Nate Connors – MyNorthwest.com Seattle news, sports, weather, traffic, talk and community. Mon, 28 Jul 2025 23:03:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8 /wp-content/uploads/2024/06/favicon-needle.png Nate Connors – MyNorthwest.com 32 32 Multiple projects underway on US 2 between Stevens Pass and Coles Corner /chokepoints/stevens-pass-and-coles-corner/4114745 Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:27:15 +0000 /?p=4114745 The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) ratchets up its workload along sections of US 2 near Stevens Pass Summit this week.

Beginning Tuesday, crews will be working on pavement repairs along a 4-mile section just west of the summit, near Deception Falls.

This pavement project is scheduled from Tuesday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. Drivers will be subject to flagger-controlled traffic and will need to follow a pilot car in both directions of US 2 through this 4-mile stretch.

RELATED STORIES

WSDOT ramps up roadwork, bringing major delays near Stevens Pass

This project joins a couple of operations already on the books for . One site, that is currently active, is located just west of Stevens Pass Summit at milepost 60. Drivers will see the right lane closed in both directions of US 2 through this 1-mile section between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily through Thursday.

Beginning next week, August 6, WSDOT crews will move to Tumwater Canyon, near Leavenworth, between mileposts 94 – 98. These work zones will have drivers alternating traffic through the area, led by a pilot car. Drivers will experience intermittent 20-minute all stops during work hours.

In mid-August, WSDOT plans to close US 2 in both directions just west of Leavenworth at mileposts 97 to 98. During this time, passenger vehicles will be detoured onto Chumstick Highway, and freight on US 97 Blewett Pass. Closure dates will be announced when confirmed.

Leavenworth is a popular destination during the summer months, offering a wide variety of fun for all ages, including hiking and biking trails, nearby lakes, river rafting and tubing, and great food with plenty of shopping nearby.

The town is rich in history, and it’s easy to spend an entire afternoon exploring the many shops and restaurants in this Bavarian-style village. If you’re planning a visit to Leavenworth, be sure to factor in these road projects and plan on a little extra time getting there.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> WSDOT ratchets up its workload along sections of US 2 near Stevens Pass Summit (Image courtesy of W... Seattle traffic this weekend is going to bite /chokepoints/seattle-traffic-weekend/4113735 Fri, 25 Jul 2025 21:00:32 +0000 /?p=4113735 We are smack-dab in the middle of summer in Seattle, and that means there are a ton of events bringing in visitors by the hundreds of thousands.

This weekend, July 25-27, is the 40th annual at the Seattle Center. Over the years, attendance numbers have averaged near 355,000, with the highest recorded number at 406,000 visitors in 2006.

That’s an average of 120,000 daily visitors making the trek to Seattle during the three-day event, and that means a lot of traffic. Add to this, continues to block 2 northbound lanes of I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge.

This, in itself, has proven to be more traffic than Seattle can handle, with daily backups taking drivers 40 minutes to drive 4 miles through downtown Seattle from the south. Drivers from the north have been dealt with nightmarish backups stretching 12 miles and adding over an hour to their commute.

Combine Revive I-5 with the Bite of Seattle and Seattle traffic — this weekend is going to bite.

Consider carpooling or riding public transportation. is a good option, with easy access at Westlake Station to the that takes you directly to the Seattle Center.

Traffic outside of Seattle

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is keeping busy this weekend by shutting down 2 major highways and a section of I-5.

State Route 167

All southbound lanes on SR 167 in Kent will be closed from SR 516/Willis Street and South 277th Street from 11:59 p.m., Friday, July 25 to 4 a.m. Monday, July 28. A will be in place.

The following on- and off-ramps will be closed:

  • Willis Street on-ramp to southbound SR 167.
  • Southbound SR 167 off-ramp to South 277th Street.

Contractor crews working for WSDOT will replace bridge joints and resurface the Green River Bridge as part of the .

State Route 18

In Auburn, all lanes on eastbound State Route 18 will close between C Street Southwest and Auburn Way South from 9 p.m., Friday, July 25, to 5 a.m. Monday, July 28, while crews . Both the C Street Southwest on-ramp to SR 18 and the SR 18 off-ramp to Auburn Way South will be closed during this work.

I-5

In Pierce County, all northbound lanes on I-5 approaching DuPont will close over two nights at Steilacoom-DuPont Road. Workers will remove temporary structures used to . Travelers will up and over the Steilacoom-DuPont Road off- and on-ramps from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. overnight Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> seattle traffic congestion commutes... Expect delays: Everett traffic will be jammed by 14-week paving project /chokepoints/everett-traffic-paving-project/4111475 Fri, 18 Jul 2025 22:54:22 +0000 /?p=4111475 The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) just announced a prodigious paving project on I-5, starting Saturday, July 19. Work is scheduled mostly evenings and overnight hours, but commuters may see occasional daytime work. No matter how you slice it, commuting through Everett is going to get rough at times during this 14-week project.

“Saturday evening in Everett, the contractors are going to start shutting down up to four left lanes to begin the grinding part of this repavement project,” WSDOT spokesperson Della Kostelnik Juarez said. “The lanes are going to start shutting down at 7 p.m. (and) reopen at 9 a.m. on Sunday, close again at 7 p.m. Sunday and reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, there will be no work on Monday (evening).”

The work starts on southbound I-5 between 41st Street and 100th Street Southeast, near the Everett Mall. Once contractors complete work in the southbound lanes, they will repave the same section in the northbound lanes of I-5.

The schedule throughout the 14-week project includes closures:

  • From 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19 to 9 a.m. Sunday, July 20.
  • From 7 p.m. Sunday, July 20 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 21.
  • From 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly Tuesday, July 22 to Friday morning, July 25.

WSDOT will inform us if there are any changes.

The Broadway HOV on-ramp to southbound I-5 will also close during the roadwork, but the general purpose on-ramp from Broadway will remain open. Some of this work needs dry weather and may need to be rescheduled.

RELATED STORIES

The Everett pavement project will repave 4 miles on I-5

This will repave approximately 4 miles of southbound I-5 in Everett and is expected to finish later this fall.

Motorcyclists should watch for grooved, uneven pavement and use extreme caution.

“We really encourage people to look at our and look at our travel map to see what is going to be open and closed,” Juarez added.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> everett traffiv paving project... Traffic alert: SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Blvd. shuts down Thursday night /chokepoints/montlake-blvd-closure/4111214 Thu, 17 Jul 2025 22:55:29 +0000 /?p=4111214 Drivers traveling on eastbound State Route (SR) 520 won’t be able to access Montlake Boulevard after 10 p.m. Thursday.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is closing the eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard.

RELATED STORIES

WSDOT crews will work on the piles installed in Portage Bay near the off-ramp until 6 a.m. on Friday.

If drivers hop onto SR 520 during this closure, they won’t be able to exit until they reach the Eastside.

That means they would have to pay the bridge toll.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

 

]]> Montlake Bridge... Southbound SR 167 to remain open this weekend /chokepoints/southbound-sr-167-open-wsdot/4108870 Thu, 10 Jul 2025 20:28:56 +0000 /?p=4108870 The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has decided to keep Southbound SR 167 open this weekend amid a flurry of upcoming highway closures.

WSDOT initially planned to have Southbound SR 167 in Kent, between Willis and 277th Street, shut down from 12 a.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Monday before deciding against it Thursday afternoon for an undisclosed reason.

“We worked with our contractor to see if they had some flexibility to kind of lessen the regional impacts with all the work that’s going on this weekend, and they had that available to do that,” Craig Smiley, construction communications manager for WSDOT, told Xվ Newsradio.

The closure was part of the widening and express toll lane expansion project WSDOT is currently undertaking. WSDOT has yet to confirm a rescheduling date for the closure, but it will likely happen toward the end of July or early August.

“Just need to kind of see how some other work shakes out,” Smiley added.

Other highway closures this weekend

RELATED STORIES

Southbound I-5 will be closed at Stewart Street under the Convention Center from 11 p.m. Friday night. This closure lasts until 6 a.m. The express lanes will remain open in the southbound direction. This closure will likely have the least amount of impact.

will be closed through Kirkland from 11 p.m. Friday night through 4 a.m. Monday. The closure extends from 124th Street in Totem Lake to 70th Place.

will be closed in Renton from 11:59 p.m. Friday night through 4 a.m. Monday. This closure is at the SR 169 interchange and Sunset Boulevard.

Contributing: Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> southbound sr 167 wsdot... Slow down: Bellevue reducing speeds in busy areas /chokepoints/bellevue-reducing-speeds/4108441 Wed, 09 Jul 2025 20:38:37 +0000 /?p=4108441 The City of Bellevue has approved speed limit reductions on four busy streets.

Bellevue’s Transportation Department is downsizing speeds in line with its goal of eliminating traffic deaths by 2030.

Almost 90% of fatalities and serious injuries in the Bellevue area happen where speed limits are 30 mph or above.

Bellevue reducing speeds in 4 areas

This summer, staff will study the impact of lowering speeds near the Factoria Mall, Microsoft Campus, a portion of Northup Way, and Village Park Drive. By the end of the month, speeds will drop by 5 to 10 miles per hour at these four locations.

More specifically, portions of124th Avenue Southeast/Southeast 38th Street and Northup Way, from Bellevue Way to 120th Avenue Northeast, will be reduced from 35 to 25 mph. The speed limit on Village Park Drive and a portion of Northeast 40th Street will be reduced from 35 to 30 mph.

Their proximity to schools, busy bike lanes, and a busy residential area were deciding factors. Staff will study the impact and use that data for future phases of this project.

The next step includes reviewing speed limits on all streets in Bellevue with a speed limit of 30 mph or more.

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

]]> Bellevue Washington's most expensive home... Plan accordingly: WSDOT ramps up projects in western Washington this week /chokepoints/road-work-in-western-washington/4107532 Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:35:34 +0000 /?p=4107532 The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has projects starting on Monday and running through the week. These projects include lane reductions, ramp closures, and a full closure on Veterans Drive in Kent.

Road work in western Washington this week

State Route 509 at Port of Tacoma

Monday, July 7 at 7 p.m., crews will remove the center left turn lanes at the intersection of Alexander Avenue East between northbound and southbound State Route (SR) 509 in Tacoma. Drivers can still make left turns onto SR 509 from the left-through lanes.

Additionally, Alexander Avenue East between 12th Street East and northbound SR 509 will be reduced to a single lane in each direction, with access to right turns. The lane reduction will remain in place for approximately one year while crews rebuild the intersection.

This work is part of the . Once complete, this will add six new miles of tolled highway between Puyallup and the Port of Tacoma and build sidewalks and shared-use paths for non-motorized travelers. Completing this unfinished highway will greatly benefit the movement of freight, improve safety, and reduce congestion on local roads and highways in the surrounding area, according to WSDOT.

I-5, SR 516, SR 509 at SeaTac

WSDOT has scheduled lane and ramp closures on I-5, SR 516, and local roads in Des Moines, SeaTac, and Kent starting Monday, July 7, through the morning of Friday, July 11.

The lane and ramp closures on I-5 will allow contractor crews to stripe the roadway. The lane and ramp closures on SR 516 will allow crews to perform work in the median of the roadway. Local road closures will allow crews to install new roadway signs.

This work is part of the.

I-5 lane closure information

Monday, June 7, through the morning of Tuesday, July 8:

  • 9:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. – Up to three lanes of northbound I-5 will close overnight between SR 516 (Exit 149) and South 200th Street/Military Road South (Exit 151).

Monday, July 7, through the morning of Friday, July 11:

  • 11:59 p.m. to 4 a.m. – Up to four lanes of northbound I-5 will close nightly between SR 516 (Exit 149) and South 200th Street/Military Road South (Exit 151).

I-5 ramp closure information

Monday, July 7, through the morning of Friday, July 11:

  • 9:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. – The northbound I-5 exit to SR 516 will close nightly. A signed detour will be in place.

Monday, July 7, through the morning of Tuesday, July 8:

  • 9:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. – The southbound I-5 exit to SR 516 will close overnight. A signed detour will be in place.

SR 516 ramp closure information

Monday, July 7, through the morning of Tuesday, July 8:

  • 11 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. – The westbound SR 516 ramp to northbound I-5 will close overnight. A signed detour will be in place.

Tuesday, July 8, through the morning of Thursday, July 10:

  • 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. – The eastbound SR 516 ramp to northbound I-5 will close nightly. A signed detour will be in place.
  • 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. – The SR 516 ramp to southbound I-5 will close nightly. A signed detour will be in place.

Saturday, July 12, through the morning of Sunday, July 13:

  • 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. – The SR 516 ramp to southbound I-5 will close overnight. A signed detour will be in place.

509 ramp closure information

Tuesday, July 8, through the morning of Friday, July 11:

  • 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. – The eastbound South 188th ramp to northbound SR 509 will close overnight. A signed detour will be in place.
  • 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. – The westbound South 188th ramp to northbound SR 509 will close overnight. A signed detour will be in place.

Local road closure information

Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 11:

  • 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. – Westbound Veterans Drive will close nightly at Military Road South. A signed detour will be in place.

Coming up: I-90/SR 18

the project will resume this month, according to WSDOT.

This will be the second around-the-clock, extended closure of SR 18 under the I-90 bridges to build the northern end of the diverging diamond interchange.

The expanded closure will be a lot like the five-day closure that WSDOT did in early June to build the southern end of the diverging diamond interchange. A lot of work is involved during these closures, including installing drainage and conduit, installing and synchronizing traffic signals, installing new traffic cameras, constructing traffic curbs, and pouring new median islands.

WSDOT will announce the closure dates and detours soon. Once this second closure is done, the roadway will reopen in the diverging diamond traffic pattern.

Ship Canal Bridge

Revive I-5 over resumes July 18, with a full closure on north I-5 between I-90 and Northeast 45th Street. During this closure, the express lanes will remain open 24/7 in the northbound direction.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

]]> WSDOT I5 traffic... WSDOT sends 16K courtesy notices to drivers in highway speed camera pilot program /chokepoints/wsdot-sends-16k-courtesy-notices-to-drivers-in-highway-speed-camera-pilot-program/4104408 Sat, 28 Jun 2025 00:35:50 +0000 /?p=4104408 The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) partnered with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) for a recent pilot program aimed at slowing drivers down on state highways.

The highway speed camera project began in April, along two stretches of state highways that are notorious for high-speed violations. In Skagit County, it was a 4.5-mile stretch on I-5 south between Bow Hill and Cook Roads. In Spokane County, it was a 3.5-mile stretch on I-90 east between Liberty Lake and the State Line.

Hundreds of cars clocked going 100 mph+ in highway speed camera pilot program

In both locations, there were signs placed well ahead of the cameras warning drivers to slow down and that their speeds were being recorded. However, WSDOT clocked 161 vehicles topping 100 mph in Skagit County and 116 in Spokane County during the pilot program.

The 2-month campaign wrapped up this past week. Kyle Miller, with WSDOT, shared some of the findings with Xվ Newsradio.

“We just took the cameras off the roads, so we haven’t had a chance to fully analyze the data yet,” he shared.

However, Miller said WSDOT sent out around 16,000 courtesy notices asking people to slow down when they were caught speeding on the road.

“Once the signs went up, we noticed that speeding went down. So that was great news,” he said.

What were the recorded speed reductions?

“I haven’t really dove in with my team yet to see exactly what these outcomes were. Just looking at the data at a high level, I could see a drop, but to what percentage, or to what speeds, that’s still further down the road that we’re going to be working on,” Miller replied.

Goal of highway speed camera program is to remind drivers to slow down

RELATED STORIES

That was the goal with this pilot program: slowing drivers down and reminding them to follow the posted speed limits or risk future infractions. The state never planned to issue speeding tickets during this period.

In 2024, 728 people were killed on Washington roadways. While that number dropped slightly from 2023, it’s still far above pre-pandemic averages.

The cameras identified several instances of excessive speeds, with 277 notices for vehicles averaging 100 mph or more through the three-mile monitoring areas. On state highways alone, there were 368 fatal or serious injury collisions in 2024 where speeding was cited as a factor, and that does not include local roadway crashes.

Last year, speeding was a factor in 34% of fatal crashes, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

“When you drive at safe speeds, you’re protecting families, neighbors, and the people working to maintain our roads,” Washington Traffic Safety Commission Program Manager Dr. Janine Koffel said.

The program was paid for with $1 million from the legislature. People can learn more about the cameras at an and share feedback. WSDOT will now analyze the data from the cameras, review public feedback, and report back to the legislature. A preliminary report will be ready in early July, and a final report this fall.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> highway speed cameras... Traffic alert: Evening work brings closures to I-405, SR 167 this week /chokepoints/closures-i-405-sr-167/4102624 Mon, 23 Jun 2025 22:35:20 +0000 /?p=4102624 The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will be ramping up work this week on the . Upgrading the tolling system and adding lanes along portions of State Route 167 (SR 167) is the bulk of this project, expected to wrap up in early 2026. When completed, drivers will have a continuous tolling system that stretches from State Route 512 (SR 512) in Puyallup to the Interstate 5 (I-5)/Interstate 405 (I-405) interchange in Lynnwood. The toll lanes give drivers an option to get through traffic quicker, at a price.

Northbound SR 167 full closure

RELATED STORIES

All lanes of northbound SR 167 in Sumner will be closed overnight from SR 410 to 24th Street East from 10 p.m. Monday, June 23, to 3 a.m. Tuesday, June 24. A is available.

The following on- and off-ramps will also be closed:

  • SR 410 on-ramp to northbound SR 167.
  • Northbound SR 167 off-ramp to 24th Street East.

Highway lane closures

  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: Up to two lanes of northbound SR 167 from SR 512 (milepost 6.5) to I-405 (milepost 26.0) will be closed nightly, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m.
  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Sunday, June 29: Up to two lanes of southbound SR 167 from I-405 (milepost 26.0) to SR 18 (milepost 14.0) will be closed nightly, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m.
  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Tuesday, June 24: All lanes of northbound SR 167 from SR 410 to 24th Street East will be closed nightly, from 10:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.

Highway ramp closures

  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: The westbound SR 410 on-ramp to northbound SR 167 will be closed nightly, from 10:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: 84th Avenue South on-ramp to northbound SR 167will be closed nightly, from 10:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: The northbound SR 167 off-ramp to South 180th Street will be closed nightly, from10:00 p.m.– 3:00 a.m.
  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: The 84th Avenue South on-ramp to southbound SR 167 will be closed nightly, from 11:59 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: The southbound SR 167 off-ramp to South 277th Street will be closed nightly, from 10:30 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: The northbound I-405 on-ramp to southbound SR 167 will be closed nightly, from 11:59 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: The southbound I-405 on-ramp to the southbound SR 167 flyover ramp will be closed nightly, from 11:59 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
  • Monday, June 23, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: The southbound SR 167 off-ramp to South 212th Street will be closed nightly, from 10:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
  • Tuesday, June 24, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: The South 212th Street on-ramp to northbound SR 167 will be closed nightly, from 10:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
  • Tuesday, June 24, to the morning of Saturday, June 28: The northbound SR 167 off-ramp to 84th Avenue South will be closed nightly, from 10:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
  • Saturday, June 28 to the morning of Sunday, June 29: The I-405 HOV flyover ramp will be closed nightly, from 1:00 a.m. – 6:15 a.m.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> closures to I-405, SR 167... Ahoy, matey! Time to renew those Washington boat decals /chokepoints/when-to-renew-washington-boat-decals/4100147 Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:05:08 +0000 /?p=4100147 The latest number of registered boat owners in Washington is anchored at 237,500 vessels. In King County, that number dwindles down to 7,600, with nearly 6,000 registered as recreational boats.

When to renew Washington boat decals?

All boat decals, which are proof of registration, expire on June 30.

Penalties for boating without updated registration start at $100 and go up to $400; in certain cases, boaters can face misdemeanor charges. Learn more about how to.

Exemptions

  • Canoes, kayaks, or boats that don’t have a motor or sail (strictly human-powered).
  • Boats held for sale by a licensed dealer.
  • Military boats.
  • Public boats of the United States or the American Red Cross.
  • State-, county-, or city-owned boats that are used for government purposes.
  • Tugs with a marine document as a boat of the United States that is primarily engaged in commerce.
  • Barges with a marine document as a boat of the United States that are primarily engaged in commerce.
  • Bare boat charters or timeshare boats with a marine document as a boat of the United States that are primarily engaged in commerce.
  • Boats with propulsion machinery that draw 250 watts or less, propel the boat no faster than 10 miles per hour, and are not used on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or the high seas beyond the territorial seas for boats owned in the United States.
  • Boats less than 16 feet long with a motor of 10 horsepower or less, which are only used on non-federal waters.
  • Tenders 10 HP or less used for direct transportation between a registered boat and the shore, and for no other purpose. The tender must display the number of the registered boat followed by the suffix “1.”
  • Boats 30 ft. or longer purchased by a nonresident who has purchased a use permit.
  • Boats primarily engaged in commerce that are owned by a resident of a country other than the United States.

Please remember to always have a sober driver, wear life jackets, and know the rules of the road (ie, no wake zones). The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reminds people that a clean boat is critical to to certain species.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> when to renew Washington boat decals... Busy weekend ahead: Seattle protests, graduations, freeway closures will snarl traffic /chokepoints/seattle-weekend-traffic-2/4099320 Sat, 14 Jun 2025 00:15:16 +0000 /?p=4099320 Graduation, protests, freeway closures, and sports will prove to be challenging for drivers this weekend around Seattle.

UW graduation

RELATED STORIES

Let’s begin with the 150th commencement at the University of Washington (UW) on Saturday, where 50,000 are expected to attend, not including the 7,400 graduates. The weather will be perfect for this outdoor ceremony at Husky Stadium, which will kick off at 1:30 p.m. Traffic around Montlake will be packed starting hours before the ceremony and again when the ceremony wraps up.

Additionally, a planned “No Kings” rally is set to take place at the UW Red Square around the same time as the commencement ceremony. It is unclear if the protestors plan to stay on the campus or march to Husky Stadium. Another “No Kings” rally is planned at Cal Anderson Park. Both are scheduled between noon and 3 p.m., Saturday.

There are many other “No Kings” rallies around the region. Click to see if there is one near you.

I-405 closure

As far as road closures go, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is shutting down all northbound lanes on Interstate-405 (I-405) between Sunset Boulevard in Renton to Coal Creek Parkway in Factoria. This is another chapter in the .

The detour route will send most drivers onto Coal Creek Parkway. This route is not designed to withstand freeway traffic, and drivers can expect it to be packed throughout most of the weekend, especially during peak hours. WSDOT suggests taking alternate routes over the weekend, like I-5, or traveling during non-peak hours.

All northbound lanes on I-405 will shut down at 10 p.m., Friday, through 4 a.m., Monday.

I-90 overnight closure

WSDOT will close all eastbound lanes on Interstate-90 (I-90) across Lake Washington for tunnel maintenance. Routine check-ups in the Mount Baker and Mercer Lid tunnels will shut down all lanes between Seattle and Mercer Island starting Friday at 10 p.m. between 6 a.m. Saturday.

Drivers’ only option crossing the lake during this closure will be eastbound State Route 520 (SR 520), which is a toll bridge.

State Route 516 closure

Eastbound State Route 516 (SR 516) in SeaTac will be fully closed between SR 99 and Military Road South from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday. The I-5 north 5 exit to SR 516 will also close Saturday, June 14, through the morning of Sunday, June 15. The closure will allow crews to pave and stripe SR 516 to accommodate an expanded interchange opening later this summer.

Eastbound drivers on SR 516 will be detoured onto I-5 south to South 272nd Street, then routed back onto I-5 north and exit at South 200th Street/Military Road South and follow a signed detour back to SR 516. Northbound I-5 drivers wishing to exit SR 516 will also follow a signed detour.

The reconfigured SR 516/I-5 interchange will include new signals, multimodal improvements, and a new Veterans Drive South underpass to help people travel through the interchange safely and efficiently.

This work is part of the .

SR 516 closure information

Friday, June 13, through the morning of Monday, June 16, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., all lanes of SR 516 east will close between SR 99 and Military Road South. A signed detour will be in place.

I-5 ramp closure information

Saturday, June 14, through the morning of Sunday, June 15, from 11 p.m. to 3:30 a.m., the northbound I-5 exit to SR 516 will close overnight. A signed detour will be in place.

Soccer, baseball

Seattle will also be packed with sports fans, as 150,000 will visit for the 10-day , starting this weekend—not to be confused with the. If you are attending any of the matches, plan on full-capacity trains and buses headed to Lumen Field, and allow plenty of extra time to get there.

The Seattle Sounders will play 3 out of the 6 matches, with their first game on Sunday.

The Seattle Mariners play at home and will bring an estimated 120,000 fans over Father’s Day Weekend.

Sound Transit

Sound Transit will add bus and train services to accommodate the busy weekend, and remind passengers to check the schedule ahead of time for any potential changes.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> Seattle weekend commute... ‘A unique spot’: Everything you need to know about Sea-Tac’s new checkpoint /chokepoints/sea-tacs-new-checkpoint/4096723 Sat, 07 Jun 2025 00:32:08 +0000 /?p=4096723 The Seattle-Tacoma International (Sea-Tac) Airport had its busiest year in 2025 with 52.6 million passengers traveling between 30 different airlines.

During peak travel times, it was common to see lengthy lines stacking up at the security checkpoints. Sea-Tac had to address this before it got out of hand. Unfortunately, there wasn’t room to expand the airport building to add a spacious checkpoint, so staff had to get creative. That’s when the idea of transforming baggage claim 1 into checkpoint 1 was born.

Checkpoint 1 is located at the international flights gate and is the first security checkpoint on the lower level-baggage claim. The checkpoint is advantageous in a number of ways—close proximity to international flights, a quick way to get through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening, and an option to avoid the busy checkpoints on the upper level.

Lauren Dunphy, Director of Operations, told Xվ Newsradio this project was five years in the making.

“I’ve been at the port for five and a half years, and they were talking about it when I walked in the door,” she shared.

Advantages of using Sea-Tac’s new checkpoint

Dunphy explained the benefits of Checkpoint 1.

“This is a unique spot, particularly for our travelers who are in the know,” she said. “It’s kind of a super fast door to security, when the upper drives are busy, during our peak departure times. Customers who are being dropped off can come down to the arrivals and come in at the very far south end and go directly to a checkpoint if they’re travel ready and don’t need to check a bag and already have their boarding pass, they can come right on in and speed through security here.”

If you do have to check luggage, you will need to go to the upper-level ticket counters, as there aren’t any on the lower level.

A couple of new features that help expedite travelers through Checkpoint 1 are the latest version of Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2). Passengers who opt for CAT-2 will have their photo taken and their identification scanned. Once the facial matching technology confirms a match, the passenger can continue through security. CAT-2 also has the passenger’s ticket information, confirmed through facial technology, negating the need to show a boarding pass.

New technology at the checkpoint

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Another new TSA feature is the state-of-the-art body scanners. This new version features a flat-panel body scanner with an open design, instead of an enclosure. It uses millimeter wave technology that detects any object that doesn’t match a person’s body contour. For example, a phone, wallet, or even a razor blade will show up as a foreign contour object.

However, the body scanners and CAT-2 are optional. If a passenger declines those procedures, they can check in the “old-fashioned” way by showing their boarding pass and walking through the metal detector.

Once through screening at the new checkpoint, travelers will choose the easiest way to get to their gate or concourse. They’ll find flight information displays on a landing between escalators that lead straight up to the A gates, or down to catch the SEA Underground to the S gates or the north end concourses.

Checkpoint 1 offers five general screening lanes, with the potential for TSA PreCheck and SEA Spot Saver in the future. This brings the total number of screening lanes at SEA to 33. Checkpoint 6, when fully opened, will provide an additional six lanes, two in late summer and the rest before Thanksgiving.

Don’t miss the art displays

Along with being more efficient, the checkpoint is also more aesthetically pleasing.

More than 20 new pieces of art are showcased as part of Sea-Tac’s ever-increasing art collection—one of the largest airport collections in the country. A dramatic set of glass cases outlines the edge of the new checkpoint, displaying public art to travelers inside and outside the checkpoint.

And Sea-Tac still has local musicians performing throughout the airport, adding to the ambience as you relax before your flight.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

]]> sea-tac's new checkpoint (2)... Colossal closures could challenge drivers this weekend in and around Seattle /chokepoints/closures-seattle-weekend/4094353 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:05:30 +0000 /?p=4094353 The busy construction season is upon us and this weekend drivers will be tested with three major closures between Everett, Seattle, and near North Bend.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is in the middle of repairing and repaving the network of bridges between Everett and Marysville, including the Snohomish River Bridge, the Steamboat Slough Bridge, and the Ebey Slough Bridge.

This weekend work moves to the Steamboat Slough Bridge in the southbound direction. Originally built in 1927, this section of bridge will undergo rehabilitation work on the end lift upper wheels and the movable span, which have deteriorated over the years from the marine environment.

Other preservation work involves seismic retrofitting, repaving and replacing panels on the bridge deck, and a fresh coat of protective paint.

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This project will close State Route 529 (SR 529) southbound between the Ebey Slough and Steamboat Slough beginning Friday, May 30th at 11 p.m. through Tuesday, June 3rd at 11 p.m.

During this closure drivers can only access Smith Island via northbound SR 529, but can leave the island via north and south SR 529.

WSDOT plans a similar closure next weekend between Friday, June 6th and Tuesday, June 10th.

What about Seattle?

This weekend’s scheduled closure at the Ballard Bridge has been , but the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will still close the Leary Way Bridge at the north end of the Ballard Bridge.

People driving south on 15th Ave NW will need to travel down to Leary Way NW, then use the on-ramp to access the Ballard Bridge. People traveling north from Interbay via the Ballard Bridge will need to exit down to Leary Way NW using the off-ramp to continue into Ballard.

SDOT suggests to take the Aurora Bridge as a detour route to avoid increased traffic.

There is a weekend closure on the Ballard Bridge scheduled for next weekend.

State Route 18/Interstate 90 Interchange

WSDOT is moving forward on the behemoth through early Wednesday morning.

Both directions of State Route 18 (SR 18)will close under the I-90 bridges from 9 p.m. Thursday, May 29, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, for construction of the diverging diamond interchange.

People can detour using eastbound and westbound I-90 and using adjacent interchanges to loop around — exit 20 (High Point Way) or exit 22 (Preston-Fall City) to the west of SR 18 and exit 27 (Southeast North Bend Way) to the east of SR 18.

Additionally, SR 18 will be reduced to a single lane with flaggers and pilot vehicles alternating traffic from 9 p.m. Sunday, June 1, to 5 a.m. Monday, June 2, near the Raging River and Deep Creek bridges to shift eastbound SR 18 traffic onto the new bridges.

]]> The overpass above Leary Way N.W. is shut down all weekend long. (Photo: Seattle Dept. of Transport... Memorial Day travel: 40 million hitting the road—here’s what WA drivers need to know /chokepoints/memorial-day-weekend/4089620 Tue, 20 May 2025 12:38:33 +0000 /?p=4089620 Memorial Day Weekend is often referred to as the “unofficial start to summer,” with many Americans coming out of their winter hibernation and traveling to visit family or sunny destinations.

According to AAA, an estimated 45 million Americans will travel over the holiday weekend, with nearly 90% opting to drive.

Locally, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) generates on some of the busiest highways. The graphs depict peak travel times and can help you avoid lengthy backups, some taking hours to clear.

Snoqualmie Pass is the busiest cross-state route and typically has heavier-than-normal traffic Friday through Sunday on eastbound Interstate 90 (I-90), with all that traffic coming back to Seattle on Monday. For drivers commuting on I-90, you can keep up on traffic alerts by texting “WSDOT Snoqualmie” to 468311.

Eastern WA delays and backups

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In Eastern Washington, construction will be put on hold at the Vantage Bridge during the holiday weekend, opening up all lanes. Most construction projects across the state will pause as well to ease congestion.

Travelers on the Washington State Ferries should brace for heavy volumes and delays westbound between Thursday and Saturday. On Sunday and Monday, those travelers will be headed back home, delaying eastbound travel. Remember, you can bypass the delays if you walk on and leave the car behind. Click to keep up on all the latest ferry information, including ticket information, travel times, real-time data, and travel alerts.

If you’re traveling aboard or hopping on a plane at , be sure to arrive early to avoid any unexpected delays, and don’t forget your or passport.

For those staying close to home, be sure to check your route before you head out and remember that most transit services will operate on a holiday schedule on Memorial Day.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> memorial day weekend... Traffic alert: WSDOT postpones 5-day closure, some weekend work due to weather /chokepoints/get-ready-for-traffic-wsdot-rolling-out-major-shutdowns-across-western-wa/4087652 Thu, 15 May 2025 12:00:41 +0000 /?p=4087652 Drivers will want to plan ahead as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is rolling out several closures over the weekend and spilling into next week. However, WSDOT announced some closures have been postponed due to weather.

State Route 18 closure at I-90 postponed

Drivers along State Route 18 (SR 18) at I-90 will see big changes following a 5-day closure at this busy interchange near the city of Snoqualmie. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) decided on this unprecedented closure to tackle a number of projects at once, as opposed to taking a series of weekend closures to address the next phase of the sometime after Memorial Day.

Crews will install new drainage and electrical crossings, pave the new roadway, and construct concrete islands to form the southern part of the new I-90/SR 18 diverging diamond interchange.

However, work on the left turn pocket for traffic from westbound SR 18 onto Southeast 104th Street, as well as the signalized U-turn south of I-90 (which will allow eastbound SR 18 traffic to head westbound toward Auburn), has been postponed for rain. Both of these features will be operational when SR 18 reopens on Wednesday, May 21.

During the closure, there will be no access on SR 18 underneath the I-90 overpass. Drivers will be able to access Snoqualmie Parkway from westbound I-90 only, and accessing SR 18 will only be open from eastbound I-90. Detours will be in place.

This extended closure starts Thursday, May 15 at 9 p.m. to Wednesday, May 21 at 5 a.m.

Lane and ramp closures on I-405 in Renton postponed

The one-lane reduction on southbound Eventually, crews will close one lane between Northeast 44th Street and Northeast 30th Street while they work to realign and repave the Northeast 30th Street on, and off-ramps. This work will fully close the on-ramp to southbound I-405 and the off-ramp from southbound I-405 at Northeast 30th Street.

Closures begin Friday at 11 p.m. to Monday, May 19, at 4 a.m. Detours will be in place. Drivers should expect heavy delays through Renton, with added freight traffic due to the closure at the SR 18 and I-90 interchange.

State Route 529 closures on the Snohomish River Bridge

Unlike the past couple of weekends, there will be 12-hour closures on Saturday and Sunday on northbound State Route 529 (SR 529) for bridge maintenance, including repair to bridge girders. This work will not affect southbound SR 529. Daily closures are scheduled between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Westbound I-90 closure between Mercer Island and Seattle

All westbound lanes on I-90 will close between Island Crest Way on Mercer Island to Rainier Avenue South in Seattle for routine maintenance inside the Mercer Tunnel and the Mount Baker Tunnel. Routine maintenance typically includes fire suppression testing, testing emergency systems, replacing bulbs, and overall cleaning.

Westbound I-90 lanes will begin closing Friday, May 16, at 8:30 p.m., with all lanes closed by 10 p.m. All ramps along this route will also close, with all lanes and ramps reopened by 6 a.m., Saturday, May 17. This leaves westbound SR 520 as the only route across Lake Washington during this closure.

Northeast 85th Street closure at I-405 in Kirkland

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Both directions of Northeast 85th Street will fully close between Kirkland and Totem Lake to allow WSDOT crews to perform a number of big projects, including demolishing the old bridges and noise walls, repaving ramps, and installing new gas lines and a waterline.

The closure—between 114th Avenue Northeast (Kirkland) and 120th Avenue Northeast (Totem Lake)—begins Friday, May 16, at 11 p.m. to Monday, May 19, at 5 a.m.

Click to see the detours this weekend.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> WSDOT shutdowns I-405Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project... All aboard! First ST3 light rail opens in Redmond Saturday with ribbon cutting, celebration /chokepoints/redmond-st3-light-rail/4085162 Thu, 08 May 2025 21:01:41 +0000 /?p=4085162 The public is invited to join in the festivities at Downtown Redmond Station on Saturday for the first ST3 light rail. Trains will begin serving the new stations as soon as the ribbon is cut around noon. Community events will follow from noon to 4 p.m.

Join the community, leaders, and contributors from across the region on May 10 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate two new stations on the 2 Line. The 3.4-mile, two-station extension of the 2 Line is the first ST3 light rail project to open.

At 10:30 a.m., a speaking program will kick off the day at Downtown Redmond Station (16620 NE 76th St., Redmond, WA 98052), followed by a ribbon cutting. Trains will begin picking up passengers at Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village stations shortly after the ribbon is cut around noon.

Marymoor Village Station

At Marymoor Village Station, join OneRedmond Foundation to see diverse local performance groups, community booths, touch-a-trucks, food trucks, commemorative giveaways, and more.

Downtown Redmond Station

At Downtown Redmond Station, join Move Redmond for a stroll or roll along Redmond’s Central Connector Trail from the train station to the park. All along the trail, you’ll find local vendors, live music, tasty food, and family-friendly fun.

Highlights include:

  • Music, dancing, and a fashion show hosted by Africans on the Eastside.
  • Move Redmond’s Station Access Map.
  • Group bike rides to the event hosted by Eastrail Partners.
  • A light rail-themed bounce house.
  • Crafts, beading, and more.

More information on the Downtown Redmond Link Extension, including station details and opening day activities, is available on .

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his storieshere. Submit news tipshere.

]]> Redmond ST3 light rail... Weekend road work roundup: Major closures to hit Ballard Bridge, I-5 /chokepoints/road-work-ballard-bridge-i-5/4080168 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 21:57:51 +0000 /?p=4080168 The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will close both directions of the Ballard Bridge from 10 p.m. Friday, April 25, to 5 a.m. Monday, April 28. This closure allows contractors to resume the which began last fall. The goal is to upgrade parts of the 108-year-old bridge that spans Salmon Bay. Several weekend closures will be necessary to complete the work, and this weekend marks the first of four confirmed dates, with two additional weekends scheduled as backups if needed.

With the bridge closed, traffic will shift to surface streets between Ballard, Queen Anne Hill, and Fremont. Drivers can expect congestion in these areas as approximately 48,000 daily commuters seek alternate routes. The University and Fremont bridges will carry much of the overflow traffic, while State Route 99 (Aurora Avenue) and Interstate 5 (I-5) are also expected to see increased volumes. These changes could affect weekend travel, including trips to Seattle Mariners games.

State Route 520 / Montlake Boulevard

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WSDOT crews will continue work on a new temporary off-ramp from eastbound State Route 520 (SR 520) to Montlake Boulevard. The ramp is being constructed next to the existing one, which will be closed for safety from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This work is part of the SR 520 which began in November 2024.

During the closure, eastbound drivers on SR 520 will be directed across Lake Washington, where they’ll need to pay a toll. To avoid the toll, WSDOT recommends using Interstate 90 as an alternate route.

State Route 18 / Interstate 90 Interchange

Drivers traveling on State Route 18 (SR 18) will not be able to access westbound Interstate 90 (I-90) over the weekend. WSDOT crews will be relocating a barrier, repaving, and repainting the on-ramp as part of the The closure will be in effect from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, with a detour in place for drivers during this time. The project is expected to be completed this summer.

Interstate 405 / Northeast 85th Street Interchange

In Kirkland, WSDOT will continue work at the I-405 and in preparation for a major traffic switch onto a new bridge. Drivers should expect significant lane and ramp closures throughout the weekend.

On northbound I-405, up to three lanes will be closed between SR 520 and NE 85th Street from 10 p.m. Friday to 4:30 a.m. Monday. Southbound I-405 will also see up to three lane closures overnight between NE 124th Street and NE 85th Street, starting 9:30 p.m. Sunday and ending 4:30 a.m. Monday.

Ramp closures include the northbound I-405 on- and off-ramps at NE 85th Street from 10 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Sunday. The southbound I-405 off-ramp to NE 85th Street will close twice: from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, and again from 10 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday.

During these closures, the Express Toll Lanes (ETL) will be open to all drivers regardless of registration or payment status.

Nisqually River Bridge

WSDOT crews will conduct a scheduled inspection of the Nisqually River Bridge on southbound I-5 this weekend. To complete the work, crews will use a specialized inspection truck that extends over the bridge’s edges and beneath the deck. This will require lane closures between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Drivers should expect slowdowns and potential backups during those hours.

]]> Photo: The Ballard Bridge.... Work Zone Awareness Week honors 61 WSDOT employees killed on the job /chokepoints/work-zone-awareness-week/4079271 Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:00:42 +0000 /?p=4079271 This week, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), along with the Washington State Patrol (WSP), addressed the importance of safety on our state’s highways. Every April, WSDOT promotes a month-long reminding drivers of the importance of slowing down through work zones.

Last year, WSDOT and WSP saw a 17% increase in work zone crashes compared to the previous year, rising from 1,377 in 2023 to 1,607 in 2024. The largest increase was seen in serious injury crashes, which rose by 36 percent during the past year, with the vast majority of those injuries involving drivers and passengers.

Since 1950, there have been 61 work zone-related deaths, with distracted driving, excessive speed, and following too closely reported as the top three causes. The WSDOT campaign reminds drivers that the safety concern isn’t solely about contract workers on the ground; it also includes members of the WSP and the Incident Response Team (IRT) lending help to drivers.

WSDOT Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith said giving traffic crews the space they need can make all the difference.

“Our incidents response teams are the helpers of our agency, the ones who show up on someone’s very bad day and help turn it around, whether they’re clearing a stalled vehicle, providing traffic control for an incident, or offering a reassuring presence while aid arrives, they make a real difference every day,” she shared. “As secretary, nothing is more important to me than safety, the safety of our crews, our contractors, our first responders, and also the traveling public.”

Meredith added that she is pleased with the launch of the new work zone speed camera program.

“I’m very happy to have launched our work zone speed camera program earlier this month. This program is about changing driver behavior and keeping everyone safe in our work zones. Every year, too many of our crew are faced with making split-second decisions because of driver inattention, speeding, or reckless behavior,” she said. “Today, we remember those 61 WSDOT employees who have lost their lives working to keep our roads open, our transportation systems running, and our communities connected.”

Speed Camera Program highlighted during Work Zone Awareness Week

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is the first of its kind in Washington State, debuting near Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), where a high volume of high-risk drivers have been reported through a major work zone in the area. Five more cameras are expected to roll out through the summer, with a total of 15 cameras by 2027.

Dennis Smith, WSDOT IRT Superintendent, spoke on behalf of his team, stating how important it is to respect road crews as they are our neighbors and friends.

“Every single day, our incident response team puts themselves in harm’s way so the rest of us can get home safely, because behind every safety vest, every incident response truck is a real person. These aren’t just operators. They’re parents, coaches. They are neighbors,” Smith said. “They volunteer in your schools, shop in the same grocery stores, and cheer from the sidelines at Little League games, just like you. And every time they step out onto a highway to clear a crash or help a driver, they are trusting the rest of us to look out for them.”

In 2024, Smith shared some figures about his IRT team, noting that in the northwest region alone, 42 team members handled 25,721 incidents. These operators often work just feet from traffic moving at 60 to 70 miles per hour. They cover some of the state’s busiest highways, including I-5, I-405, I-90, and state routes 167 and 18, patrolling thousands of lane miles throughout the area. They’re always on call—24/7.

80 WSP vehicles hit by drivers in 2024

Lieutenant Noel of the Washington State Patrol highlighted the dangers troopers face throughout the state.

“Just last year, 80 of our patrol vehicles were hit by drivers, causing about $750,000 in damages. Out of those, 37 were parked in what qualifies as emergency work zones. That number may sound high, but it only represents a small piece of the broader issue of work zone safety,” said Noel. “We’re proud of our partnership with the State Department of Transportation, and together we’re committed to protecting these zones—but we can’t do it on our own. We rely on the public to slow down and stay alert.

Our strategy focuses on three key areas: raising awareness through events like this, educating drivers through ‘move over’ campaigns, and enforcing the laws that require drivers to either slow down by 10 miles per hour below the speed limit or safely move over when approaching work zones.”

He concluded by saying, “We need everyone’s cooperation to protect these workers. They’re more than just workers—they’re our loved ones, our friends, our neighbors. They’re real people, and it takes a team effort to ensure their safety.”

WSDOT’s month-long Work Zone Safety Awareness campaign includes:

  • National Work Zone Awareness Week: April 21–25 also recognizes the start of the busy construction season and encourages drivers to be attentive and drive safely through work zones.
  • Go Orange Day: Wednesday, April 23, WSDOT employees will don orange-colored attire as part of the national safety campaign.
  • National Moment of Silence: At 9 a.m. on Friday, April 25, WSDOT will take part in a moment of silence to remember the people who lost their lives in work zone-related incidents.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

]]> work zone awareness week... Washington unleashes first-ever work zone highway speed camera /chokepoints/speed-camera-washington/4076165 Wed, 16 Apr 2025 12:00:59 +0000 /?p=4076165 Drivers on I-5 through DuPont will now see a trailer-mounted camera on the shoulder at the Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange work zone. It is the first on Washington State’s highways. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is hopeful the camera will encourage drivers to slow down in work zones.

The location was chosen due to ongoing safety concerns for WSDOT contractors.

“Too many workers have been injured or killed, and statistics show drivers are not slowing down,” Julie Meredith, Secretary of Transportation, said. “This provides another tool to help ensure workers—and everyone on the roadway—come home safe at the end of the day.”

According to WSDOT, Washington has averaged 1,345 work zone crashes each year since 2020.

This has prompted enforcement with speed cameras using light detection and ranging, or LiDAR, to detect vehicles traveling faster than the posted speed limit. If a vehicle is traveling too fast, an image will be taken of the vehicle and license plate but not the driver. From there, the information is passed on to the Washington State Patrol (WSP), which will determine if a violation was committed.

What happens if drivers get a ticket from the speed camera?

Since this is a brand-new program, drivers caught traveling above the posted work zone speed limit will get one free pass. However, the second and any infraction after that will carry a $248 fine.

When someone receives a notice of infraction, they will be directed to the program’s website to acknowledge the incident. The vehicle’s registered owner must respond to the notice of infraction online or through the mail, even if it carries no financial penalty. The infractions are recorded as non-moving violations and do not affect driving records or insurance. Unpaid fines will be added to vehicle registration renewals.

Understandably, there will be drivers who may want to contest an infraction, and they are welcome to go through the appeals process.

The Washington Office of Administrative Hearings will oversee appeals for infractions. After filing an appeal, individuals can submit supporting evidence, such as photographs or other documents, for the judge to consider. Depending on the nature of the appeal, they will have either a brief adjudicative proceeding, which involves only documents, or a formal adjudicative hearing, where they can also provide testimony by phone to a judge.

Amy Moreno with WSDOT said this is a safety mechanism and not at all intended to issue tickets.

“We’re just hoping by getting everybody to reduce their speeds, (this) will hopefully save a few lives, and these cameras are just there to get people to slow down,” she said. “We would love it if we never issued a single infraction. There will be plenty of signs out there warning people. They will only enforce when there are active workers in the work zone. They will not be there enforcing when people are not working in the work zone.”

Money from infractions goes back to program, DUI enforcement

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The work zone speed camera enforcement will, undoubtedly, generate funds through infractions. So, where will the money go?

“The money generated from these cameras will actually go back into supporting the program, and any extra money goes to DUI enforcement and other safety programs for the Washington State Patrol,” Moreno said. “This program is about safety—trying to save lives for drivers and for those who work in our work zones.”

The plan is to have six more mobile cameras by summer, rotating them throughout busy work zones, including the one near the and the

“This program starts on Wednesday, but it’s going to go on for years to come,” Moreno explained. “The legislature has approved this for five years, and it could be re-approved down the line. We’re just asking people, if you see a work zone, please slow down—consider your own safety and the safety of the workers who are out there.”

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

]]> work zone speed camera (1)... Headed to an event this weekend? You may be stuck in road work /chokepoints/headed-to-an-event-this-weekend-you-may-be-stuck-in-road-work/4074931 Sat, 12 Apr 2025 12:35:14 +0000 /?p=4074931 With the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival underway and a full deck of sports in Seattle, the roads will be packed. Here are some of the projects taking place this weekend that you will want to avoid or plan on adding time to your commute.

Everett: Northbound SR 529

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close all northbound lanes of State Route 529 (SR 529) at the Steamboat Slough for WSDOT will provide a shuttle service to carry pedestrians, cyclists, and mobility device users around the closure.

Drivers will still be able to access Smith Island from northbound SR 529, but will only be able to leave the island on southbound SR 529 during the weekend closure between 9:30 p.m., Friday, through 5 a.m., Monday.

Drivers should prepare for added volumes on northbound Interstate 5 (I-5) through Everett all weekend.

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Kirkland: Southbound I-405

WSDOT crews continue to make progress with the . This weekend will require the closure of 2 lanes southbound on Interstate 405 (I-405) between NE 124th Street and NE 85th Street. Crews will prepare the roadway for the southbound traffic switch to the new bridge in the coming weeks.

During the lane reductions, the Express Toll Lanes (ETLs) will be open to all drivers. Heads up: at a later date, the general-purpose lanes of southbound I-405 will shift to the new bridge during an overnight lane reduction, with the southbound ETLs shifting shortly after. Those dates have yet to be confirmed by WSDOT.

This project runs between 10:30 p.m., Friday through 6:30 a.m., Monday. Drivers headed to Seattle for games this weekend will need to add plenty of extra time to your commute.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Drivers traveling westbound on State Route 16 (SR 16) from Tacoma could see late night back ups. A section of highway will need 2 consecutive overnight closures to address expansion joint seals.

7 p.m. Friday, April 11 until 5 a.m. Saturday, April 12

  • Two left lanes approaching the bridge, including the HOV lane, will close.

7 p.m. Saturday, April 12 until 5 a.m. Sunday, April 13

  • Two right lanes approaching the bridge will close.
  • Jackson Avenue on-ramp to westbound SR 16 will close.
  • During the work, the HOV lane will remain open to all travelers.

These repairs are to the surface of the road at the east approach and does not include any bridge work itself.

Dupont: I-5 closure at Steilacoom-Dupont Road

If you happened to get stuck in this closure last weekend, this weekend is a repeat.

WSDOT crews need one final weekend to of the new overpass at I-5 and Steilacoom-Dupont Road. This massive undertaking involves placing steel beams over 50-yards in length and weighing over 200,000 pounds each over the busy freeway.

Most of the work was accomplished last weekend, but there’s still more to do. To safely guide these girders in place WSDOT needs to close the freeway in both directions at the work zone.

Overnight Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12, crews will reduce travel lanes in both directions of I-5 to a single lane. That up and over the Steilacoom-DuPont Road off- and on-ramps. Law enforcement will be in place to assist with traffic control at both the northbound and southbound I-5 ramps.

  • I-5 lane closures start at 8 p.m.
  • At 10 p.m. one lane will begin using the off- and on-ramps at Steilacoom-DuPont Road.

Lanes begin reopening at 6 a.m. Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13

During these hours WSDOT recommends:

  • Add at least one hour of extra travel time.
  • Consider postponing or rescheduling discretionary trips.
  • If possible, travel before or after the work.

WSF: Sunday Bike Ride on Vashon Island

Sunday, April 13, plan for possible delays and limited vehicle capacity on our Vashon Island routes as hundreds of bicyclists cross the island for the .

The heaviest bike traffic is expected:

  • Departing Point Defiance: 9:15 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.
  • Vashon to Fauntleroy sailings: Midday through the afternoon

If you’re driving onto the ferry, please plan ahead for delays or consider alternate travel times or routes.

Take transit to all your sporting events in Seattle

    • Seattle Reign FCwill have a match at 4:30 p.m.on Saturday at;
    • TheSeattle Marinerswill play Friday and Saturday at 6:40 p.m. and on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. at;
    • TheKrakenwill play on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the;
  • will start theonSaturday,April 12 with the return of late-night weekend service to West Seattle

]]> Expect 'Lengthy delays' on I-405 in Kirkland this weekend. (Photo Credit: WSDOT)...