Date:
Friday, July 20, 2007
Contact:
Jamie Holter, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4472 (Seattle)
New this week
I-5, Downtown Tacoma
Contractor crews will shift traffic on I-5 through Tacoma this weekend. Drivers will likely be thrilled to see the temporary S-curves and reduced speed limits gone. The road will be back to its normal configuration. We expect backups while the switch occurs overnight. Watch for another set of traffic switches next weekend (July 28-29) www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/piercecountyHOV/I5_HOV_S48th_Pacific/
I-5, Downtown Seattle
WSDOT crews will work on the I-5 Ship Canal bridge this weekend (July 21 and 22) from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. The work is noisy and crews will close up to two lanes at a time.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/
SR 520/I-405 Bellevue
The Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair runs July 27 through 29. Expect increased traffic on SR 520 and I-405 in Bellevue. www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/
I-405, S. Bellevue
Drivers will see dramatically increased construction activity on I-405 near 112th Ave. SE and Coal Creek Pkwy over the next two weeks as crews prepare to widen I-405 and build a new bridge in the area. www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/112thAvetoSE8th/
I-405, Kirkland
Contractor crews will close two northbound lanes between NE 85th and NE 116th streets around the clock from 5 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Sunday (July 21 and 22). Three lanes will remain open to traffic. WSDOT traffic engineers predict lengthy northbound backups, with the worst congestion between noon and 7 p.m. www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/KirklandNickelStage1/
SR 202, bus traffic
Microsoft holds its annual picnic July 21, 22 and 28. Drivers can expect up to 50 buses traveling on SR 202 between Redmond and Fall City each day.
I-90 to SR 18
Contractor crews are ready to open the newly widened I-90 / SR 18 interchange next week. Watch for new permanent signals and extra lanes on the off-ramps. www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/SR18_Eramps/
SR 20, Oak Harbor
WSDOT will dig into two hills that rise and fall along State Route 20 south of Oak Harbor to flatten the highway and improve visibility for drivers. The hills have been the site of numerous collisions. Crews will start digging Sunday, July 29 and will work around the clock for two weeks, from 5 p.m. Sundays to 4 p.m. Fridays.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR20/SidneyStreetToScenicHeights.
Obey the law!
The grace period for non-toll paying users of the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge ends July 22. After that, WSP troopers can issue tickets. Get information on the Good To Go! toll transponders at www.wsdot.wa.gov/goodtogo/
Starting August 1, WSP troopers will enforce the new HOV lanes on I-5 between S. 320th St. and the Pierce County line. The ticket for HOV violations is $124. www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i5/hovPiercetoTukwila/I5HOV_Pierce_S320th/
Work continues this week
SR 542, Artist Point
WSDOT aims to open Artist Point by the end of the month - www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/Baker/
Wrapping up
SR 202, Fall City to North Bend
SR 202 has a shiny new black top, and drivers have a safer, smoother ride from Fall City to North Bend. Crews paved 4.5 miles of SR 202, resurfaced three bridges, installed centerline rumble strips and guardrails to increase safety for drivers. All of the improvements spanned eight miles of SR 202 and was completed six days ahead of schedule. www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR202/SR203NorthBendWay/
SR 104, Edmonds
Contractor crews have finished paving SR 104 between SR 99 and 190th St. Crews will be on the road installing signs and striping the pavement in the coming weeks.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR104/244thTo190thPaving
SR 99, Everett
Contractor crews have finished paving 2.3 miles of SR 99 in Everett between 112th St. and I-5. They will spend the next several weeks installing better guardrail and more pedestrian-friendly sidewalks. Final striping takes place in a few weeks when the pavement is completely set. www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR99/112thStPaving
SR 9 / SR 538 East of Mt. Vernon
Crews expect to open the new roundabout at this junction on Thursday, July 26.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR9/SR538IntersectionImprovements/
What’s next?
I-90, Downtown Seattle
The Blue Angels are coming town and that means crews will close I-90 several times during the day Aug. 2 – 5. During the I-90 closures, SR 520 will NOT open for marine traffic. www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/bridges/i90/I-90.htm
I-5, downtown Seattle
The clock is ticking on major I-5 construction in downtown Seattle. WSDOT contractors will close multiple lanes on northbound I-5 between I-90 and Spokane Street around the clock between August 10 – 29. Crews have already begun preconstruction efforts. WSDOT is asking drivers to start preparing now: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SpokaneStreetBridgeRepair/
What can drivers do?
We may sound like a broken record, but it is important that we remind drivers that there are many ways for them to get information and avoid traffic delays. Drivers should plan ahead, check our real-time traffic map and pay attention to the signs along the way. If you can, consider alternate routes or adjusting your driving schedule to avoid the worst traffic.
Know before you go: visit WSDOT’s Web site
WSDOT offers several ways to get up-to-date traffic and construction information from our Web site at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ before you leave your home or office:
- Traffic map - The color-coded map shows where traffic is heavy and light so you can alter your commute accordingly
- Travel times - Real-time point-to-point travel times
- Traffic cameras - take a look at traffic conditions on a growing number of highway locations throughout the Puget Sound region
- E-mail alerts - Sign up for one of several e-mail alert lists. You’ll get advance notice of upcoming construction closures delivered right to your inbox
- Construction update report - comprehensive, seven-day advance listing of lane, ramp and road closures
- Project pages -Find your highway and see the long and short-term construction plans
Know on the road
- 511 - This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information
- Overhead and roadside electronic signs - Emergency and incident alerts and, in some Seattle-area locations during rush hours, point-to-point travel times
- Highway advisory radio - Yellow signs with flashing lights alert drivers to tune into radio frequencies airing construction updates
- Work zones - watch for construction zone signs, barrels, barriers and cones. Slow down and stay alert when driving through construction zones, not just for the construction workers, but also for you and your passengers. Far more motorists are injured in work zone collisions than construction workers.
WSDOT and our contractors are doing our part to stay out of your way and keep traffic moving. We do most of our work at night or on weekends when there are fewer drivers on the highway. We make every effort to limit lane closures and only close lanes when we absolutely have to. We also strive to get in, complete our work quickly, and get out, giving the roads back to drivers as quickly as possible.
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