengers, as well as envisioning an even more robust system in the future.”

WSDOT also applied for a $198 million Federal-State Partnership grant from FRA to support the Cascadia High-Speed Rail program. This application was not funded in the 2023 federal funding cycle, as FRA chose to award funding to projects ready for construction. 

However, Washington, Oregon and British Columbia plan to move forward with the analysis using existing state and provincial funds and will continue to coordinate with FRA on federal funding through the CID program. 

Federal-State Partnership grants will be part of the CID funding pipeline in the future. As projects progress through the CID process, they will be eligible to access future Federal–State Partnership planning funds without having to reapply.


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