Date:
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Contact:
Jeff Adamson, North Central Region Communications Manager, Wenatchee, (509) 667-2815, (509) 669-8778 Cell. E-mail: adamsoj@wsdot.wa.gov
WENATCHEE– The newest addition to the traffic camera images available on the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) web site is located on the summit of Stevens Pass. While an east view of US 2 at the summit has been available for nearly a decade, the new camera provides a view to the west. The Stevens Pass web page has been modified so visitors can click under the camera image to view either the east or west picture which update every 5 minutes.
Included in the new west view is the entrance to Stevens Pass Ski Area parking. The ski area took a picture from their lodge and encouraged WSDOT to consider adding another camera. The entire installation cost approximately $10,000, far less than a typical traffic camera installation. Stevens Pass Ski area allowed installation of the camera on the lodge building (at no cost), agreed to provide the electricity for its operation and assisted in the construction.
The traffic cameras at the Stevens Pass summit assist WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol to operate the roadway most efficiently by allowing wintertime traffic volume monitoring, particularly the conflicts between pedestrians, ski area traffic and through traffic. Funding for projects to construct a pedestrian overpass or tunnel as well as turning lanes for ski area parking areas is now being actively pursued.
The new Stevens Pass Summit West camera becomes the 22nd traffic camera operated by the WSDOT North Central Region. www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/stevens/
Among the region cameras are two more at mountain pass summits, US 97 Blewett Pass and SR 20 Loup Loup Pass.
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