http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/ Copyright WSDOT 2006. All rights reserved. Washington State Department of Transportation Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:15:01 GMT 15 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Public/images/nav/wsdot2g4.gif http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/ Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:09:45 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/02_101_SimpsonAveBrg.htm Beginning in February, US 101 traffic in Grays Harbor will be detoured for a 10-week closure of the Simpson Avenue Bridge. Tue, 01 Jan 2008 07:57:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/31_SR96OpenForNewYear.htm Less than one month after historic rains destroyed a section of State Route 96 (Seattle Hill Road) near Snohomish, crews have reopened the road to traffic. Late this afternoon, crews finished paving the roadway and removed the barriers that have kept drivers out since Dec. 3. Sat, 29 Dec 2007 06:45:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/28_I90hardworkingcrews.htm Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Washington State Patrol (WSP) crews have worked hundreds of hours of overtime already this season to keep I-90 Snoqualmie Pass in a safe driving condition and to enforce the restrictions that prevent ill-equipped vehicles and impaired drivers from causing collisions and delays. Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:52:04 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/27_ValiantEffortbyWSDOTBridgeCrew.htm CHEHALIS – Forty men used little more than their hands and some basic tools to erect a 180-foot bridge in six days. Fri, 28 Dec 2007 06:34:37 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/27_SR6Closure.htm CHEHALIS – Currently closed section of State Route 6 will reopen on a limited basis during daylight hours starting Saturday morning, December 29, announced the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:18:28 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/26_TextMessagingLaw.htm The Washington State Patrol plans to vigorously enforce the state’s new law against sending text messages while driving, once that law takes effect on Jan. 1. Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:58:45 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/26_SR504CloseforSnow.htm CASTLE ROCK – The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) closed State Route 504 (Spirit Lake Highway) today, December 26, starting by the Cow Creek, at mile post 28, Mount St. Helens due to heavy snowfall over the last 24 hours. Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:51:39 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/26_SR14RampClosures.htm VANCOUVER – Motorists traveling westbound on State Route 14 in Vancouver can expect a closure of Exit 3, Evergreen Boulevard, starting at and around 8 a.m., lasting until 3 p.m., on December 27. Tue, 25 Dec 2007 02:15:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/24_I405CulvertRepair.htm Not wanting to take any chances, WSDOT contractor, Tri-State Construction, worked non-stop over the weekend to complete all three runs of pipe in the new emergency pumping system to protect I-405 from a heavy rainstorm. WSDOT now has two pumping systems comprised of three pipes to the south and one pipe to the north to help drain Thunder Hills Creek and prevent the water from going under or over I-405 near Benson Road. Sun, 23 Dec 2007 09:49:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/22_I405RentonCulvert.htm WSDOT contractor, Tri-State Construction, continues to make good progress on the water diversion system on I-405 in Renton. Crews report the current north pumping system did a good job of pumping water from Thunder Hills Creek away from the roadway during the Saturday morning storm which dropped less than a half inch of rain. Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:30:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/21_I405RentonPipeRunning.htm WSDOT contractor crews report the first run of pipe is up and running adjacent to the northbound lanes of I-405 in Renton near Benson Road. “This is good news,” said Project Engineer Lisa Hodgson. “With that failed culvert under I-405, we need that pumping power and pumping capacity, especially with two storms coming in this weekend.” Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:01:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/seattleport-townsend-passenger-only-shuttle-will-end-service-jan.htm Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:54:25 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/20_holidaytraveladvice.htm OLYMPIA – Checking the WSDOT website and knowing the weather conditions on your route could allow drivers more time to spend with friends and family this holiday season. Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:49:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/20_I405PumpsWorkThroughWeekend.htm WSDOT contractor crews are making good progress on installing a pump and pipe system along the northbound lanes of I-405 at Benson Road. By tonight, crews expect to have the first run of 24-inch pipe up and running 2000 feet along I-405, under Talbot Road and into the drainage system on the west side of the freeway. Fri, 21 Dec 2007 07:02:09 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/20_SR104_HCB_pontoons.htm WSDOT and Kiewit-General construction crews earlier this week guided the last underwater draw span pontoon beneath seven other new east-half Hood Canal Bridge draw span pontoons. Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:19:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/20_SeattleAreaComputer.htm As promised, WSDOT traffic engineers rescheduled testing the new traffic computer due to significant weather and emergency roadwork. Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:55:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/20_AnnualCongestionReport.htm The Puget Sound region’s economy and population continue to grow–and along with them traffic delays–according to the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Annual Congestion Report released today. Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:14:18 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/19_SR6Closure.htm CHEHALIS – State Route 6 will remain closed in Pacific and Lewis Counties from the vicinity of Elk Prairie Road (mile post 19) to the vicinity of Meyer Road (mile post 27) for several weeks, announced the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:12:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/18_ThunderHillsOnSchedule.htm Emergency repairs to the Thunder Hills Creek culvert damaged in the December 3 storm are on schedule. Crews have been working around the clock to build a 6,000-foot pipe system to divert stormwater from the creek around I-405. Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:51:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/18_EverettHOVLastGirder.htm By the end of the week, crews working for WSDOT will reach a major milestone on the Interstate 5 Everett HOV expansion: placing the final bridge girder of the project. Wed, 19 Dec 2007 01:39:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/I-90+Indian+John+Hill+Rest+Areas+Open+Both+Directions.htm Relief is now in sight WSDOT opens both I-90 Indian John Hill rest areas near Cle Elum Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:23:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/17_SR520Maintenance.htm WSDOT bridge crews and Seattle City Light restored power to the west half of the SR 520 Bridge at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Bridge crews cancelled monthly maintenance work last week due to the outage, and have rescheduled the work for Wednesday morning, Dec. 19. Tue, 18 Dec 2007 05:53:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/17_EastonBridgeReopens.htm WSDOT re-opens Easton Bridge on I-90; community thankful to have bridge back to normal Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:28:53 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/121707RIslSlope.htm The winning bid for the third phase of a Rock Slope Stabilization Project between Wenatchee and Quincy that will close SR 28 for 4 days came in way under the estimate. Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:46:48 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/17_i5longernexushours.htm The northbound I-5 NEXUS lane will stay open until midnight now at the Blaine Peace Arch border crossing into Canada. Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:07:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/16_I-405Update.htm Crews will open all lanes of northbound Interstate 405 between State Route 169 and SR 167 in Renton at 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16 for the weekday morning commute. The lanes will remain open until 10 a.m. when crews will close the right hand northbound I-405 lane. Sat, 15 Dec 2007 10:09:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/14_405RentonWorkSuspended.htm Due to an equipment breakdown, at 6 p.m. Friday, crews will stop work and reopen the northbound right lane between SR 167 and SR 169. Crews will close the lane and resume work 6 a.m. Saturday. Sat, 15 Dec 2007 07:04:20 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/14_I5EverettRampClosure.htm Crews cancelled the Dec. 15 closure on the exit ramp from northbound Interstate 5 to eastbound US 2 in Everett due to a wet weather forecast. Sat, 15 Dec 2007 03:51:32 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/14_5_DavidBallHit.htm A WSDOT worker is in satisfactory condition today following a fatal collision. Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:51:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/I-90+Westbound+Indian+John+Hill+Rest+Area+Open.htm WSDOT opens westbound I-90 Indian John Hill rest area near Cle Elum ahead of schedule Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:01:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/holiday-passenger-only-ferry-service-connects-seattle-with-port.htm Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:01:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/wsf-announces-holiday-po-service-between-pt-townsend-and-seattle.htm Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:01:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/ferry-schedule-is-easy-this-holiday-season.htm Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:50:08 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/13_EverettRampClosure.htm From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, construction crews working for WSDOT will close the exit ramp from northbound Interstate 5 to eastbound US 2 in Everett. Crews will be finishing work on a new stormwater drainage system for the ramp. Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:51:58 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/13_I-5SpeedRevision.htm CHEHALIS – Starting Friday, December 14, motorists traveling on I-5 in the vicinity of Centralia will notice the speed limit return to 60 MPH, after a brief reduction to 50 MPH in light of the flood events that took place last week, cautions Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Fri, 14 Dec 2007 05:29:11 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/13_SR96WorkBegins.htm Just a week after storms damaged a section of State Route 96 (Seattle Hill Road), work is under way to repair the roadway and reopen it to traffic. On Tuesday, Wilder Construction crews working for WSDOT began working to replace a culvert that failed during last week’s storms, washing out the ground under the roadway. Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:56:02 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/13_ferryvesselplan.htm Gov. Chris Gregoire today proposed investing $100 million in the Washington state ferry system to improve safety and increase capacity. Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:54:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/13_I405EmergencyRepair.htm Get ready. Emergency repair crews have begun prep work to repair a damaged culvert on northbound Interstate 405 through the city of Renton. Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:47:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/SR+241+in+Mabton+Gets+New+Railroad+Crossing+Gates.htm Railroad crossing gates scheduled for installation in Mabton at SR 241 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:36:07 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/12_US101ReopenFriday.htm Crews working to open US 101 along Hood Canal by Friday Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:28:56 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/I-90+Indian+John+Rest+Area+Closed.htm WSDOT closes I-90 Indian John Hill rest areas for water and sewer upgrades Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:09:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/PuyallupAirSearch.htm The air and ground search is resuming today for 78-year old Thomas Maxwell of Black Diamond, Washington, and his Piper Dakota single engine plane. Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:06:16 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/12_sr542emergencyroadrepairs.htm WSDOT will close one lane of State Route 542 east of Maple Falls by the end of the week in advance of emergency repairs to the adjacent riverbank, eroded by high water after recent storms. Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:01:33 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/12_sr530emergencyroadrepairs.htm Heavy rain last week pushed the Sauk River to near-flood levels, eroding the riverbank and moving the river to within several feet of SR 530 in two locations north of Darrington. Crews will start emergency repairs as early as Friday. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:28:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/Viaductsolution-12112007.htm Gov. Chris Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels today announced a major step forward in replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct along Seattle’s central waterfront. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:17:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/11_SR520PowerFailure.htm Seattle City Light crews shut down power on the west end of the SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge between the exit to Montlake Boulevard and the west half of the drawspan after discovering a blown fuse at the Foster Island power vault. They will restore power as soon as crews replace the blown fuse, repair a damaged splice, and inspect the power vault for further electrical flaws. The outage could last up to three days. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:36:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/11_ThunderCulvertLaneClosures.htm WSDOT engineers are working on an emergency plan to replace a failing culvert that runs underneath I-405 in Renton. If the culvert is not repaired, more rain could lead to more significant erosion and possibly undermine I-405 near Benson Road South and Main Avenue South. Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:19:29 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/10_I5LaneClosures.htm CHEHALIS – Motorists should expect a lane closure on I-5 northbound in Chehalis, between 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening, Dec 12 and 4 a.m. Thursday morning, Dec 13. The lane closure on I-5 will take place between mile post 79 and mile post 80, in the vicinity of Chamber Way. Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:50:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/10_RibbonCuttingGrapeLine.htm WSDOT held a ribbon-cutting on Dec. 10 to celebrate the Travel Washington Grape Line bus service from Walla Walla to Pasco. Travel Washington Grape Line is the initial step in establishing the Washington Intercity Rural Bus Program. The Grape Line service will operate daily and offer three scheduled round trips between Walla Walla and Pasco. Sun, 09 Dec 2007 04:31:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/08_I5_CD_opens.htm New I-5 and SR 16 connections open. Part of the 48th to Pacific project in Tacoma. Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:01:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/ongoing-inspections-of-aging-steel-electric-ferries-reveal-addit.htm Sat, 08 Dec 2007 06:47:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/07_SR16_wb_lanes_closed_again.htm Westbound TNB Lanes Closed Again Next Week Sat, 08 Dec 2007 03:48:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/07_I5_open_Chehalis.htm OLYMPIA – All travelers are back on I-5 through Chehalis at 11:45 a.m., Friday, after WSDOT crews worked around the clock for four days to reopen a 20-mile stretch of I-5 that had been under nearly ten feet of water in places. Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:04:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/07_SemisMovethroughChehalis.htm Truck drivers rolled slowly along I-5 through Chehalis Thursday night, where flooding had left 10 feet of standing water just three days before. Fri, 07 Dec 2007 09:15:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/06_5pmUpdateCrewstoOpentoTruckTraffic.htm Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:03:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/06_SR167HOVclosure.htm Southbound SR 167 HOV Lane Closed in Renton this Weekend Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:19:14 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/06_WSDOTCrewsRacetoOpenI-5.htm OLYMPIA – As floodwaters slowly recede, WSDOT crews are out in force fixing the highway surface and replacing barriers to get one lane of I-5 through Chehalis open in each direction for commercial vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight (GVW). Fri, 07 Dec 2007 01:18:57 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/6_SR16_tnbonelane.htm Westbound TNB Down to One Lane Two Nights Next Week Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:58:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/I-90+Easton+Bridge+Work+and+Detour+Continues.htm I-90 Easton Bridge Work Continues, Eastbound Lanes Occasionally Restricted Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:23:10 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/Lanes+Restricted+on+US+395+in+Tri-Cities.htm WSDOT Repairs Damaged Guardrail on US 395 Near Blue Bridge Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:54:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/5_CrewsBeginBreachingDike.htm At approximately 5 p.m. today, WSDOT crews will begin using a trackhoe to dig a trench in Airport Dike in Chehalis. Crews will gradually breach the dike and carefully monitoring water flow as they expand the size of the trench. Flood waters spilled over the dike during recent storms, flooding Interstate 5 and the surrounding area. Breaching the dike allows flood waters to more rapidly drain back to the Chehalis River, though it may still take days for flood waters to fully recede. Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:39:44 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/05_542_emergencyrepair.htm State Route 542 east of Maple Falls is in need of emergency repairs after the north fork of the Nooksack River eroded the riverbank to within 20 feet of the highway. Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:36:26 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/05_WSDOTCrewsRepairingI-5atChehalis.htm OLYMPIA – WSDOT crews have had their first look at I-5 as flood waters recede. They are seeing more than one hundred feet of pavement damage in the vicinity of the West Street overpass in Chehalis. Additionally, the base beneath that pavement is also damaged. Crews have started repairs and will be paving overnight. Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:35:30 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/05_543trucklaneopen.htm Today, WSDOT and First Gentleman Mike Gregoire, on behalf of Governor Gregoire, opened a new designated truck lane on SR 543 that improves freight mobility, and celebrated finishing construction six months ahead of schedule. Trucks Cross Border Faster with New Lane; Governor, WSDOT celebrate new lanes opening ahead of schedule Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:23:56 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/05_US10inPacificCountyReopens.htm VANCOUVER – While I-5 in Lewis County remains closed in the Chehalis area, some water has receded on US 101 in Pacific County. US Highway 101 is now open throughout Pacific County. Wed, 05 Dec 2007 22:17:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/05_4AMUpdateWatersRecede.htm Weather conditions have improved and water is receding around Western Washington, allowing WSDOT crews to clean up and reopen roads. Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:01:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/vessel-sea-trials-cancel-international-sailing-december-11.htm Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:12:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/4_CrewsAssessDamage.htm Over the past 36 hours, WSDOT crews have responded to approximately 60 blocked or damaged highways scattered across Western Washington where a combination of mudslides, water over the roadway, downed trees and power lines have forced road closures. Wed, 05 Dec 2007 07:59:55 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/4_SR96CulvertRepair.htm WSDOT engineers are working quickly to design repairs for SR 96 (Seattle Hill Road) south of Snohomish after flooding collapsed a culvert and washed out the ground under a section of the road. The road has been closed since Monday, Dec. 3 to keep drivers safe while crews assessed the damage. Wed, 05 Dec 2007 07:02:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/04_522Repair.htm Crews have been out working since first light assessing and repairing damage to State Route 522 between State Route 202 and NE 195th Street in Woodinville. Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:47:44 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/120407NCHighwayCloses.htm Too much snow to reopen the North Cascades Highway. Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:35:17 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/04_Media_Update.htm VANCOUVER – Interstate 5 remains closed in Lewis County today. I-5 is closed in the Chehalis area, between Grand Mound (milepost 88) and exit 68. The interstate is currently under approximately 10 feet of water and is expected to remain closed until Thursday or later. Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:45:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/4_5AMUpdateCrewsAssessingDamage.htm At daylight, WSDOT crews will be out in full force to asses the damage from the overnight windstorm and check on drainage from the last 48-hour rainstorm. Both storms brought high winds, heavy rains, mudslides and falling trees to most of western Washington. Tue, 04 Dec 2007 08:12:37 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/03_I-5inChehalisClosed.htm OLYMPIA – Flooding on I-5 in Chehalis has forced WSDOT to close the freeway to all traffic and forecasted high winds have floating bridge crews on high alert. Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:59:42 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/StormRecapI90Dec07.htm In the wake of Mother Nature’s fury, WSDOT crews have their hands full dealing with rain, mudslides, natural avalanches, and standing water on Snoqualmie Pass after temperatures warmed up and rain started to fall. Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:31:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/3_NoonUpdateWesternWA.htm Mother Nature Wreaks Havoc across Western Washington This Morning, WSDOT Crews Work to Battle the Storm Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:34:41 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/03_SR502GirderCancelled.htm VANCOUVER – With water levels rising, crews have cancelled the next three days of girder setting for the new I-5, SR 502 Interchange. Tue, 04 Dec 2007 01:35:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2007/12/04_FloodingI5Closed_LewisCo.htm OLYMPIA – WSDOT crews have been working throughout the day today responding to flooding problems on state highways throughout Western Washington. Both directions of I-5 in Lewis County near Chehalis remains closed and several state highways are still under water.