Date:
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Contact:
Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080 (Olympia)
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, (509) 577-1617 (Yakima)
OLYMPIA – WSDOT advises travelers to plan, check, prepare, and repeat for Labor Day weekend. Traffic managers say 2006 winter storm leftovers have more drivers heading to I-90 and US 2 for Labor Day.
“Enjoy your holiday,” said WSDOT Interim Secretary Paula Hammond. “We think you may enjoy it even more if you plan ahead, check your route, prepare for possible delays and then repeat that process before you head home.”
“We could set a record on Labor Day,” said WSDOT Traffic Engineer Ted Trepanier. “I-5 in Seattle is open, but US 12 is down to one-lane alternating traffic just west of White Pass and SR 123 is closed due to a washout. This takes away some east-west options.” Trepanier noted drivers can access the Mt. Rainier National Park from the south via US 12.
Drivers heading out for the last summer weekend could see long delays on I-90 and US 2 mountain pass highways during peak travel times Friday and Monday. The best times to travel are before noon Friday and before 10 a.m. or after 10 p.m. Monday.
WSDOT has seen an unusual increase in traffic over I-90 Snoqualmie Pass in August. Sunday afternoon I-90 backups have averaged 10-20 miles near the summit, with no reported collisions. A collision could add miles and time. WSDOT traffic engineers believe the washout of SR 123 over Cayuse Pass and the boulder-removal work on US 12, combined with lower gas prices and the downtown Seattle I-5 work have led more drivers to I-90.
“Please plan ahead, check the website and travel outside peak hours,” Trepanier said. “We will have additional Incident Response Teams out and be working with the Washington State Patrol. But we need drivers’ help to keep delays to a minimum.”
Drivers on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass and US 2 over Stevens Pass can expect higher-than-normal traffic volumes Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and Monday afternoon.
Concerts scheduled for the Gorge Amphitheater could add more than 20,000 drivers to I-90 and US 2. Concerts are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Most sections of I-5 experience traffic increases Friday afternoon and most of the day Monday. Historically traffic builds both directions on I-5 south of Thurston County and into Lewis County between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday.
Know before you go: visit WSDOT’s Web site. WSDOT offers several ways to get construction and traffic information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov
Traffic map - The color-coded map shows where traffic is heavy and light so you can alter your commute accordingly
Travel Alerts and Slowdowns: Real-time roadway construction and collision information
Mountain pass conditions: Camera vies and travel data from mountain pass highways
Know on the road: call 5-1-1. The statewide 5-1-1 driver information line is generated by traffic data sensors embedded in the roadway. With just a push of a button, or the sound of your voice, drivers can get current highway traffic and incident information.
Also, look for:
WiFi hot spots at Washington rest areas: Drivers traveling with their laptops can access traveler information on WSDOT’s web site at 28 of Washington’s 42 rest areas. Access to WSDOT’s web site is free and other sites can be accessed for a small fee.
Overhead electronic signs: These direct and alert drivers on the road.
Highway advisory radio: Yellow signs with flashing lights alert drivers to tune into radio frequencies airing construction updates and other roadway information.
IRT: WSDOT’s Incident Response Team (IRT) will be ready to assist motorists on major highways and mountain passes, searching for stranded motorists, and responding to incidents blocking roadways. IRT is on-call 24 hours a day and will help motorists with flat tires, dead batteries, overheated engines and other services to keep traffic moving on the road. There will be additional IRT coverage on the weekend and Monday, the Labor Day holiday.
Workers will move off the highway from Friday, Aug. 31 until noon Tuesday morning, Sept. 4. Although there may not be any active construction, drivers should be prepared for shifted lanes, roadway detours and reduced speed zones in places.
The following are areas where motorists may encounter delays over the holiday weekend:
Mountain Passes
I-90/Snoqualmie Pass: Holiday travelers using Snoqualmie Pass will see heavier traffic all weekend, especially eastbound Friday and westbound Monday. Paving project underway in sections from Cabin Creek interchange to the top of Easton Hill. All lanes will be open Labor Day weekend, but drivers may encounter sections of rough/milled pavement.
SR 123 Cayuse: SR 123 is closed between the Cayuse Pass summit at the SR 410 junction and Stevens Canyon Road. This section of SR 123 will likely not open this year due to extensive storm damage. The outlook for reopening SR 123 on the south side of Cayuse Pass is bleak. Extensive damage from last November’s storms completely washed out a large section of SR 123 five miles south of the Cayuse Pass summit.
Northwest Washington/Puget Sound area:
Historically traffic builds both directions on I-5 south of Thurston County and into Lewis County from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. As they lead to typical Labor Day vacation spots, Western Washington coastal highways may experience heavier traffic.
Travel on Puget Sound highways will increase Thursday, with peak travel times from noon to 9 p.m. Friday and early Saturday. Monday afternoon travel back into the Puget Sound area will peak just before noon and continue into late evening hours.
SR 542 - Mount Baker Highway will be reduced to one lane at the Boulder Creek Bridge (mp 28.34). A temporary signal will alternate traffic through the work zone while crews replace the Boulder Creek Bridge with a wider and taller bridge: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR542/BoulderCreekBridgeReplacement/
Eastern Washington:
Most construction work will be suspended by noon on Friday through Monday. Drivers should be alert for grooved pavement on US 195 south of Spokane and on SR 270 between Pullman and Moscow.
Southwest Washington:
Klickitat County/US 97, both directions at the Biggs Rapids-Sam Hill Bridge: A speed limit reduction and weight restriction effective March 26, 2006 was implemented to slow deterioration of the bridge deck until the deck replacement project begins in late 2007. The speed limit has been changed from 50 mph to 40 mph, and the weight restrictions will limit the use of the bridge to vehicles weighing less than 40 tons, and a maximum of 8.5 tons per axle. There are several detours available using the US 197 Dalles Bridge via I-84, State Route 14 or the I-82 Columbia River Bridge for eastbound traffic. Advance warning signs are in place. For more information, visit the project Web page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US97/BiggsBridge/
Lewis County/US 12, White Pass Vicinity - Slope Stabilization: Traffic reduced to one lane, alternating directions with flaggers directing motorists safely through the work zone on US 12 between the White Pass summit and SR 123 junction. Visit the Project Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US12/WhitePassSlopeStabilization/.
Public Transportation and Passenger Rail contact: Tonia Buell (360) 705-7439
Trains
Amtrak Cascades trains frequently sell out on holiday weekends. Be sure to purchase your tickets well in advance and arrive early at the station for your departure. For more information, visit www.AmtrakCascades.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Buses
Many public transit systems will follow a holiday schedule and will not operate fixed route or Dial-A-Ride service on Labor Day. Please contact your local transit agency for routes and schedules.
Washington State Ferries contact: Jayne Davis (206) 423-3375
Washington State Ferries asks that travelers allow for extra time over the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend. The heaviest backups and overloading are anticipated 3:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, August 31, on westbound routes. Return traffic is anticipated to be heaviest Sunday, September 2, afternoon and evening and morning sailings on Labor Day, September 3, as people return early to prepare their children to return to school.
Waits and advance arrival recommendations vary by route. Travelers needing specific information can call the Washington State Ferries Information line at 1-888-808-7977 or check the web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
WSDOT Aviation contact: Nisha Marvel, (360) 651-6310
The 16 state-operated airports are currently open for the season. To check the status of state-operated airports, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/airports/Amenities.htm or call 1-800-552-0666. WSDOT Aviation encourages pilots to check with their local Flight Service Station for current Notices to Airmen and temporary flight restriction status before each flight. To contact the Flight Service Station, please call 1-800-WX-BRIEF. Temporary flight restriction information is available at: airspace.nifc.gov/mapping/nifc/index.cfm
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