Date:
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Contact:
Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080 (Olympia)
Janet Matkin, WSDOT Tolls Communication Manager, (253) 534-4660 (Gig Harbor)
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.
And for those traveling over the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, WSDOT is looking at ways to get people through the manual toll lanes quicker.
Thanksgiving night, even with full staffing and all lanes open, the system was overwhelmed when twice as many drivers as normal used the manual toll lanes. Traffic backups resulted and similar congestion is expected between 4 and 10 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.
WSDOT will be monitoring traffic at the toll plaza and SR 16 and take steps to manage traffic so that vehicles with Good to Go! transponders will use the left lanes. However, there remains the possibility that traffic will backup in all lanes.
“Drivers are urged to drive at alternative times if possible and drivers with Good To Go! transponders are encouraged to use the 24th Street on-ramp in Gig Harbor to avoid the toll plaza," said Janet Matkin, WSDOT Tolls Communication Manager.
With Christmas Day falling on a Tuesday, WSDOT expects increased travel on state highways beginning Friday and through much of the weekend. The predictions are based on clear driving conditions, and heavy mountain snowfall could result in moderate to heavy traffic outside the predicted times.
WSDOT’s historical data notes only two spots of higher-than-normal traffic over the holidays, the I-5/Shoreline area north of Seattle and the I-5 route from Olympia to Chehalis.
Travel on I-5 northbound from Chehalis to Olympia will see additional travelers between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23 and Tuesday, Dec. 25 and also midday on Wednesday and Thursday (Dec. 26 and 27). I-5 southbound from Olympia to Chehalis will see additional travel early afternoon hours Saturday (Dec. 22) and Sunday (Dec. 23) and Dec. 26 and 27.
The 40-mile long section of I-5 from the Toutle River Safety Rest Area in Cowlitz County to the Maytown interchange south of Olympia in Thurston County that is still only two lanes in each direction. As a result, congestion is a problem and even minor incidents can result in significant traffic backups. You can learn more about three improvement projects in this area at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/RushRd13thSt/
On I-5 in Shoreline, higher-than-normal traffic is expected Thursday, Friday, and Monday (Dec. 20, 21 and 24) and also on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Dec. 26 – 28) after Christmas.
The mountain pass highways aren’t one of the heavy travel spots in late December, but a late-starting ski season and new snow may bring more people to I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, US 2 Stevens Pass and US 12 White Pass.
Weather forecasts for the holidays include more snow in the mountains, with rain in lower elevations in Western Washington. Eastern Washington is expected to receive a mix of snow and rain.
WSDOT crews are still out clearing roads and Incident Response Teams are out helping drivers. Extra Incident Response Teams will remain on duty throughout the holidays to provide assistance.
Most of the heavy snowfall will be in the mountain pass areas and the higher elevations across the state, but all drivers are encouraged prepare for winter driving conditions. Motorists are advised to slow down, drive for conditions and prepare their car for winter travel. Remember, ice and snow, take it slow.
Know Before You Go:
• On WSDOT’s updated winter Web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find links to all kinds of winter driving-related information including preparing a vehicle for winter driving, a list of winter emergency kit items, safe driving tips and information on mountain pass travel advisories.
• WSDOT offers several ways to get up-to-date traffic and construction information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave your home or office.
• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather drivers can look at weather forecasts and road temperatures throughout the state.
• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, the color-coded map shows statewide traffic conditions, including construction delays and highway incidents.
• 511 - This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
• Drivers with Web service on their cellular phones and PDAs can access the Seattle area traffic flow map, ferry schedules, mountain pass reports at www.wsdot.wa.gov/small.
On the Road:
• Overhead and roadside electronic signs – Overhead and freeway signs provide emergency and incident alerts and, in some Seattle-area locations during rush hours, point-to-point travel times.
• Highway advisory radio - Yellow signs with flashing lights alert drivers to tune into radio frequencies airing construction updates. Program your radio for AM 530 and AM 1610.
< Back to News Home