Date:
Monday, March 26, 2007
Contact:
Jamie Holter, 206-440-4472
SEATTLE - “More projects, more construction, moving more drivers everywhere,” said Washington Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald. “Today we kick off WSDOT’s biggest construction season in history.”
Thanks, in part, to the 2003 and 2005 legislative funding packages, WSDOT has nearly 400 projects under construction in 2007 throughout the greater Puget Sound Region.
Two years ago, WSDOT’s signature construction project was on I-5 through downtown Seattle. Last year, WSDOT construction hit the suburbs. This year, WSDOT is simply everywhere.
“Our construction is everywhere because drivers are everywhere. They are commuting from Snohomish and Tacoma, shipping produce from Eastern Washington, skiing and camping in the Cascades, vacationing in Canada. We are delivering projects that will relieve bottlenecks and chokepoints, improve traffic flow and increase safety for drivers,” said MacDonald.
Today, at the Safeco Field parking decks in clear view of this summer’s highest-profile work on I-5, MacDonald delivered a quick peek at some of WSDOT’s larger construction projects.
In the downtown Seattle area drivers will see orange as WSDOT
- replaces expansion joints on I-5 between Spokane Street and I-90
On the Eastside, we will
- add lanes to I-405 in Kirkland, South Bellevue and Renton
- build a flyover ramp from westbound SR 202 to westbound SR 520
- lay down quieter pavement on SR 520
In the South Sound, we will
- add HOV lanes on I-5 through downtown Tacoma
- complete the HOV lanes between Federal Way and the Pierce County line
- open the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge
In Snohomish County, we will
- Build two park and ride connection and transit stations
- Add lanes to SR 9 near Bothell
- Continue to widen I-5 through Everett
- Perform critical rehabilitation work on the Hewitt Avenue Trestle
In the Cascade passes, we will
- Repave four miles of I-90 and six I-90 interchanges just east of Snoqualmie Pass
- Repave eight miles of US 2 just west of Stevens Pass
- Work with the National Park Service to repair SR 410 near Mt. Rainier
- Stabilize slopes on US 12 east of White Pass
At the US/Canada border, we will
- Improve access to the new customs facilities at the Peace Arch crossing
- Build an additional truck lane at the truck crossing in Blaine
- Build new lanes on the Guide Meridian, north of Bellingham
“With a growing population and the economy picking up to pre-recession levels, there are more daily trips on our roads. We must continue to move forward with projects and look at other innovative ways to make our roads work better for drivers,” said MacDonald.
WSDOT traffic engineers have several key projects on the to-do list as well. They will:
- analyze the operation of the express lanes
- verify signal timing on dozens of key arterials
- quantify the effectiveness of ramp metering
- add traffic cameras to SR 9
“We will continue to be at the forefront of traffic flow management,” said MacDonald.
Not only are we delivering projects to improve traffic flow and make the roads safer, WSDOT is working hard with contractors to do this work with the least amount of disruption to drivers.
“With all our construction this year, it will be absolutely critical that drivers know before they go,” said WSDOT Regional Administrator, Lorena Eng.
The men and women who maintain and improve Washington's more than 7,000 miles of state highway ask you to slow down and pay extra attention to road construction signs this summer. Traffic fines double in work zones and can not be reduced, suspended or waived. Speeding or inattentive drivers in work zones could face speeding fines of up to $700 and a 60-day license suspension. Extra signs will be out this summer to warn you to slow down and Give 'em a Brake in work zones.
Did you know most people injured in work zones are drivers and passengers? Slow down, give the workers a brake and you could be giving yourself and your wallet a brake too.
# # #
< Back to News Home