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, 27 May 2012 09:13:53 GMT 15 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Public/images/nav/wsdot2g4.gif http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Olympic/News/ Sat, 26 May 2012 02:45:58 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/Chinookreopening2012.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/Chinookreopening2012.htm Chinook Pass reopened in time for Memorial Day weekend. Fri, 25 May 2012 23:21:34 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/WashingtonMostBikeFriendly.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/WashingtonMostBikeFriendly.htm Washington No. 1 ‘Bicycle-Friendly State’ five years running Thu, 24 May 2012 07:40:03 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/22_WSDOTDrugAlcoholPolicy.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/22_WSDOTDrugAlcoholPolicy.htm A safe transportation system is the Washington State Department of Transportation’s highest priority. To safely build, operate, and maintain that system, we have long-held and clear policies that strictly prohibit any drug or alcohol use by state employees in the workplace. Wed, 23 May 2012 05:23:39 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/22_16_TNBSecurityExercise.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/22_16_TNBSecurityExercise.htm May 23 WSDOT will participate in a security exercise at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Tue, 22 May 2012 04:11:44 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/Memorial_Day_2012.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/Memorial_Day_2012.htm Memorial Day signals the unofficial kickoff for summer travel, and the Washington State Department of Transportation reminds drivers to plan their trips before taking off this weekend. Sat, 19 May 2012 01:09:16 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/18_SR520PontoonFloatoutDelay.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/18_SR520PontoonFloatoutDelay.htm SEATTLE – Float-out of the first six concrete pontoons for the new State Route 520 floating bridge will be delayed to allow crews time to make repairs and modifications after damaged concrete was found in one of the pontoons. Tue, 15 May 2012 23:24:06 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/15_AWV-closed-5-18-21.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/15_AWV-closed-5-18-21.htm Crews will close the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct this weekend to continue reinforcing a two-block section of the structure located above the route of the future SR 99 tunnel. Fri, 11 May 2012 02:29:21 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/10SR20NCHReopens.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/10SR20NCHReopens.htm SR 20, the North Cascades Highway reopend to traffic at noon, Thursday, May 10. Wed, 02 May 2012 23:51:52 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/SurplusPropertiesSpring2012.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/05/SurplusPropertiesSpring2012.htm Surplus properties go on the auction block Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:56:45 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/20_I-5+Exit+to+Tacoma+Changing.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/20_I-5+Exit+to+Tacoma+Changing.htm TACOMA - The northbound I-5 exit to the Tacoma City Center will change for three months starting Saturday, April 28, 2012. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:08:26 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/18_2012_workzone_safety.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/18_2012_workzone_safety.htm OLYMPIA – It’s simple really: See orange, slow down. Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:26:17 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/13_pugnettiparkreopens.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/13_pugnettiparkreopens.htm A parcel of land at the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 21st Street in downtown Tacoma, known as Pugnetti Park, reopens for public use today, April 13. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:27:23 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/11-SR104HoodCanalBridgeWestHalfRepairs.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/11-SR104HoodCanalBridgeWestHalfRepairs.htm West-half repairs mean nighttime closures for Hood Canal Bridge in May Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:05:53 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/10_WSDOTbeginsnewtollenforcementprogram.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/10_WSDOTbeginsnewtollenforcementprogram.htm WSDOT begins new toll enforcement program Thu, 05 Apr 2012 04:30:22 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/4_wa_or_integratedcorridor.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/4_wa_or_integratedcorridor.htm Washington and Oregon are creating a new partnership and will develop a plan for managing passenger-rail service between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., as one continuous rail corridor rather than two separate state operations. Transportation officials for each state signed an agreement today as another step toward offering faster, more frequent Amtrak Cascades service. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:03:46 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/2_ConstructionresumesonI-90.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/04/2_ConstructionresumesonI-90.htm After a long winter break, construction is getting ready to resume on two major Interstate 90 projects east of Snoqualmie Pass. And that means drivers who cross the pass should prepare for construction related closures and delays. Sat, 31 Mar 2012 01:01:06 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/SouthSoundrampmeterupdate.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/SouthSoundrampmeterupdate.htm NISQUALLY – By tweet and email, motorists gave a resounding “Hooray!” when seven new cameras on Interstate 5 between Lacey and Joint Base Lewis-McChord went online earlier this month. Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:42:49 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/29_emergency_landslide_fix.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/29_emergency_landslide_fix.htm OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation is applying for emergency federal funds to repair highways in Mason and Clark counties damaged by landslides. Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:34:57 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/032912_US2_RiceRoadclosure.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/032912_US2_RiceRoadclosure.htm US 2 at Rice Road reduced to one lane April 8-13 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 03:47:25 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/BikePedGrants2012.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/BikePedGrants2012.htm Grant funding available for community projects that improve conditions for bicycling, walking Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:36:17 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/22SR20NCHReopenStart.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/22SR20NCHReopenStart.htm Reopening of the North Cascades Highway starts Mar. 26. Despite another La Nina winter, crews are optimistic SR 20 could reopen by May. Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:12:19 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/21_studded_tire_extension.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/21_studded_tire_extension.htm Drivers have an extra two weeks to remove their studded tires this year. Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:12:19 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/2012TIGER4Grants.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/2012TIGER4Grants.htm State’s TIGER IV applications support increased mobility, travel choices and international trade Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:34:39 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/15_kssrestoration.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/15_kssrestoration.htm Federal, state and local officials got a behind the scenes tour today, March 15, of recently completed King Street Station improvements as they kicked off the next phase of the station’s ongoing historic restoration. Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:36:11 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/15_CheckMailForTollBills.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/15_CheckMailForTollBills.htm Motorists who crossed the State Route 520 bridge or Tacoma Narrows Bridge without a Good To Go! account, should check their mail for a toll bill. Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:37:35 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/I5_RampMeterCamerasSouthSound.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/03/I5_RampMeterCamerasSouthSound.htm New ramp meters, cameras set up in South Sound Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:26:22 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/SR3_FuneralProcession.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/SR3_FuneralProcession.htm Procession honoring fallen WSP Trooper Thursday Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:53:26 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/28_SR99_toll_committee.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/28_SR99_toll_committee.htm The SR 99 Tunnel Project’s Advisory Committee on Tolling and Traffic Management meets Wednesday to continue exploring ways to reduce traffic diversion due to tunnel tolls and meet the project’s funding goals. Committee members will review current freight and transit traffic movements and downtown and waterfront planning efforts. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:52:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/21_ViaductReplacement.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/21_ViaductReplacement.htm Expert panel confirms viaduct replacement on schedule, on budget Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:52:37 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/20_remainingtnbinfractionsdismissed.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/20_remainingtnbinfractionsdismissed.htm Pierce County District Court has notified the Washington State Department of Transportation it will dismiss 14,000 Tacoma Narrows Bridge infractions. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:56:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/1_CACmeeting2.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/02/1_CACmeeting2.htm Members of a citizen advisory group will discuss new toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge at a second meeting Feb. 8 at the Gig Harbor Civic Center. An informational open house hosted by the Washington State Department of Transportation will precede the meeting. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:03:31 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/EqualOpportunityDisparityStudy.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/EqualOpportunityDisparityStudy.htm Statewide meetings kick off disparity study Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:09:44 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/2012SafeRoutesToSchool.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/2012SafeRoutesToSchool.htm WSDOT seeking projects for the Safe Routes to School Program Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:20:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/21_PugetSoundHighwaysOpening.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/21_PugetSoundHighwaysOpening.htm Washington State highway crews continue to get roads back in good shape after seven straight days of snow, ice, sleet, wind and rain. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:19:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/19_WSDOTWorkerInjuries.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/19_WSDOTWorkerInjuries.htm Two Washington State Department of Transportation workers injured today while helping keep state roadways open during the winter storm are expected to make full recoveries, WSDOT said today. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:13:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/19_icestorm_update2.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/19_icestorm_update2.htm OLYMPIA – Commutes will remain difficult through the night and into Friday as this winter storm continues to pack a punch. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:35:39 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/19_icestorm_update.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/19_icestorm_update.htm OLYMPIA - Collisions and tree limbs are piling up on state highways, the Washington State Department of Transportation said today. Drivers may face long delays from icy conditions and road and lane closures throughout the state. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:24:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/19_commute_icestorm.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/19_commute_icestorm.htm OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation today urged drivers to use extreme caution because of ice on roadways from freezing rain. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:25:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/18_IceWarning.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/18_IceWarning.htm Today’s western Washington snowfall, as much as 14 inches in some spots in Pierce and Thurston counties, now gives way to a bigger concern on the roads: ice you can’t see.Forecasts call for dropping temperatures overnight and wet roadways turning to ice. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:37:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/17_winter_storm_pm_report.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/17_winter_storm_pm_report.htm Weather conditions tonight, tomorrow and into Thursday are shaping up to make roadway conditions potentially treacherous, the Washington State Department of Transportation said today. Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:15:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/13_mlkjrweekendsnow.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/13_mlkjrweekendsnow.htm Road crews statewide are gearing up for what could be the biggest snowstorm of winter 2011-2012, with snow expected from the Hood Canal north to Bellingham, south to Vancouver and east to Spokane. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:50:32 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/12_First520TollBills.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/12_First520TollBills.htm Within the next week, 19,000 State Route 520 toll bills will arrive in mailboxes across the Puget Sound region. That might seem like a lot, but it’s far fewer bills than the Washington State Department of Transportation expected to send. Sat, 07 Jan 2012 09:35:16 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/06_520TollingWeekLater.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/06_520TollingWeekLater.htm More drivers are returning to the State Route 520 floating bridge, a week after tolls began. Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:49:08 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/405bellvuetolynnwood.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/405bellvuetolynnwood.htm WSDOT selects Flatiron Constructors Inc. for $155.5 million I-405 Bellevue to Lynnwood improvement project Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/01_05_TNB+Rates.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/01_05_TNB+Rates.htm The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen Advisory Committee will meet next week to begin discussing new toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:34:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/03_SR520FasterCommute.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/03_SR520FasterCommute.htm Drivers found a faster evening commute across the newly-tolled State Route 520 bridge on Tuesday, Jan. 3. While more drivers chose alternate routes like Interstate 90 and SR 522, congestion was still fairly typical. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:27:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/02_Day5tolling.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2012/01/02_Day5tolling.htm As the holiday season closes, people head back to work and school tomorrow in full force. Commuters in Central Puget Sound can expect changes to their drive, as they continue to make adjustments triggered by the start of tolling on State Route 520 last Thursday. Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:23:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/12/30_520tollingday2.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/12/30_520tollingday2.htm Evening rush hour was predictably light for the second day of tolling on the SR 520 floating bridge. As 2011 comes to a close, drivers prepare for changes to their commute on Tuesday. Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:12:00 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/12/29_SR520TOLLINGFIRSTDAY.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/12/29_SR520TOLLINGFIRSTDAY.htm Tolling on the State Route 520 bridge began as planned at 5 a.m. today, when the first tolled car since June 1979 crossed the bridge. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:56:40 GMT http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/12/21_chirstmastravel2011.htm http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/12/21_chirstmastravel2011.htm A white Christmas? Could be – at least in the mountains. Travelers should plan to pack tire chains and a winter kit alongside presents before hitting the road.