Date:
Monday, October 01, 2007
Contact:
Lisa Murdock, WSDOT Communications, (360) 357-2789
TACOMA – WSDOT planned for the worst-case scenario. But drivers who cross the Narrows are finding things couldn’t be better. Thanks to the overwhelmingly smooth operations of the Tacoma Narrows bridges, WSDOT announced today it will stop the stand-by tow program.
After a three-month operation, WSDOT decided the stand-by tow program is not necessary at this time because traffic flow between Gig Harbor and Tacoma is better than ever since the opening of the new Narrows Bridge. The towing contract was one of the tools WSDOT used to gear up for the bridge opening.
“We planned enhancements that would help drivers learning to adjust to a new bridge, new lane configurations, and tolling process,” said Kevin Dayton, Olympic Region Administrator. “We wanted to be ready and we were. The plans we made are paying off and now we are scaling back to a more standard operation.”
WSDOT still has not activated ramp meters in the SR 16 corridor because traffic has not required it. WSDOT has been monitoring the traffic, knowing volumes generally pick up in September when schools return to session. But so far, the only delays on the corridor have occurred near the Nalley Valley Viaduct where traffic some times backs up while trying to merge with slower I-5 traffic.
“Next spring, with the completion of the I-5 48th Street to Pacific Avenue project - which eases SR 16 to northbound I-5 traffic - operations on the east end of SR 16 will improve,” said Steve Kim, region traffic engineer. “We will continue to monitor SR 16 traffic during heavy commute times so we can be ready to activate the meters when needed.”
WSDOT thanks all six of the towing companies that participated in the program:
Automotive Transport
Bayview Towing
Bill’s Towing
Gene’s Towing
Liberty Towing
Town & Country Towing
“We appreciate the partnership built with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the towing companies,” Dayton said. “WSDOT sees value in this kind of operational partnership and will consider using this type of tool in the area if conditions change.”
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