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

Center lane of northbound I-5 in Shoreline blocked for an hour because of a pothole

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Orange cones surround a WSDOT truck in the middle of NB I-5 in Shoreline

Traffic was slowed from Northgate to Mountlake Terrace in the northbound lanes of I-5 Tuesday from about 4:30 to 6:00pm as the WSDOT Incident Response Team blocked the right-center lane of NB I-5 at SR 104 in Shoreline.

They warned drivers,

There's a pretty significant pothole that we'd like to get patched up. Our maintenance team is on the way. Expect delays to last into the evening!



Here's the culprit.


By 6pm the repair was complete and WSDOT sounded the all clear.

At 6:12pm A collision partially blocked the I-5 northbound on-ramp from NE 145th St.

It was a good day to work from home.



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WSDOT update on headquarters renovation and tree removals

Wednesday, September 16, 2020



Northwest Region - Dayton Ave Regional Headquarters renovation update with the latest information about the project to remodel their headquarters.

Landscaping maintenance work

On Wednesday, September 16, 2020 WSDOT will be removing two trees and limbing branches around the main headquarters building. These tree removals are necessary for painting and making external improvements to the regional headquarters (RHQ). 

These are WSDOT-owned trees that are located next to the facility. This work is not related to the right of way. Neighbors and local businesses may notice lifts, saws and noise throughout the day. Sidewalks around the RHQ will be closed as crews complete this work and while they replace windows and make other energy-efficient changes to the building's exterior envelope.

Community meeting

On August 25, 2020 WSDOT representatives held a meeting with representatives from Save Shoreline Trees and the city of Shoreline to discuss the status of required right of way improvements.

Since this presentation, WSDOT and Shoreline officials are continuing their discussions. Over the past year, both agencies have worked collaboratively to significantly reduce the number of impacted trees.

Below is a table outlining the trees that may be still need to be removed based on the current right of way proposals. 


The Northwest Region - Dayton Ave RHQ Renovation is a $46.5 million state-funded, full modernization of the regional headquarters building that began in 2019. The facility was constructed in 1974, and serves as the primary hub for coordinating WSDOT’s transportation, maintenance, construction and administrative activities across King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties.

If you have any questions or concerns about this project, contact us at NWDaytonRemodel@wsdot.wa.gov­



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Update on Dayton Ave trees

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Tall evergreens line the street on Dayton Ave N, bordering the WSDOT headquarters


By Jamie Holter

For several months, there has been a back-and-forth discussion about the 104 trees slated to be cut as part of the Washington State Department of Transportation building remodel on Dayton Avenue North, just east of Shoreline Community College.

The City-permitted remodel requires WSDOT to build out sidewalks (and also drainage) on Dayton Avenue North, 160th Street and 155th Street. The challenge has been how to meet the requirements of the permit and limit the number of trees cut. The Save our Trees group has been very active in their effort to save as many of the 104 trees as possible. WSDOT, as well, wants to preserve as many trees as possible at the Regional Headquarters.

The news is that the two sides are very close to an agreement that could change the type of sidewalk – away from the traditional concrete sidewalk on Dayton - to a boardwalk-style walkway to preserve the root systems and therefore reduce the number of trees that need to come down.

If the boardwalk concept is approved, it would reduce the number of Dayton trees removed down to 24 – five are dead already. The City, for its part, is comfortable with the boardwalk concept and confirmed it’s just a matter of details to get the project permitted and moving forward.

There are still more sidewalks to be added - 155th Street gets a five-foot sidewalk on the south side with two trees removed and 160th Street would get an eight-foot sidewalk with 30 trees removed.

There is no published timetable for construction.



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Power shutdown set for WSDOT’s regional headquarters in Shoreline

Thursday, August 27, 2020

WSDOT headquarters building in Shoreline. Photo by Jamie Holter.



Work won’t affect service to nearby residents or businesses, but people may hear generator noise Aug 29


Residents and businesses located near the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Northwest Region Headquarters may experience some additional noise this weekend.

On Saturday, August 29, 2020 Seattle City Light will temporarily shut off power to the agency’s main headquarters building and its Traffic Management Center at 15700 Dayton Ave N in Shoreline.

The outage only affects WSDOT’s campus and is required for ongoing building renovations. During the shutdown, SCL crews will switch over the facility’s main power to a new electrical system, while staff from design-builder Abbott Construction and their subcontractors help coordinate and monitor the work. Agency generators will maintain power for WSDOT’s onsite operations.

Noise details

7am to 5pm Saturday, August 29: Local residents and businesses may notice humming and buzzing sounds as generators provide temporary power to WSDOT facilities.

Electrical upgrades are part of a $46.5 million state-funded, full modernization of the regional headquarters building that began in 2019. The facility was constructed in 1974, and serves as the primary hub for coordinating WSDOT’s transportation, maintenance, construction and administrative activities across King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties. ­­­


WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at wsdot.com/traffic or by dialing 511.



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Express lanes on I-5 now close at 8pm

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Photo by T J  Guillory

By Diane Hettrick

During the protests of the last week, demonstrators often headed toward the freeway. When that happened, WSDOT would close the freeway. Sometimes it was both directions, sometimes just the express lanes. Sometimes all.

As soon as possible they would open the lanes so backed up traffic could get through.

They were sending out bulletins each time. Closed - now open - no closed - ok open. By the time I got to them, I'd have to line them up by time stamp to see if there was anything to report.

Now they have decided that the problem is the express lanes and they can solve that problem by closing the lanes at 8pm.

Here are the details:

WSDOT TRAVEL ALERT – I-5 Express Lanes

The I-5 Express Lanes will be fully closed early, at 8pm nightly, including weekends, and will reopen as usual the following mornings. This closure will remain in place until further notice.

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday
  • Southbound - 5am to 11am
  • Northbound - 11:15am to 8pm
  • Closed: 8pm to 5am
Saturday and Sunday
  • Southbound - 8am to 1:30pm
  • Northbound - 1:45pm to 8:00pm
  • Closed: 8:00pm to 8am

For more information, Puget Sound area travelers can get real-time traffic information on their phone with the WSDOT traffic app, tracking the WSDOT Traffic Twitter feed and get advanced information from the Seattle Area Construction page.




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Travel delays on I-5 Tuesday near N 145th

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Work will be done to the damaged center barrier


People traveling on Interstate 5 in Seattle and Shoreline should plan for weekday travel delays on Tuesday, May 19, while crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation make critical repairs along the freeway.

I-5 HOV lane closures at Seattle-Shoreline city limits 

WSDOT maintenance crews will repair the concrete barrier between northbound and southbound I-5 after it was damaged in a collision. To do this, they will need to access the location from the northbound and southbound HOV lanes.

Closure details
  • 5am to 3pm Tuesday, May 19.
  • Northbound and southbound I-5 HOV lanes closed near N 145th St.



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Friday is the last day to legally have studded tires on your vehicles

Friday, May 15, 2020

Friday is the last day for studded tires

The arrival of spring typically means drivers in Washington have until March 31 to remove studded tires.

However, this year the Washington State Department of Transportation twice extended the deadline to Friday, May 15, due to COVID-19 virus concerns and Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Healthy, Stay Home order to help reduce the spread of the virus by limiting social interactions.

WSDOT is not extending the May 15 deadline.

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

Other states may have different studded tire removal dates, but the Washington law applies to all drivers in the state, even visitors. No personal exemptions or waivers are issued.

The May 15 deadline means that starting at midnight on Saturday, May 16, drivers with studded tires face a $136 fine.



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Work begins on a second lane for the Edmonds Ferry ticket booths Saturday

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Photo courtesy WSDOT

To alleviate congestion and reduce State Patrol’s need to direct traffic between the holding lanes and the Edmonds Ferry ticket booths, crews will create a second lane on SR 104 for the ferry queue.
 
Maintenance crews will begin work on the highway from 6am to 3pm Saturday, May 9. 

Depending on weather, they will return on Monday, May 11 to complete asphalt repair.

Drivers will be unable to turn right from northbound SR 104 to Dayton Street until the shoulder of the road is replaced and an updated right-turn signal added, making it safer for drivers.

Work on the intersection of SR 104 and Dayton Street is expected to take two to eight months to complete.



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Ferry ticket booth workers have self-swipe sticks

Friday, April 10, 2020

Ticket seller at ferry dock
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Thanks to the Washington State Ferries' IT team, they now have a safer way for ticket sellers and customers to complete transactions. 

In just 24 hours last weekend, the IT team assembled, tested and installed new credit card readers on selfie sticks outside of ticket booth windows so customers can now self-swipe.



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WSDOT suspending construction work due to COVID-19 safety concerns

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Court mandated fish passage culvert work
will continue in the state
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Following the state Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, WSDOT suspended most state construction work and secured construction jobsites March 26. 

With the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order now extended through May 4, WSDOT will likewise continue the construction suspension and limiting maintenance work to all but essential duties through May 4.

WSDOT has been working closely with our contractor, labor and industry partners to develop COVID-19 response plans that would protect all of the people working on our projects by meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. 

Unfortunately, despite these efforts, it is not possible to meet the guidelines while maintaining construction. 
There have also been difficulties sustaining sufficient staff levels. In some cases, between 25% and 40% of a given crew was not available to work on WSDOT construction projects.

These are important projects to Washington, and we remain committed to restarting them when safe to do so to ensure the transportation system continues to support our statewide economy and economic recovery.

While most state projects will halt, work to complete fish passage culvert work will continue in order to make progress on the federal court injunction deadlines and to comply with time-sensitive fish windows for in-water work. 

Work on the design portion of design-build projects will continue although fieldwork to support design will be suspended. Some details on that work are evolving in this rapidly changing situation and WSDOT will share more details when they are available.



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State ferries to remain on winter sailing schedules through April 25 due to lower demand

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Photo by Mike Remarcke


As part of the state’s response to COVID-19, all state ferries will remain operating on their winter sailing schedules through at least April 25. 

Washington State Ferries’ spring season, which includes increased service on some routes, was originally scheduled to begin March 29.

The following service additions that were set to begin with the start of the spring sailing schedule will not occur:
  • Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: Third vessel added on weekend schedule
  • Anacortes/San Juan Islands: Interisland weekend service and addition of couple of afternoon sailings
  • Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney, British Columbia: Start of one round trip to Canada daily (suspended until at least April 26)

Previously made vehicle reservations for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route from March 29 through April 25 will be canceled. 

No new spring schedule reservations will be allowed after April 25. Customers will be notified through ferry alerts when reservations will be made available on sailings during the winter schedule extension. No-show fees for vehicle reservations are waived until further notice.




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WSDOT temporarily suspends free coffee program at statewide safety rest areas

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Rest stops remain open - but no coffee
Google maps
As state and national efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 continue, the Washington State Department of Transportation is temporarily suspending the Free Coffee Volunteer Program at safety rest areas, beginning Monday, March 16, until further notice. 

Statewide, 37 of 47 safety rest areas offer the Free Coffee Program. This is a continuation of efforts to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing, minimizing touch points and limiting close personal contact.

Visitors to the Evergreen State have been receiving free coffee via the popular volunteer-run stations for more than 20 years. The program benefits drivers and allows groups to collect donations for nonprofits.

It is important to note, that all of the state’s 47 rest areas remain open. WSDOT has implemented additional precautions to disinfect rest areas including more frequent cleaning of touch points, and refilling of soap and hand sanitizer.


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Chilly Hilly Ride will bring thousands of bicyclists to Seattle/Bainbridge ferry Sunday, Feb. 23

Friday, February 21, 2020

It's just a hill - get over it!
The Chilly Hilly bicycle ride

If you’re using the Seattle/Bainbridge ferry on Sunday, February 23, 2020 plan for delays and limited vehicle capacity as more than 2,000 bicyclists head to the island for the annual Chilly Hilly ride. 

Bicycles on ferry headed to Chilly Hilly climb
Photo courtesy WSDO
Expect a lot of bikes on the 7:55, 8:55 and 9:35am sailings out of Seattle, then on all Bainbridge departures between the 11:35am and 3pm sailings. 

Drivers should consider alternate travel times or routes. 

Cascade Bicycle Club volunteers will be at the terminals and on the vessels to provide information for participants.



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Rally for the Trees this Friday and Saturday in Shoreline

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Trees on Dayton that would be removed
Photo by Jamie Holter
Residents of Shoreline are asking the City to amend its plans to remove more than 133 significant trees on Dayton Avenue North, N 155th St and N 160th St that are in the way of development.

The trees are slated for removal to make way for a redesigned, environmentally friendly Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) building that will also house the Department of Ecology, and for Right-of-Way (ROW) improvements by the City on the affected streets.

The ROW improvements include eight-foot-wide sidewalks, a five-foot amenity strip (for utilities and signage) and curbs. 

Representatives of the City and WSDOT attended a community meeting January 28 to discuss their plans.

The Save Shoreline Trees group reiterated that sidewalks can meander around trees and be composed of asphalt or gravel, both more environmentally friendly to tree roots than concrete. These materials are also ADA accessible, as is a three-foot rather than an eight-foot sidewalk.

Ronald Bog Park and Richmond Beach Saltwater Park in Shoreline have ADA-accessible gravel paths.

The City has received more than 300 emails, letters and postcards stating community concern for the trees. Some mentioned the irony of redesigning an environmentally friendly LEED building by the State, but an environmentally unfriendly removal of trees by the City. 

Because of public comment, the City has asked WSDOT to redo its designs and provide another arborist report for street improvements. Both the City and the State own land (and trees) in the affected areas.

To keep visibility on the trees, rallies will be held Friday, February 7, 2020 at 4pm. and Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 12 noon, along Dayton Avenue North, between N 155th St and N 160th St. 

Students at area middle schools and high schools have been invited to attend. Participants will hold signs alerting the public to the imminent removal of the 70- to 100-year-old trees: Douglas fir, Western white pines, and Western red cedars.

“Once these trees are gone, they are gone forever.” 

Email for more information



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Spring reservations for ferries to San Juans, BC, and Port Townsend Feb 5

Thursday, January 30, 2020

The first round of vehicle reservations for the spring ferry schedule (March 29 through June 20) on Anacortes/San Juan Islands/Sidney, British Columbia and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes will now be available starting at 7am Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
Don’t plan quite that far ahead? Don’t worry! 

While the first tier opens on Wednesday, the second tier of reservations opens two weeks before each specific sailing and the final 30% of space on each sailing becomes available two days before.



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Save Shoreline Trees community meeting with City Planner and WSDOT rep Tuesday

Saturday, January 25, 2020

130 trees would be cut
Photo by Jamie Holter


Community Meeting Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 7pm
Highland Terrace Elementary School library, 100 N 160th St, Shoreline 98133. 

Help Save the Tall Trees on Dayton Ave N and N 160th

7:10pm: Update: Caleb Miller, City Project Manager; and Christopher Linden, WSDOT

8:00pm: How you can help!

Once these trees are gone, they are gone forever.

Save Shoreline Trees



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The Viaduct is gone

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

The viaduct is gone
Photo from WSDOT


On Monday, September 23, 2019, WSDOT’s contractor Kiewit finished demolishing the last columns of the Alaskan Way Viaduct at Marion Street.

The double-deck portion of the remaining roadway at Marion came down late Saturday – leaving the waterfront clear of the viaduct between Pike Place Market and South Dearborn Street.

Only cleanup and a small section of demolition near the BNSF railroad tracks north of Pike Place Market remains.

WSDOT is marking this milestone by releasing a video that captures the tremendous effort involved in demolishing the viaduct and the extraordinary transformation of Seattle's waterfront now underway.

Here’s a link to the video
Here’s a link to the latest WSDOT web post with more information.



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Prepare now for November tolling on SR 99 tunnel

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

SR 99 tunnel
Photo courtesy WSDOT
Drivers using the State Route 99 tunnel will begin paying tolls on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

State law requires that toll revenues from the SR 99 tunnel be used to pay back construction bonds as well as pay to operate and maintain the nation’s largest double-decked road tunnel. 

The two-mile-long SR 99 tunnel runs underneath downtown Seattle and opened in February 2019.

“While the SR 99 tunnel has been a great success, we expect traffic patterns in Seattle will shift when tolling starts,” said Patty Rubstello, WSDOT assistant secretary of Urban Mobility and Access. 
“We are giving as much advance notice as possible to allow drivers plenty of time to get ready, which includes opening up a Good To Go! account.”

A Good To Go! pass gives SR 99 tunnel drivers the lowest toll rates possible - from $1 to $2.25, depending on the time of day. Without a Good To Go!account, those same tolls will cost $2 more for each trip.

The Washington State Transportation Commission set the time-of-day toll rates for the SR 99 tunnel in 2018, after years of study and community involvement.

There are a limited number of free Good To Go! sticker-passes available for SR 99 tunnel users. The best way to get a pass is online at 99tunnel.com. All existing Good To Go! passes will work in the SR 99 tunnel.

Passes can also be purchased at MyGoodToGo.com, select Fred Meyer and QFC locations and at walk-in customer service centers. The Good To Go! call center, 866-936-8246 can help customers, however, anticipate longer than usual wait times for those calling.

WSDOT and SDOT encourage travelers to use the WSDOT tools available to ‘know before you go’ and to use SDOT’s traffic page, which contains useful traffic links locally and regionally.



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Paint map August 16-19, 2019 - another busy weekend on the roads

Friday, August 16, 2019



I-5 Lynnwood lane reductions
  • Contractor crews working for Sound Transit will reduce southbound I-5 to two lanes between 44th Ave W and 220th St SW beginning at 9pm Friday, Aug. 16. All lanes will reopen by 9am Saturday, Aug. 17.
  • 44th Ave W on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close from 10pm to 7am.
  • 220th Ave SW on-ramp to southbound I-5 will close from 9pm to 7am.

I-5 Ship Canal Bridge lane reductions
  • Maintenance crews will reduce southbound I-5 on the Ship Canal Bridge to two lanes from 10pm to 9am nightly on Friday, Aug. 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17.
  • The NE 45th St on-ramp to southbound I-5 will be closed with a signed detour.

Northbound I-405 full closure in downtown Bellevue
  • Sound Transit contractor crews will close the following from 10pm Friday, Aug. 16, to 11:59pm Saturday, Aug. 17:
    • The northbound I-405 off-ramp to NE 4th St
    • The NE 4th St on-ramp to northbound I-405
  • Sound Transit contractor crews will close the following from 11:59pm Saturday, Aug. 17, to 5am Monday, Aug. 19:
    • Northbound I-405 between Main St and NE 10th St
    • The northbound I-405 HOV off-ramp and the southbound HOV on-ramp to and from NE 6th St
    • The NE 4th St on-ramp to northbound I-405

SR 99 Aurora Bridge lane reductions
  • Lane reductions on the SR 99 Aurora bridge scheduled from 8pm Friday, Aug. 16, to 5am Monday, Aug. 19. This work is weather-dependent.

Southbound SR 99 tunnel closed
  • All lanes of the southbound SR 99 tunnel will close from 10pm Friday, Aug. 16, to 8am Saturday, Aug. 17, for maintenance.

Eastbound I-90 Floating Bridge closed
  • All lanes of eastbound I-90 will close between I-5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island from 10pm Saturday, Aug. 17, to 5am Sunday, Aug. 18, for maintenance.

I-90 Snoqualmie Pass
  • Construction and maintenance work is taking place on I-90 this summer between North Bend and Vantage, which could add extra time to your travels. Know before you go by planning your trip in advance.


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Update: SR 99 Aurora bridge lane reductions Aug 9-12 and 16-19

Monday, August 5, 2019

Lane work on Aurora Bridge
Photo courtesy WSDOT

POSTPONED: The work scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, is postponed due to rain in the forecast. The next weekend of work now will be Aug. 17-18.

For the next two weekends, WSDOT will reduce the SR 99 Aurora bridge to one lane in each direction for paving. Work on both weekends is weather-dependent.

Lane reductions will be from 7pm Friday, August 9 to 5am Monday, August 12, and will be the same the following weekend, August 16 to August 19.

The on-ramp to southbound SR 99 from Fremont also will close at 7pm, along with the off-ramp from southbound SR 99 to Raye Street.

People should expect heavy traffic on SR 99 as well as in the Wallingford, Queen Anne, Fremont and Ballard neighborhoods. Plan ahead and, if you can, try alternatives like walking, bicycling or transit.



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