http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Olympic/News/ Copyright WSDOT 2008. All rights reserved. Washington State Department of Transportation news for the counties of Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce and Thurston. bertraj@wsdot.wa.gov (Jeremy Bertrand) Washington State Department of Transportation Sun, 19 May 2013 11:17:21 GMT 15 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Public/images/nav/wsdot2g4.gif http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Olympic/News/ 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. 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 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 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. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:46:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/04_SR16TacomaNarrowsClosureDelayed.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/04_SR16TacomaNarrowsClosureDelayed.htm TACOMA – Drivers who were preparing for the April 26 weekend closure of the westbound State Route 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge can take a breather. A project to replace a problematic expansion joint has been delayed a few weeks. 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. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 06:07:51 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/08_5_TacomaMallExitClosure.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/08_5_TacomaMallExitClosure.htm 3-month closure of southbound I-5 exit to Tacoma Mall starts April 20 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 02:11:33 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/14_TNB_tollratediscussion.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/14_TNB_tollratediscussion.htm GIG HARBOR – Residents and bridge users are invited to learn more about proposed toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge when the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) meets Tuesday, Feb. 19, at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St., Gig Harbor. 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, 30 Jan 2013 05:51:38 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/29_SR+20+bridge.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/29_SR+20+bridge.htm WSDOT moving public trail during SR 20 bridge work 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 02:01:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/17_DemoResumesOnViaduct.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/17_DemoResumesOnViaduct.htm Demolition of the original eastbound State Route 16 Nalley Valley viaduct in Tacoma will resume on Friday, Jan. 18. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:41:12 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/13_SouthTacWaytoReopen.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/13_SouthTacWaytoReopen.htm Paving crews expect to open all lanes of South Tacoma Way in time for Monday morning’s commute. Sat, 12 Jan 2013 08:35:37 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/11_SoTacomaWayRemainClosed.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/11_SoTacomaWayRemainClosed.htm South Tacoma Way to remain closed through Monday morning while demolition plans reviewed Fri, 28 Dec 2012 03:04:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/27_oneyearof520tolling.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/27_oneyearof520tolling.htm As tolling reaches its first anniversary, SR 520 traffic and revenue continue to meet projections and are on the way to providing more than $1 billion in funding to help pay for the construction of a new bridge. Traffic is adjusting to variable tolls and settling into a new normal. Wed, 26 Dec 2012 12:08:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/25US2ReopenedStevensLeavenworth.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/25US2ReopenedStevensLeavenworth.htm US 2 reopened from Stevens Pass east to Leavenworth Christmas afternoon as bending trees threatening to fall onto the highway shed their excess snow naturally due to a change in weather. Sat, 22 Dec 2012 00:44:20 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/SR99BoringMachine_1221.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/SR99BoringMachine_1221.htm Last week, the world’s largest-diameter tunneling machine received a name. This week, it received U.S. visitors, as State Route 99 Tunnel Project leaders traveled to Japan to witness testing of the five-story-tall behemoth that will begin tunneling beneath downtown Seattle next summer. Fri, 21 Dec 2012 05:55:07 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/20_travelers_rest_open.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/20_travelers_rest_open.htm Holiday travelers and skiers enjoying new snow at Snoqualmie Pass this weekend won’t see the finished product but will have indoor facilities available starting Friday, Dec. 21, one month ahead of schedule. Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:45:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/17_first_I5_snow.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/17_first_I5_snow.htm Drivers traveling along the Interstate 5 corridor could see their first winter blast overnight, and wake to snow and ice for the Tuesday morning commute. Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:07:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/windstormSR520_1216.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/windstormSR520_1216.htm With gusty winds forecast for Puget Sound and heavy snow forecast for the passes, Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance and bridge crews spent Sunday fighting snow in the passes and tracking the next storm system as it moves into the state. Wed, 12 Dec 2012 07:45:18 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/11_EBNVTrafficShift.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/11_EBNVTrafficShift.htm If crews have enough dry weather to complete preparatory work, including weather-dependent roadway striping, eastbound SR 16 traffic could be shifted onto a newly-built temporary eastbound bridge as soon as this Thursday night. Sat, 08 Dec 2012 08:35:57 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/07US2WSPnoparkingSki.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/07US2WSPnoparkingSki.htm The State Patrol is actively assisting the effort to solve congestion at the summit of Stevens Pass due to illegal parking Thu, 06 Dec 2012 06:15:15 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/05_I5ThurstonCoCamerasGoLive.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/05_I5ThurstonCoCamerasGoLive.htm New I-5 traffic cameras go online tomorrow Tue, 04 Dec 2012 08:26:06 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/GNB47_News_All_Items.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/GNB47_News_All_Items.htm OLYMPIA – Topics in the latest edition of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s quarterly performance report – the Gray Notebook – take flight, ride the rails and hit the water. Tue, 04 Dec 2012 01:30:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/3_Freight_Detour.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/12/3_Freight_Detour.htm Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:28:05 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/11/2012BridgeFunds.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/11/2012BridgeFunds.htm 70 aging bridges receive money for improvements Thu, 22 Nov 2012 05:23:04 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/11/2013STIP.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/11/2013STIP.htm Washington’s 4-year program of transportation projects ready for review Wed, 21 Nov 2012 05:14:24 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/11/20SR20NCHClosed.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/11/20SR20NCHClosed.htm The North Cascades Highway's temporary closure on Monday became a season ending closure due to heavy snow and big avalanches. Wed, 21 Nov 2012 04:13:27 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/11/20_traindisruptioninto.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/11/20_traindisruptioninto.htm EVERETT – This week’s heavy rains triggered mudslides near Everett that affected Amtrak Cascades service, and passengers are reminded of avenues to check train status: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 07:03:15 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/11/19_StormyCommuteWesternWA.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/11/19_StormyCommuteWesternWA.htm SEATTLE – Drivers from Puget Sound to Vancouver should plan ahead for gnarly commutes this week as a series of storms barrel across Western Washington.