Written by James Detke The Highway System Plan is used to make investment recommendations to the Legislature that will result in a future highway system that is sound, safe and smart. This plan used scenario planning to test how different funding levels would affect different outcomes. To create our final recommendation, we worked with transportation […]
Bridge building on SR 99 in Fife requires long-term bypass for northbound traffic
FIFE – Construction of a new bridge on State Route 99 in Fife begins in mid-November and it requires a long-term traffic shift. Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 21 a two-lane bypass, or shoofly, will be in place on northbound SR 99 through September 2024. The bypass will begin just north of the Wapato Way roundabout and […]
Think operating a plow in winter is easy? Think again
Nope, they aren’t Bentleys. They’re better than Bentleys. Take a trip with us behind the driver’s seat during plow operator training on the west side of the state. To do this, we’ll need a bit of audience participation. Pretend you’re a first-year maintenance worker this winter. You’ve completed all your training, got your commercial driver’s license […]
Eastbound SR 512 exit to Canyon Road will close overnight Nov. 16
PUYALLUP – Overnight travelers who use the eastbound State Route 512 exit to Canyon Road in Puyallup will want to build extra time into their trips. From 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 until 5 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17, the exit will close to all traffic while contractors working for a developer in the area pave […]
Overnight I-5 lane and ramp closures planned for week of Nov. 13 in DuPont
DUPONT – Nighttime travelers will want to plan extra travel time for Interstate 5 lane and ramp closures near DuPont the week of Nov. 13. Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will repair guardrail and continue construction at the Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange. The overnight closures also affect access to and from the Ft. […]
Statewide draft Highway System Plan available for public comment through Dec. 18
A draft plan outlining investment recommendations for preserving, maintaining, improving and operating state highways for the next 20 years is now available for public review and comment. Comments on the draft Highway System Plan will be accepted through Monday, Dec. 18. The Washington State Department of Transportation last published the plan in 2007. The new […]
Traffic shift ahead on I-5 in Fife
Leaves are changing colors and lanes stripes are changing back from orange to white on Interstate 5! In case you need a refresher, back in February, crews began building the inside portions of the new I-5 Hylebos Creek bridges at the Fife curve. As part of this work, our team installed a median work zone […]
Plan additional travel time for night road work on southbound I-5 in Tacoma Oct. 28
Nighttime travelers who use southbound Interstate 5 in Tacoma will want to plan for one night of lane and exit closures. People are encouraged to add additional time to their travels to help prevent delays. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 to 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 29 The night lane and ramp closures allow crews to […]
Ice, ice, baby! WSDOT is ready for winter – are you?
All right stop, collaborate (with fellow travelers) and listen: because winter’s on its way with some snow and icy conditions. There’s nothing vanilla about how road crews prep for winter weather – including pre-treating and plowing – but the traveling public also can help by being prepared for changing driving conditions. And with or without […]