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

Jobs: WSDOT in Shoreline

Monday, January 8, 2018

Job Title: NWR Assistant Information Technology Manager (WMS2)
Opening Date: 1/08/2018
Closing Date: 1/23/2018 11:59PM
Salary: $6,410.00 - $8,219.00 Monthly
Job Type: Full Time-Permanent
Location: Shoreline, WA
Recruitment #: 18DOT-WMS-0W365

The Opportunity:
WSDOT has an exciting leadership opportunity out of our Shoreline office for an Assistant Information Technology manger. The Northwest Region Assistant IT Manager position's main purpose is to manage the daily operation of the IT staff and IT resources for the NW Region and Mega Projects. This position is required to assist/supervise in the strategic planning, budgeting, purchasing, supervision of IT technical staff, and serve as a senior IT consultant to the region.

In this role you'll contributes to the WSDOT mission by providing and supporting the technology required to deliver transportation planning, highway project development, construction, and maintenance activities throughout the Northwest Region.

To view the full posting and apply, please click here.



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WSDOT: Fireworks, Festivities & Football

Saturday, December 30, 2017

From WSDOT

There are many special events happening in and around the Seattle area this weekend as we ring in the New Year. 

First, the Seahawks are in town for their final home game of the year… and it’s a big one. A win against the Arizona Cardinals (and an Atlanta Falcons loss) means the Hawks are in the playoffs, so you can bet that the 12s are going to show out for this one. Kickoff is at 1:25pm on Sunday.

Also, make sure you plan ahead for congestion on highways entering Seattle on Sunday night as thousands head towards the Space Needle to watch the annual fireworks show. If you plan on going, make sure you leave yourself extra time to get there. And if you happen to just be driving through the city when the clock strikes midnight, please don't stop on the shoulders or ramps to watch the show, it's unsafe.

Out with the old, and in with the new – here’s to 2018! Happy New Year!


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WSDOT: Response to questions about curves on rail lines

Friday, December 22, 2017

From the Washington State Department of Transportation

With the recent derailment of an Amtrak Cascades train, we wanted to talk a bit about the Point Defiance Bypass and our agency’s work to develop it for Amtrak Cascades passenger train service. Our thoughts remain with the passengers and families involved in the tragic Monday, Dec. 18, derailment and we want to answer questions that have arisen about the tracks where the train derailed.

Long-range planning to develop these tracks for expanded passenger rail service began more than a decade ago and was initially conceptual – looking at all possible options. The long-range plan referenced in recent media stories states it was developed “without financial constraints” and goes on to explain “as a result, the plan’s ‘building blocks’ with the operational benefits are intended to be implemented incrementally.”

As a transportation agency, we must always balance providing service goals with funding and schedule constraints. Our goal with our recent improvement project was to provide better reliability and six Seattle to Portland roundtrips. The work done on the Point Defiance Bypass – and the rest of the tracks from Blaine to Vancouver, Washington – achieved those goals, allowing us to continue to travel at the same maximum speed as before – 79 mph – but improving the reliability of our service and giving travelers two additional options for daily roundtrip service.

The track configuration as it exists today meets all Federal Railroad Administration requirements.

The bypass tracks have a reduced speed limit before the curve where the derailment took place to inform engineers to decrease their speed to negotiate the curve. The maximum speed limit decreases from 79 mph to 30, with signs posted two miles before the speed zone and just before the speed zone approaching the curve. Amtrak is responsible for ensuring all engineers on this specific set of tracks are qualified. It is common for railroads to have areas of reduced speeds due to curves or other factors, as found along the entire Cascades route.

Trains successfully ran the bypass track numerous times in the past few months during track testing, locomotive testing and engineer qualification on the tracks, and the ceremonial train ride with passengers on Dec. 15 during the new station dedication.

The investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will determine the cause of the derailment and we cannot speculate as to what caused it while the NTSB conducts its important work. We’ll continue to share updates and any information we can while the NTSB investigation continues.




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Freeway open after train cars are cleared

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Photo courtesy WSDOT

UPDATE 10pm: all lanes of southbound I-5 have been opened.

UPDATE 5pm: Two lanes of southbound I-5 are now open.

Two lanes of southbound I-5 in DuPont reopened at about 5pm today. The Mounts Road off-ramp will also reopen. The speed limit will be 45 mph through the area for safety.

The right lane will remain closed while we continue to make repairs and hope to have it open by Thursday morning.

Please be cautious once the highway reopens. We often see collisions in reopening situations and that would obviously impact traffic. Work together and be patient.

We appreciate everyone's patience as we've worked to get I-5 back open.

--WSDOT



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WSDOT update on train derailment

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Photo courtesy WSP
From the Washington State Department of Transportation 8:50pm Tuesday

Operations to remove the remaining rail cars on and adjacent to the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 will continue through the night.

Crews made substantial progress Tuesday in clearing the site. Most of the derailed train cars have been loaded onto semis to be hauled away and securely stored.

Bridge engineers also inspected the rail bridge and deemed it structurally sound, with only minor repairs needed for safely reopening the interstate.

Remaining work includes relocating the cranes to position them to remove the train’s locomotive, which remains on the southbound I-5 lanes.

Crews also need to remove a hazard tree. It is highly likely southbound I-5 will remain closed through Wednesday morning’s commute and travelers should plan accordingly.

Reopening I-5
WSDOT maintenance crews have pre-staged supplies, equipment and staff, and plan to begin repairs on guardrail and damaged portions of the highway as soon as they are cleared to do so.

Southbound I-5 detour
The primary detour is SR 16 to SR 3 – which is what commercial vehicles should use. We are seeing significant congestion on SR 507 and SR 7, and do not recommend travelers take SR 302.

Before heading out the door, drivers should check the latest traffic conditions by using WSDOT’s trip planning tools:

Calling 5-1-1
Following @wsdot_tacoma and @wspd1pio on Twitter
Checking WSDOT flow maps and traveler alerts on wsdot.wa.gov




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Statement on Amtrak Cascades derailment from WSDOT

Monday, December 18, 2017

Photo from Trooper Brooke Bova, WSP
From the Washington State Department of Transportation

Today’s (Monday, Dec. 18) tragic derailment of the Amtrak Cascades southbound train has significantly impacted the lives of many this morning.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this event and their families.

We are working closely with multiple partners, including Washington State Patrol, Sound Transit, Amtrak, Pierce County, JBLM and local emergency responders to assess the situation and render assistance.

After emergency response is complete, and the National Transportation Safety Board has released the scene, the train will be removed from the interstate right of way.

We anticipate this will be a lengthy process due to the severity of the incident and the size and weight of the train cars. WSDOT is working with other agencies on any rerouting of traffic during the investigation.

The Amtrak Cascades train service is jointly owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Transportation. Amtrak operates the service for the two states as a contractor, and is responsible for day-to-day operations. Amtrak Cascades runs trains from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Eugene, Oregon.

The tracks, known as the Point Defiance Bypass, are owned by Sound Transit. The tracks were previously owned by BNSF and were used for occasional freight and military transport.

WSDOT received federal grants to improve the tracks for passenger rail service. As owners of the corridor, Sound Transit managed the track upgrade work under an agreement with WSDOT. Funding for the upgrades was provided by the Federal Railroad Administration, which reviewed work throughout the duration of the contract.

Today was the first day of public use of the tracks, after weeks of inspection and testing.



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WSDOT: Are you prepared for winter driving?

Thursday, November 9, 2017

What to carry in your car
WSDOT

WSDOT has a winter driving webpage for tips and information to make sure you and your vehicle are prepared for winter.

Here at WSDOT, we always want you to “know before you go.” This includes getting the most up-to-date information before heading out.

Sign up for email and/or text updates about road conditions – including Snoqualmie Pass text alerts.

Download, print and carry the WSDOT Winter Driving Guide.

Get your vehicle ready and plan extra time to cross all mountain passes, including heavily traveled routes such as Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass and White Pass.



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New state office focuses on urban mobility & access

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Assistant Secretary Patty Rubstello
The Washington State Department of Transportation has set up a new office based in the central Puget Sound region to tackle coordination of a dizzying number of projects coming online in the next six years.

At the last Transportation Policy Board meeting, Transportation Secretary Roger Millar described changes to WSDOT’s organizational structure that will help deliver projects and coordinate work with cities, counties and other partners.

The office for Urban Mobility and Access represents a realignment of existing resources within WSDOT that will focus on coordination of projects within the fast-growing PSRC region, which encompasses King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties.

The long list of projects active over the next six years include: building a new Colman Dock, rebuilding Alaskan Way, removing the Viaduct, a new streetcar on First Avenue, building the downtown tunnel, heavy maintenance on I-5 and Aurora, major investments on I-405 and 520, and adding light rail across I-90.

“That’s all happening at the same time in terms of capital,” Millar told board members. “Management of mobility is about enhancing our operations planning. It’s about enhancing our construction coordination with our partners. It’s about enhancing our incident response capability."

Assistant Secretary Patty Rubstello will lead the office, which is organized into three divisions: Regional Transit Coordination (co-located at Sound Transit), Management of Mobility, and Tolling.

WSDOT staff also presented information on the state facilities action plan for I-5 preservation and operational improvements, HOV policy and managed lanes, seismic preparedness and local priority state highways.

This information was requested by the Transportation Policy Board to help inform the update of the Transportation 2040 plan.


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Accident Friday blocks traffic on Ballinger

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Looking east on Ballinger Way
Photo courtesy WSDOT


A crash on Friday, July 28 in the right lane of westbound SR 104 / Ballinger Way blocked traffic on Ballinger right at the I-5 off ramps.

In the photo, emergency responders have blocked both off-ramps from I-5 but are allowing one lane to pass on westbound Ballinger.

For some reason, a police vehicle is blocking the right lane of eastbound Ballinger Way, just before the exit.

Drivers were stuck on the off-ramps. Those exiting the freeway from northbound lanes were forced to go to the next exit and turn around to exit southbound on I-5.



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Southbound I-5 closed through downtown Seattle overnight Friday, July 7

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Late night drivers who use southbound Interstate 5 through downtown Seattle should prepare for traffic delays overnight Friday, July 7.

Washington State Department of Transportation tunnel maintenance crews will close lanes and ramps on southbound I-5 beginning at 11:59pm. Friday. 


The closures will allow crews to safely perform routine maintenance and testing of the fire suppression system under the Washington State Convention Center. 

All lanes and ramps will reopen at 5am Saturday morning.



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Extra ferry service and special schedules planned for Independence Day travel

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Photo courtesy WSDOT

The Fourth of July is one of the biggest travel holidays for the state ferry system. About 430,000 ferry passengers traveled across the Puget Sound during last year’s holiday weekend, and similar numbers are expected this year. 

To help holiday travelers get between the two destinations Washington State Ferries will add extra service as needed late night Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4.

Mukilteo - Clinton
Along with increased ridership, passengers sailing between Mukilteo and Clinton will also be using a smaller vessel.

The 144-car Tokitae will be replaced during this upcoming weekend with a smaller 124-car ferry due to a federally required inspection. Ferry travelers will need to plan ahead as the reduction in vehicle space could contribute to longer wait times.

Extra sailings
There will be additional sailings on the Mukilteo/Clinton route to accommodate for the heavy traffic and smaller ferry size. Extra sailings will also be used during the holiday weekend between Vashon Island and Fauntleroy, along with the Anacortes and San Juan Island routes. Several routes will also be on different schedules.

Tuesday, July 4
  • Edmonds/Kingston route will be on weekday holiday schedule.
  • Seattle/Bainbridge route will be on holiday Saturday sailing schedule.
  • Other changes are planned

Travel tips
Regardless of the route, all ferry passengers should prepare for longer than usual wait times and plan ahead.

Drivers can also plan ahead for increased congestion on highways as they make their way to the ferry terminals with real-time traffic information on the WSDOT traffic app for their mobile device.



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Evening roadwork on June 29 & 30 requires lane closure in LFP

Intersection of SR 522 and SR 104


The Washington Department of Transportation is restriping portions of the intersection of SR 522 and SR 104 (Bothell Way NE and Ballinger Way NE) from 9:00pm on Thursday, June 29, through 5:00am on Friday, June 30, 2017.

During this time, the inside lanes of both eastbound and westbound SR 522 (Bothell Way NE) and the inside left turn lane of eastbound SR 104 (Ballinger Way NE) will be closed to traffic.

If possible, plan ahead and try to avoid the area.



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511 travel information system

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Modernization of the 511 travel information system is bringing a new voice and better support to the system, but the popular menus and other features remain the same.

The 511 system offers information about statewide traffic incidents, mountain pass conditions, express lane status and statewide emergency messages. Callers also can connect to neighboring states’ 511 systems.

WSDOT’s 511 service also links callers to the Washington State Ferries reservation system, with details about schedules, fares and wait times. More than 850,000 calls are made to 511 each year.

Regular callers will hear one noticeable change: a female voice is now used on the system. Upgrades to the voice recognition system also mean callers won’t have to use the touchtone menu items as often. All the other menus, features and options remain the same.

WSDOT urges all drivers to know before you go whenever heading out on trips, by using 511 or one of many online tools to stay informed.



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Express lanes closed this weekend - May Day marches on Monday

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Express lanes closed this weekend

Drivers heading towards downtown Seattle this weekend should expect lengthy delays on southbound I-5.

The I-5 express lanes will be closed to southbound traffic on Saturday and Sunday so City of Seattle crews can clean up debris alongside the freeway. The lanes will open northbound by 1:30pm daily.

You can avoid delays on southbound I-5 by using alternate routes, such as Aurora to get into Seattle.

May Day protests coming to Seattle

If you have plans to be around Seattle this Monday, May 1, be aware the traffic may be a little heavier than usual. Planned marches and protests are expected to clog the streets in the downtown core, which could make driving on, or getting to, the freeways through the city more challenging.



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New SR 520 floating bridge named America’s top engineering feat

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

520 Floating Bridge video and booklet
From WSDOT

Precisely one year after opening to traffic, the new State Route 520 floating bridge on Tuesday, April 25, received one of the country’s highest engineering awards: the 2017 Grand Conceptor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

The annual award was presented the Washington State Department of Transportation during ACEC’s conference in Washington, D.C. to honor the nation’s best overall engineering achievement.

“This is an incredible honor for a remarkable project,” said Julie Meredith, Administrator of the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program for the Washington State Department of Transportation. “An amazing, collaborative group of people deserve credit for this.”

Meredith made special note of HDR, the general engineering consultant on SR 520 reconstruction program; Kiewit/General/Manson, the new floating bridge’s design-builder; and KPFF, the bridge’s lead design consultant.

The floating bridge was one of 162 projects throughout the world vying for ACEC’s top engineering award. The new bridge opened to traffic on April 25, 2016, and is the longest floating span of highway in the world, at 7,708 feet. Its predecessor on Lake Washington – opened in 1963 – measured 130 feet shorter.

“This is one of the great engineering feats of our time,” said Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar. “The new bridge is an example of how our state is working to build a resilient, world-class, multimodal transportation system that will serve generations to come.”

Lake Washington’s extreme depth and soft lakebed required the construction of a floating bridge rather than a conventional fixed bridge.

Online booklet, page 10

The new floating bridge, supported by more, bigger and stronger pontoons than the old bridge, is designed to withstand much stronger windstorms and waves. Moreover, the new bridge provides greater transportation mobility for the region, with bus/carpool lanes in both directions and a cross-lake bicycle-pedestrian path. Its design also allows it to be retrofitted for light rail if the region pursues that option in the future.

When reconstruction of the entire SR 520 corridor is complete, the bridge and connecting highway will carry about 10 percent more vehicles and 17 percent more people during peak traffic hours, while reducing rush-hour, cross-lake commutes between Seattle and Bellevue by about a half hour.

Recent past winners of ACEC’s Grand Conceptor Award are the San Francisco Air Traffic Control Tower (2016); the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge East Span (2015); Wacker Drive/Congress Parkway Reconstruction (Chicago 2014); Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, (Kansas City, 2013); Lake Borgne Storm Surge Barrier (New Orleans, 2012); and the Hoover Dam Bypass (2011).

A brief video documentary and online booklet – both posted on the new bridge’s April 25 one-year anniversary – provide more information about the structure’s design and construction. You can also follow the SR 520 project on Twitter.

Steve Peer, WSDOT communications



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Tulips are blooming - tips for getting there

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Rainbow rows of tulips 2015
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

From WSDOT

We’re about halfway through this year’s Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, and the tulips are finally here. According to the Festival, more tulips are blooming each day! With the weather on tap to be decent this weekend, this might be as good a time as any to head up to Skagit County.

Now that color is popping, expect the roads to be busy.
  • Come early, before 10am on the weekends (especially sunny ones) to avoid backup.
  • Consider SR 20 instead of the exit direction into Mount Vernon city streets.
  • SR 9 is another northbound alternate into Skagit County.
  • Remember these tulip fields are along two lane county highways and when you’re out there:
    • keep moving
    • don’t stop in the road (including parking over the white line)
    • obey the 'no parking' signs
    • don’t block driveways
    • be cautious if walking/taking pictures along the road
    • Consider stopping at a WSDOT safety rest area to use the restroom before you hit the fields.

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Bertha breakthrough in photos and drone video

Friday, April 7, 2017

Stars and Stripes for Bertha
Photo courtesy WSDOT


Bertha, the tunnel boring machine digging the tunnel for SR 99 that will replace the viaduct on the Seattle waterfront, finally made it through to the end, finishing her tunneling work Thursday.

WSDOT has a photo album here.

Tidying up after Bertha breakthrough
Photo courtesy WSDOT
You can see drone video of the breakthrough online, or other conversation on the WSDOT Facebook page. Now that the tunneling machine has chewed the future SR 99 tunnel, crews will spend the next several days removing steel support braces then drive her into the open area to be cut into pieces for removal.

The new SR 99 tunnel is scheduled to open in early 2019. The double decker highway will have two lanes in each direction as well as an 8 foot safety shoulder.


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$136 to the state if you still have studded tires on your car

Sunday, April 2, 2017

All studded tires are to be off vehicles now
The Washington State Department of Transportation reminds drivers that state law requires all studded tires were to be removed by the end of the day March 31.

Starting April 1, drivers with studded tires face a $136 traffic infraction.

Studded tires also damage pavement, so removing them promptly after winter has passed helps preserve state roadways.



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Expect major back ups on southbound I-5 this weekend

Friday, March 24, 2017

The southbound I-5 express lanes will not open for the morning commute on Saturday or Sunday. The express lanes will open northbound at 1:30pm each day.

During the closures, WSDOT will work with the city of Seattle to clean up trash and debris along the interstate.


WSDOT crews will also use the closure to fill potholes, perform electrical work and complete various other maintenance tasks.

Southbound I-5 backups will start around 8am and continue through the evening hours on both Saturday and Sunday. Prepare for slowdowns to begin as far back as Snohomish County.



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Southbound I-5 express lanes Saturday and Sunday

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

WSDOT maintenance crews will keep the southbound I-5 express lanes closed on both Saturday and Sunday so City of Seattle crews and contractors can clean up trash and debris along the interstate from people camping.

The express lanes will open in the northbound direction at 1:30pm each day.



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