Date:  Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Contact: Steve Pierce, WSDOT Communications Director, 360-705-7075 (Olympia)
Jeremy Bertrand, WSDOT Web Communications, 360-705-7872 (Olympia)

OLYMPIA – They say pictures are worth a thousand words. For the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) they’re worth millions of mouse clicks. Last weekend WSDOT’s home on Flickr hit a milestone 10 million views since its creation in April 2007.

WSDOT updates its Flickr site daily with photos of construction, weather, avalanches, wildlife, environmental improvements and other images that offer a unique peek into the state’s transportation system.

“Photos can help us explain complex projects or display why we need to close a road in severe conditions,” said WSDOT Communication Director Steve Pierce. “They also let people see the inner workings of transportation activities, as well as the artistic side of bridges and other structures – things that people might not ordinarily be able to see.”

WSDOT first started sharing photos with the public on Flickr to highlight the historic Tacoma Narrows Bridge opening in June 2007. It quickly revealed what a valuable communication tool online picture sharing can be. WSDOT’s use of Flickr has grown tremendously over the last several years.

In addition to its website, WSDOT keeps people informed through other technology channels as well, including Twitter, YouTube, the WSDOT Blog and Facebook.

More information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/inform.
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