http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/ Copyright WSDOT 2008. All rights reserved. bertraj@wsdot.wa.gov (Jeremy Bertrand) Washington State Department of Transportation Sun, 19 May 2013 20:58:31 GMT 15 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Public/images/nav/wsdot2g4.gif http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/ Sat, 18 May 2013 06:20:41 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/17_DBEStudyOnline.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/17_DBEStudyOnline.htm OLYMPIA – A study to determine whether the Washington State Department of Transportation’s contracting activities are fair and equitable for all is now available for review. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program disparity study analyzed information about local marketplace conditions for minority-owned and women-owned businesses and the degree to which WSDOT utilizes these businesses. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:09:32 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/14_Chinook_pass_open_2013.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/14_Chinook_pass_open_2013.htm CHINOOK PASS – Crews opened Chinook Pass at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 17. It’s safe to say drivers can make travel plans over State Route 410 this weekend. Fri, 17 May 2013 21:36:55 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/17_Memorial_Day_Travel_2013.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/17_Memorial_Day_Travel_2013.htm OLYMPIA – If you’re taking to the road for Memorial Day weekend, don’t forget to plan ahead with travel tools from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Fri, 17 May 2013 05:40:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/16_I5SR104To52ndPaving.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/16_I5SR104To52ndPaving.htm Nearly everything wears down over time, and it’s no different with the pavement on Interstate 5. But help is coming to South Snohomish County. Thu, 16 May 2013 02:21:56 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/15_PontoonMayMovements.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/15_PontoonMayMovements.htm SEATTLE – Drivers, boaters and residents around Lake Washington should be on the lookout for State Route 520 bridge pontoons moving through the lake this month. Contractor crews will float one pontoon through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. this afternoon, Wednesday, May 15. A pontoon already on the lake will be moved from its current staging location to another location on the lake, making way for a pontoon from Aberdeen to use that staging area when it a Wed, 15 May 2013 05:16:01 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/14_AWVTunnelPitComplete.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/14_AWVTunnelPitComplete.htm Last spring, a field of unturned dirt marked the spot where Bertha will begin digging the two-mile State Route 99 tunnel beneath downtown Seattle. One year and 86,000 cubic yards of soil later, it’s a pit fit for the world’s largest tunneling machine. Crews finished building Bertha’s 80-foot-deep launch pit on Sunday after nearly a year spent building its underground walls, removing soil and building the infrastructure needed to support the nearly 7,000-ton machine. Its completion clears the Wed, 08 May 2013 03:14:27 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/I5050713.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/I5050713.htm Drivers adjusted to 11 weekend closures to replace 31 aging expansion joints on the Interstate-5/West Seattle Bridge interchange and mainline I-5 in South Seattle. The project is now complete; however the Washington State Department of Transportation sees more expansion joint repair work on the horizon this summer and in early 2014 in the vicinity of downtown Seattle. Fri, 03 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/BiketoSchool_0503.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/BiketoSchool_0503.htm Students celebrate national Bike to School Day May 8 Thu, 02 May 2013 22:27:36 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/02_520boatingseason.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/02_520boatingseason.htm Boating season marks the unofficial start to summer in Seattle for motorists and mariners alike. Wed, 01 May 2013 23:25:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/2013WAnamedBikeFriendlyState_0501.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/2013WAnamedBikeFriendlyState_0501.htm 6-time champ Washington leads pack again as ‘Bicycle-Friendly State’ Tue, 23 Apr 2013 03:06:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/22_earthday.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/22_earthday.htm Earth Day 2013 marks an opportunity for Washingtonians to learn how they can reduce their own carbon emissions and how programs at the Washington State Department of Transportation can help. Sat, 20 Apr 2013 03:32:40 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/19_LED_phase_two.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/19_LED_phase_two.htm OLYMPIA – Drivers on US 101 west of Olympia will notice changes to roadway lighting as a pilot project to test the first light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting system on a state highway moves into its second phase. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:16:30 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/16_520ClosureApr19-22.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/16_520ClosureApr19-22.htm Drivers who cross Lake Washington should plan ahead to avoid potential congestion this weekend, when State Route 520 closes for construction. The Washington State Department of Transportation will close all lanes and ramps of SR 520 between Montlake Boulevard and Interstate 405 starting 11 p.m. Friday, April 19. All lanes and ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, April 22. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 03:20:11 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/16SR20NCHReopens.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/16SR20NCHReopens.htm The North Cascades Highway reopened at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 16. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 02:54:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/11_workzonesafety2013_goorange.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/11_workzonesafety2013_goorange.htm OLYMPIA – Transportation workers, along with all roadway and utility workers, ask drivers to remember one rule when they see those bright orange signs and cones: just slow down. Sat, 06 Apr 2013 01:01:49 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/5_Tunnel-statement.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/5_Tunnel-statement.htm Statement by Linea Laird, Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program administrator: The ship carrying the State Route 99 tunnel boring machine, the Jumbo Fairpartner, was scheduled to berth at Terminal 46 this morning to begin unloading. Arrangements are still being made to unload the ship. Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:45:47 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/05_13_constructionresumesi90.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/05_13_constructionresumesi90.htm Start planning your trip over Interstate 90 east of Snoqualmie Pass now! Several major road improvement projects will delay drivers this year as the Washington State Department of Transportation improves sections of roadway across a 50-mile stretch of I-90. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:20:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/01_TunnelMachineArrives.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/01_TunnelMachineArrives.htm Bertha sighting: SR 99 tunneling machine draws near World’s largest tunneling machine to arrive by ship in Seattle tomorrow The ship carrying the $80 million machine that will dig the SR 99 tunnel beneath downtown Seattle entered Washington waters today. Its two-week journey from the manufacturing plant in Osaka, Japan will end tomorrow in Elliott Bay. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:49:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/I5_040113.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/I5_040113.htm All lanes on northbound Interstate 5 in South Seattle reopened on schedule Monday, April 1 2013 following a weekend of closures to replace four aging highway expansion joints. But the work isn’t over yet. Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:50:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/30_I5+expansion+joints.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/30_I5+expansion+joints.htm Drivers should plan for another day of lane closures and delays as contractor crews replace failing expansion joints on northbound I-5 south of Downtown Seattle. Sat, 30 Mar 2013 00:57:22 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/workzone_speed_enforcement_centralia.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/workzone_speed_enforcement_centralia.htm CENTRALIA – An automated speed-enforcement camera will be placed in a construction zone on Interstate 5 in Lewis County beginning Monday, April 8, in an attempt to slow drivers and improve safety. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 06:23:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/26SR20SpringReopeningBegins.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/26SR20SpringReopeningBegins.htm Work to reopen the 37 miles of the North Cascades Highway closed last Nov. 20, got underway Monday, Mar. 25. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:07:49 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/26_SR99SODORampClosure.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/26_SR99SODORampClosure.htm The southbound State Route 99 off-ramp near Seattle’s stadiums will make a weekend move as contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation continue construction on the new South Atlantic Street overpass. Currently, the ramp connects to East Frontage Road on the west side of SR 99, but starting Monday morning, April 1, the ramp will drop drivers off at a new intersection at South Atlantic Street and Colorado Avenue South. Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:38:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/25_stud_tire_off_2013.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/25_stud_tire_off_2013.htm OLYMPIA – Spring has arrived. As temperatures rise across the region, the Washington State Department of Transportation reminds drivers to remove their studded tires by midnight, March 31. Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:16:49 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/_25NorthI5closures.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/_25NorthI5closures.htm A busy section of northbound Interstate 5 near downtown Seattle will be reduced to just two lanes over the next two weekends as contractor crews replace four 50-year-old expansion joints that span the width of the highway. Work starts Friday, March 29. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 01:40:37 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/21_I5BusySpringWeekend.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/21_I5BusySpringWeekend.htm Drivers who cross Lake Washington, connect to Interstate 5 from West Seattle or head south from the University District this weekend should plan ahead now. With several critical highway improvement projects shifting into high gear, the roads will be busy for the first weekend of spring. Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:28:50 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/19_520WeekendEBClosure.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/19_520WeekendEBClosure.htm (Editor’s note: Due to heavy rains this week, the scheduled closure of SR 520 eastbound lanes and Eastside ramps is canceled. Work will be rescheduled at a later date.) SEATTLE – Drivers who cross Lake Washington should plan ahead to avoid potential delays this weekend, when eastbound State Route 520 closes for lane shifting. Westbound lanes will remain open. The Washington State Department of Transportation will close all eastbound lanes on SR 520 between Montlake Boulevard in Seattle Wed, 20 Mar 2013 01:24:30 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/18_Bertha-sets-sail.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/18_Bertha-sets-sail.htm The journey starts today, March 19, with a single ship. It will end approximately two weeks and 5,000 miles later in the waters of Elliott Bay, with the much-anticipated arrival of Bertha, the massive machine that will dig the SR 99 tunnel beneath downtown Seattle. Sat, 16 Mar 2013 05:13:10 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/15_DBEopenhouse.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/15_DBEopenhouse.htm Seattle Tunnel Partners, the Washington State Department of Transportation’s design-builder for the State Route 99 Tunnel Project, will host an open house this month for disadvantaged businesses to learn about upcoming contracting opportunities associated with the tunnel operations buildings. Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:27:39 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/15_520ClosurePostponed.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/15_520ClosurePostponed.htm SEATTLE – The planned closure of State Route 520 between Montlake Boulevard in Seattle and Interstate 405 from 11 p.m. tonight to 5 a.m. Monday is postponed due to expected inclement weather that could affect the construction work. WSDOT is evaluating alternate plans to complete the work that was planned for this weekend. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:19:11 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/SecPetersonProjectReview.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/SecPetersonProjectReview.htm Transportation Secretary Peterson calls for mega project review Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:35:46 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/13_I90buildavalanchebridges.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/13_I90buildavalanchebridges.htm Big changes are coming to Interstate 90 near Snoqualmie Pass. The snowshed is coming down and bridges are going up as part of a 15 mile corridor improvement project. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:26:17 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/12_SR-99-tolling-meeting.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/12_SR-99-tolling-meeting.htm The State Route 99 Tunnel Project’s Advisory Committee on Tolling and Traffic Management will meet March 13 to discuss traffic and revenue modeling results from four additional toll scenarios. Fri, 08 Mar 2013 08:05:13 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/07SR20ReopenStartTarget.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/07SR20ReopenStartTarget.htm An early season assessment of SR 20 has generated a March 25 target for clearing of the North Cascades Highway to begin. If the weather cooperates, the scenic roadway could be open by May Day. Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:34:03 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/7_SR99_AuroraBridge.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/7_SR99_AuroraBridge.htm Should the “big one” hit, the Aurora Avenue Bridge is in better condition to roll with the Richter scale than it was a year ago. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 05:04:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/6_Bertha_starts_packing.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/6_Bertha_starts_packing.htm It won’t be long before Bertha, the world’s largest-diameter tunneling machine, starts digging the State Route 99 tunnel beneath downtown Seattle. But first she faces a long journey from her manufacturing plant in Osaka, Japan, to the waters of Elliott Bay. Tue, 05 Mar 2013 06:10:06 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/04_point_defiance_bypass_FONSI_issued.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/04_point_defiance_bypass_FONSI_issued.htm Amtrak Cascades riders can now look forward to shorter trip times and more reliable schedules between Seattle and Portland following federal approval of WSDOT’s proposal to reroute the passenger train service to a less congested route. Tue, 05 Mar 2013 04:18:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/0313_CayuseClearing2013.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/0313_CayuseClearing2013.htm Early last week, Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews revved up more than 26 tons of heavy duty machinery and began their annual quest to open Cayuse Pass by Memorial Day weekend. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:48:34 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/27_I5BigConstructionWeekend.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/27_I5BigConstructionWeekend.htm Whether you’re headed to the Seattle Sounders home opener, looking for a little exercise at the Hot Chocolate Run or just excited to see Interstate 5 pavement repaired, there is something for everyone this weekend in Seattle. Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:49:49 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/26_SR99ViaductClosure.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/26_SR99ViaductClosure.htm Drivers make way for safety inspections and chocolate on State Route 99 this weekend. The Washington State Department of Transportation will close the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct this Saturday, March 2 for its semiannual inspection. Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:05:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/I405EAGMtg2.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/I405EAGMtg2.htm A local advisory group will consider changes to the two-person carpool requirement on Interstate 405 and State Route 167 for the corridor’s future express toll lanes at a meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Wed, 27 Feb 2013 04:51:18 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/26_SR520_PontoonsUpdate.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/26_SR520_PontoonsUpdate.htm SEATTLE – Secretary Hammond announced today that WSDOT is making repairs and design modifications to the SR 520 pontoons to ensure a 75-year life of the floating bridge. These changes are the result of findings by an expert review panel. Secretary Hammond also requested an internal review of what led to problems with the pontoons, which is now complete. “We are implementing the expert review panel’s findings to make repairs to the pontoons on Lake Washington and design modifications to the po Sat, 23 Feb 2013 02:19:47 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/22_LED_lights_US101_olympia.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/22_LED_lights_US101_olympia.htm OLYMPIA – Within a week, US 101 west of Olympia drivers on will see the Black Lake Boulevard interchange in a whole new light. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 00:32:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/0222_timberbridge.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/0222_timberbridge.htm Contractor crews for the Washington State Department of Transportation this week brought in the heavy equipment to bring down and replace an elevated section of State Route 99 just south of the West Seattle Bridge. When they finish, they’ll leave Seattle’s SODO neighborhood with a stronger concrete bridge better equipped to withstand the test of time. Tue, 12 Feb 2013 06:27:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/11_I405andSR518PavementRehabAward.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/11_I405andSR518PavementRehabAward.htm Work to replace damaged concrete pavement and smooth the ride along two major Puget Sound highways is set to begin this May. Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:40:52 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/BridgingFutures2013.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/BridgingFutures2013.htm A new scholarship offers high school students interested in engineering, the environment or art the chance to earn money for college. Wed, 06 Feb 2013 05:43:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/020513_I5Grinding.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/020513_I5Grinding.htm Crews to grind down bumps, ruts and cracks along aging interstate-5 in King County. Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:21:49 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/04_520OpenHouse_2013.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/04_520OpenHouse_2013.htm Construction of the structure connecting the new floating bridge to Montlake will begin next year, and community members and State Route 520 travelers can view architectural and construction plans at open houses Feb. 5 and 6. Thu, 31 Jan 2013 06:14:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/SR520WeekendClosureFeb1_3.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/SR520WeekendClosureFeb1_3.htm SEATTLE – While groundhogs are looking for signs of spring on Saturday, construction crews on State Route 520 will be looking to get as much work done as possible before Sunday morning. Crews will close the highway between Montlake Boulevard and I-405 from 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 3. Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:05:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/28_SR520_TacomaPontoonsFloatOut.htm.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/28_SR520_TacomaPontoonsFloatOut.htm.htm TACOMA – Six more pontoons are complete for the new State Route 520 floating bridge. U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer of Gig Harbor joined state and local leaders in Tacoma today, as Washington State Department of Transportation crews began float-out of the second cycle of supplemental pontoons. This float-out follows six months of construction at the Concrete Tech Corporation site, wrapping up the second of six pontoon construction cycles in Tacoma. Crews completed 12 of 44 pontoons to be built in Ta Sat, 26 Jan 2013 00:33:56 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/25_I90EACommentPeriodStarts.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/25_I90EACommentPeriodStarts.htm People who might be affected by a proposal to toll Interstate 90 between Seattle and Bellevue can give input to a state study that will assess the potential environmental and social effects of tolling. Fri, 25 Jan 2013 05:44:51 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/24_rail_mudslide_solutions.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/24_rail_mudslide_solutions.htm OLYMPIA – Four rail partners involved in service and safety in the corridor between Seattle and Everett are putting a new focus on understanding the root causes and potential solutions to mudslides that resulted in a record number of Amtrak Cascades and Sounder passenger-service disruptions this winter. Thu, 24 Jan 2013 04:32:51 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/405Meeting1.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/405Meeting1.htm How to fund and operate express toll lanes on Interstate 405 and State Route 167 will be the focus of 30 local elected officials and transportation agency representatives as they convene Thursday, Jan. 24. Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:03:38 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/011713%29I5WestSeattle.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/011713%29I5WestSeattle.htm Drivers near the Interstate 5/West Seattle Bridge interchange face another weekend of ramp closures. Construction crews will close the ramp from westbound South Columbian Way to southbound I-5, the West Seattle Bridge and 6th Avenue South Friday night, Jan. 18, through Monday morning, Jan. 21. The primary detour route is 15th Avenue S. Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:29:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/011013_I5_WestSeattle.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/011013_I5_WestSeattle.htm If weather conditions hold through the weekend, crews will close the ramp from westbound Columbian Way to the West Seattle Bridge and 6th Avenue South Friday night through Monday morning. This closure reflects a schedule change. Fri, 04 Jan 2013 05:21:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/I5_010313.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/I5_010313.htm Starting Friday night, crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will close the ramp from southbound Interstate 5 to the West Seattle Bridge and the westbound Columbian Way ramp to the West Seattle Bridge. Detours are in place.