A listener asked me about that exact situation last week, and I decided to find out the answer.

Tommy hit me up on the 97.3 成人X站 FM text line last week and sent me this picture from the Scatter Creek rest area on I-5, north of Grand Mound. The pictures show about a dozen people, most in reflective WSDOT vests, watching one person working in a grassy area.

WSDOT Construction Training (Photo: courtesy of Chris Sullivan)

Tommy asked me what I could find out about what was happening. He was concerned that so many public employees appeared to be standing around when they could have been working.

Why WSDOT workers were just standing around

My initial thought was that this was a training session, but I reached out to WSDOT for confirmation.

WSDOT was testing out a new multi-functional lawn mower that also sweeps and plows bike lanes. It was also testing a remote-controlled mower. Any members of the WSDOT team who might end up using the equipment were invited. WSDOT wanted to get feedback from its workers on the equipment before deciding whether to buy it. So, this was a training session.

And I think this is a perfect example of how I want Chokepoints to work. I鈥檒l take any question and find out the answer if I can. It can be something really simple like this, or something major.

Just reach out. There are no silly questions.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for 成人X站 Newsradio. Read more of his stories聽here.聽Follow 成人X站 Newsradio traffic on聽.

State Route 18 closure at I-90

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

Crews will install new drainage and electrical crossings, pave the new roadway, and build concrete islands that will form the southern portion of the new I-90/SR 18 diverging diamond interchange. Work also includes building a left turn pocket for traffic turning from westbound SR 18 onto Southeast 104th Street and a signalized U-turn south of I-90 that will allow eastbound SR 18 traffic to head westbound toward Auburn. Both 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

Beginning Friday, May 16, I-405 south will be reduced by one lane between Northeast 44th Street and Northeast 30th Street while crews working for WSDOT realign and repave the . 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

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鈥攂etween 114th Avenue Northeast (Kirkland) and 120th Avenue Northeast (Totem Lake)鈥攂egins Friday, May 16, at 11 p.m. to Monday, May 19, at 5 a.m.

Click to see the detours this weekend.

Law enforcement reported that the woman may have been intoxicated at the time of the crash. She was taken to a nearby hospital, and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper John Dattilo said the crash happened around 1:30 a.m. when the woman’s car slammed into a traffic control trailer and a dump truck. The force of the impact sent the trailer catapulting forward, striking a nearby construction worker. The injured worker is in serious condition, as of this reporting.

“A car was traveling southbound and struck a traffic control trailer, a sign flew through the air and struck a construction worker who was on-site working,” Dattilo said. “The vehicle then continued and then struck a trailer that was attached to a dump truck and immediately burst into flames. Some good Samaritans on scene were able to pull the driver from the vehicle before it was fully engulfed.”

Troopers, , and are on scene with a car vs construction zone serious injury collision on SR 7 at 188th. Both directions of SR 7 are blocked.

鈥� Trooper John Dattilo (@wspd1pio)

Woman arrested after fiery crash injures worker

Immediately after the crash, the car caught fire. Witnesses rushed to help and pulled the driver from the burning vehicle before she was taken to a local hospital. Her condition has not been released.

Emergency crews from WSP, the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and Central Pierce Fire & Rescue responded to the scene. The crash is still under investigation.

鈥淥ur road construction workers risk their lives for the safety and benefit of others, especially at night, when visibility is low,” Dattilo added. “They鈥檙e away from their families, working long overnight hours. Crashes like this are completely avoidable. Someone chose to drive under the influence, and that decision nearly cost a life. It鈥檚 unacceptable.”

State Route 18 (SR 18) closes at 9 p.m. Thursday and won’t reopen until 5 a.m. next Wednesday. That’s slightly more than for drivers who just want to use SR 18 under I-90 in Snoqualmie.

“If you’re heading northbound on SR 18, you’re going to have to get on eastbound I-90, and if you’re headed southbound on Snoqualmie Parkway, you’re going to have to get on westbound I-90,” said David Rasbach, the construction communicator for the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

Westbound I-90 drivers will not be able to access southbound SR 18. Eastbound I-90 drivers will not be able to head up Snoqualmie Parkway. You will have to go to the next exit and loop around.

“Definitely expect extra time, plus you’ve got to factor in the little extra distance you have to travel for the detours looping out to the next interchanges,” Rasbach said.

And this might not be the only major full closure of SR 18 in this area. The contractor still needs some extended time to build the north end of the interchange.

“That is still to be determined,” Rasbach said. “That will either be another longer closure or a series of shorter closures. We’re still determining what will be the best way for that.”

The entire interchange, which is a , is on schedule to open this summer. The widening of SR 18 just south of I-90 should wrap up in the fall.

Big changes are coming over next few weeks

“We are anticipating moving traffic onto the new Deep Creek and Raging River bridges in the next few weeks, early June, perhaps, so that will be a big milestone for this project,” he said.

And a big change is coming for drivers. This will be the second completed diverging diamond interchange in the region, and it should make a huge difference.

“The whole reason we’re building the diverging diamond interchange is to improve traffic flow through this busy corridor, which is one of the busiest interchanges in the state.”

Once this work is complete, WSDOT will start on the down the west slope of Tiger Mountain to the Issaquah-Hobart Road.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for 成人X站 Newsradio. Read more of his stories聽here.聽Follow 成人X站 Newsradio traffic on聽.

WSP Trooper John Datillo confirmed the driver who caused the crash died at the scene. A patrol car from either Mason or Kitsap County was hit, along with several other vehicles.

“As far as I know, no serious injuries to that law enforcement officer,” Datillo told 成人X站 Newsradio.

Troopers and are in scene with a multi-vehicle collision on SR 3 at NE Roessel Rd. Traffic is alternating on SR 3, expect long delays if traveling through the area.

鈥� Trooper Katherine Weatherwax (@wspd8pio)

The crash resulted in one of the vehicles involved ending up at the Belfair Elementary parking lot. No injuries at the school have been reported, and classes have remained in session.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. WSP said that SR 3 remains partially closed.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

I know the Mariners are hotter than Hansel right now. I know it’s college night, and there are sweet neon green hats as a giveaway. But, please, please, please, none of that is worth your life.

Check out this video of fans before the game on April 29.

I know the 鈦︹仼 are hot, but there is no reason to do this while heading to a game. Do not climb over stopped trains (shot 4/29/25 on Holgate).

鈥� Chris Sullivan (@NEWSGUYSULLY)

My mouth hit the floor almost immediately while I was watching. When did jumping across trains to get to the stadium become normal?

People jumping across trains to get to Mariners games

I understand that being stuck behind a train is a pain, but this is not a good idea. That train could lurch suddenly, and next thing you know, you’re under the wheels and one of the 500 people a year who are killed by trespassing along tracks or climbing onto cars.

And don’t forget, another train could be crossing the adjacent tracks. It’s just not worth it.

And while I’m at it, stop running in front of light rail trains, too.

Listen to聽鈥淪eattle鈥檚 Morning News鈥�聽with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on 成人X站 Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast聽here.

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

But after months of witnessing drivers engrossed in phones, tablets, and even full-on movies, the pair decided enough was enough. One morning, Joe turned to Craig and said, “You know, our friends wouldn’t believe half the things we see unless they saw it themselves. Maybe we should start filming this.”

Initially, it was a joke.

“We figured we’d just send funny Snapchats to our friends,” Craig recalled.

But the reactions from the first few clips made them realize they were onto something much bigger.

“Our friends started telling us these videos shouldn’t just disappear,” Joe said. “They encouraged us to put them on TikTok.”

So began “,” now an internet sensation with nearly half a million followers across social media, including 听补苍诲 . What started as a casual way to vent frustration quickly morphed into something akin to community service, though wrapped in humor and clever commentary.

Sit down with the ‘I-5 Commuters’ team

In their first-ever news interview, exclusively with Seattle Morning News on 成人X站 Newsradio, Joe and Craig shared the secret behind their unexpected popularity: authenticity and relatability. Appearing incognito, with oversized sunglasses and exaggerated mustaches, they humorously explained, “We have real jobs, and our bosses might not be too happy to see us doing interviews.”

Their anonymity added a playful twist, but the issues they address couldn’t be more real.

“It started because we were genuinely frustrated and concerned by how distracted and reckless people were driving,” Joe explained. “It wasn’t just phones; people were literally watching movies, reading books, and playing games behind the wheel.”

The commuters’ videos resonate deeply because they’re both funny and alarming. Take, for instance, a recent viral clip featuring a woman intensely playing Candy Crush in rush-hour traffic.

“Usually, we have jokes ready for these clips,” Craig said, laughing while recalling the moment. “But when we saw her dominating that game, we were honestly too shocked to say anything clever.”

The comedic nature of their videos disguises the seriousness of distracted driving.

“We’re laughing about it because it’s absurd, but the reality is pretty scary,” Craig admitted. “We want people to realize that it’s not just their safety at risk, it’s everyone else’s too.”

While the clips often highlight distracted drivers, they also humorously address other commuting frustrations. In one popular segment, dubbed “Follow Your Fullback,” they mock drivers who weave aggressively through lanes, treating the freeway like a football field.

“People drive like they’re Marshawn Lynch, trying to muscle their way through traffic for maybe two extra minutes of time saved,” Joe explained. “It’s madness.”

Seattle-area commuters love Joe and Craig because they channel the communal frustration that builds up in every traffic jam. But beneath the jokes lies genuine advocacy for safer roads.

“We’ve gotten hundreds of comments from people thanking us for calling out behavior they’ve witnessed for years,” Joe said. “It’s validating to know our content strikes a chord beyond just humor.”

But their success didn’t come overnight.

“We wondered if anyone besides our friends would even care,” Joe said. Then one day, a complete stranger named Matthew commented, “Traffic was really bad today.”

“We were blown away that someone we didn鈥檛 know was actually watching,” Craig recalled.

COVID-19’s impact on traffic, commuting

Encouraged by early interactions like that, they continued posting. Followers steadily grew, fueled by relatable content and Seattle鈥檚 ever-increasing traffic woes. The commuters acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed commuting habits, initially emptying roads and now clogging them again as companies mandate returns to offices.

“We both work in tech,” Joe explained, careful not to give away too much about their identities. “Like many others, we moved out of Seattle during the pandemic. When employers began asking people to return to in-person work, traffic became worse than ever.”

They’ve noticed an alarming escalation in reckless driving post-pandemic.

“When roads emptied during lockdowns, people drove fast and carelessly,” Craig said. “But now that roads are crowded again, many drivers haven’t adjusted. They’re still weaving through traffic and treating I-5 like their personal racetrack.”

Perhaps their most surprising experience is being recognized by fellow commuters.

“It happens all the time now,” Craig said. “Just this morning, a driver we were filming rolled down his window, recognized us, laughed, and waved鈥攕till holding his phone. We shouted, ‘Put the phone down!’ but he just yelled back, ‘I love you guys!'”

“We’re becoming victims of our own success,” Joe added. “People are excited to see us, which ironically encourages distracted driving. It’s hilarious but a bit concerning.”

Has the ‘I-5 Commuters’ duo ever been in danger?

When asked if they’ve ever felt endangered, Joe admitted they’ve had a few close calls.

“We try to keep things humorous rather than confrontational, but we’ve received messages urging caution because road rage incidents can turn violent,” Joe said. “One time, someone even threw a rock at our car.”

To reduce risks, the duo avoids filming certain vehicles, notably lifted trucks with dark window tints.

“You never know what’s happening inside,” Craig noted. “We learned quickly to pick our battles carefully.”

‘I-5 Commuters’ endorses Chris Sullivan

Their journey to fame recently landed them an unexpected role: Unofficial endorsers of 成人X站 Newsradio’s beloved traffic reporter, Chris “Sully” Sullivan. During their interview, Joe enthusiastically praised Sully’s accuracy.

“We were listening on the way here,” Joe shared. “Sully said traffic from Federal Way would take exactly one hour and 15 minutes. We looked at our phones, and there it was鈥攐ne hour, 15 minutes exactly. He’s rock solid.”

Craig added, “We’re pretty tough critics when it comes to traffic reports, so that’s high praise.”

No slowing them down

Looking ahead, Joe and Craig plan to keep documenting I-5’s absurdities.

“It’s honestly turned the worst part of our day into something enjoyable,” Craig said. “We genuinely look forward to our commute now because we know it’ll make someone laugh.”

They feel a responsibility to their growing community of followers.

“People expect content now,” Joe explained. “It feels almost like a public service at this point. We joke about it, but we’re proud our videos might encourage people to think twice before grabbing their phone behind the wheel.”

Despite their rising fame, both insist they’ll maintain their incognito status, partially because it’s fun, but mostly because they’d rather not upset their bosses.

“Our bosses probably wouldn’t love knowing their employees have become minor traffic celebrities,” Joe said with mock seriousness. “So the sunglasses and fake mustaches will stay.”

As their audience grows, the “I-5 Commuters” have no plans to slow down. They’re already considering ways to expand their content while remaining anonymous.

“As long as Seattle traffic stays terrible, we’ll have plenty to talk about,” Craig said.

Until then, expect more viral videos highlighting the best and worst of commuting life. Who knows? Maybe next time you’re stuck on I-5, you might just find yourself starring in their latest post. Just make sure you’re not the one playing Candy Crush.

Listen to聽鈥淪eattle鈥檚 Morning News鈥�聽with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on 成人X站 Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast聽here.

“We’re left with a mystery,” WSDOT spokesperson Doug Adamson said. “We are left with a head-scratcher. This is something we haven’t seen before.”

Despite unknown factors causing the closure, everything above and below the water is working normally

Engineers have a working theory, but it isn’t very satisfying. They believe some sort of debris prevented the bridge from closing normally. That debris was then dislodged when a tug boat pushed the bridge back into place.

“That’s our best educated guess right now,” Adamson said. “It’s a little unsatisfying. It’s like reading a mystery novel and not finding out who the killer is.”

A regularly scheduled maintenance closure will go forward as planned on Thursday. The bridge continues to open and close normally.

“It’s a situation where we’re left saying we don’t know, but we’re in a spot where we’re feeling comfortable enough to keep that bridge open for traffic,” Adamson added.

Hood Canal Bridge reopens after 8-hour 鈥檈mergency closure鈥�

The 鈥渆mergency closure鈥� of the Hood Canal Bridge lasted most of the afternoon and evening on Monday.

WSDOT stated the closure was due to mechanical issues.

鈥淒uring a routine closure for a marine vessel at 1:02 p.m. on Monday, May 5, the bridge experienced a mechanical malfunction,鈥� the agency wrote. 鈥淲ashington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews are working to identify the cause of the malfunction.鈥�

The closure lasted from 1 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., adding approximately three hours to normal travel time while it was closed. Before the bridge reopened, WSDOT recommended that drivers take an alternative route through Shelton via State Route 3 and US 101.

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for 成人X站 Newsradio. Read more of his stories聽here.聽Follow 成人X站 Newsradio traffic on聽.

“That鈥檚 crazy because the other day it was going all the way in the back, so I had to leave,” Anthony Williams told 成人X站 7. “I wasn鈥檛 going to stay in line.”

“I鈥檓 nervous,” Shane Klemisch added. “I have to fly Friday.”

By May 7, Washington residents will need to have a REAL ID鈥攁 state-issued driver’s license or ID card with enhanced security standards outlined by the REAL ID Act of 2005. That act was enacted based on the 9/11 Commission鈥檚 recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver鈥檚 licenses.”

For those trying to fly without one after May 7, passengers could face delays, additional screening, or be turned away from airport security, according to TSA.

“Passengers traveling after this enforcement deadline should either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices,” the TSA stated.

REAL ID-compliant identification cards are marked with a star, usually black or gold, on the top right corner. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated, at a minimum, people must provide documentation that includes your full legal name, your date of birth, your Social Security number, two proofs of address, and lawful immigration status.

TSA doesn鈥檛 require children under 18 to have a REAL ID when they are traveling with companions.

To add to the frustration, scheduling a DOL appointment is becoming increasingly harder as some locations are booked for up to 60 days.

“We don鈥檛 know when we鈥檒l see some relief at our driver licensing offices in the foreseeable future,” Thomas Charlson, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Licensing, told 成人X站 7. “We do have appointments booked out either 45 or 60 days in advance in our urban areas.”

One person told 成人X站 7 News that his wife had waited more than five hours in line to get her enhanced driver鈥檚 license at the Arlington DOL office.

“I couldn鈥檛 believe it frankly. I thought it (the line) was to the end of the building and ‘Oh, that will be OK,’ and I came around to the end of the building, and it鈥檚 around off the other end of the building. It鈥檚 around the back in the alley,” Carol Hackman said.

Other forms of acceptable IDs

There are other forms of ID that can get passengers aboard a flight. State-issued enhanced driver’s licenses (EDL) or enhanced IDs (EID), a聽U.S. passport or a聽U.S. passport card,聽DHS trusted traveler cards,聽U.S. Department of Defense ID (including IDs issued to dependents), a permanent resident card, a border crossing card, photo IDs issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards, a HSPD-12 PIV card, a foreign government-issued passport, a transportation worker identification credential, a U.S. citizenship and immigration services employment authorization card (I-766), a U.S. merchant mariner credential, or a veteran health identification card (VHIC).

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) has confirmed it is prepared to help travelers get on their flights without a REAL ID by offering other identity verification procedures. TSA will even accept expired forms of the above-mentioned IDs by up to two years.

It takes up to 10 business days for the DOL to mail out the new, REAL IDs.

Contributing:

Follow Frank Sumrall .听厂别苍诲听news tips here.

Only the horn of a passing train was capable of drowning out the sound of pile-driving at the new maintenance facility under construction, just south of Holgate in SODO. This is needed so Amtrak can upgrade its trains and streamline maintenance.

Amtrak President Roger Harris visited the site on Friday for the first time.

“It’s really impressive, not only how much work has been done this quickly, but how large the facility is going to be,” he said in the shadow of massive piles being driven into the ground.

Because of the soft and wet soil, workers are de-watering 500,000 gallons from the site a day so they can install 140-foot-long pilings into the ground. When finished, the new 600-foot-long building will be able to accommodate Amtrak’s new , which will debut in Seattle next year.

A little on the road in SoDo visiting 鈦︹仼 鈦︹仼 new maintenance facility. Walked the site with Amtrak President Roger Harris. Hear it Tuesday on 鈦︹仼 and find more details 鈦︹仼

鈥� Chris Sullivan (@NEWSGUYSULLY)

The amenities and frequency of the new Amtrak trains

“It has 5G Wi-Fi,” Harris said. “It has a modern food service car, modern seating, lighting, etc, so the entire customer experience is far more contemporary.”

The new building is designed for these new trains and will make the maintenance process much more efficient.

“The trains will come in every day or so. They get a certain level of maintenance that’s planned in advance,” Harris said. “You don’t have to separate the train, move it to a different building, put it back together, etc. So it’s a much more careful car graph maintenance program, I would say.”

It will also keep the trains and the workers out of the rain.

“In the climate here in the Pacific Northwest, being able to put all the maintenance under cover 24/7 and have an air-conditioned work environment. It is also a substantially better work environment that improves worker productivity,” Harris said.

The new 100,000 square foot maintenance building is expected to open in 2027. It will be the first new maintenance yard to open out of the six Amtrak is building around the country.

Nearly one million people rode the Amtrak Cascades line last year. That’s a 41% increase over ridership in 2023, and has surpassed pre-pandemic ridership numbers in 2019.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for 成人X站 Newsradio. Read more of his stories聽here.聽Follow 成人X站 Newsradio traffic on聽.

WSDOT stated the closure was due to mechanical issues.

“During a routine closure for a marine vessel at 1:02 p.m. on Monday, May 5, the bridge experienced a mechanical malfunction,” the agency wrote. “Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews are working to identify the cause of the malfunction.”

The closure lasted from 1 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., adding approximately three hours to normal travel time while it was closed. Before the bridge reopened, WSDOT recommended that drivers take an alternative route through Shelton via State Route 3 and US 101.

Follow Julia Dallas on聽 Read her stories here. Submit news tips here.

I told you a few weeks ago that the new TSA Checkpoint 1 on the lower level of the terminal should open in early June, and the old, but renamed, Checkpoint 6 at Alaska Airlines should open before Thanksgiving.

The construction on that north end should be done in time for the World Cup next year. Construction on the new four-story high-rise on is going well.

What’s after that? It’s not like the airport isn’t going to see growth in passenger travel after that.

Sea-Tac running out of room

Perry Cooper, the media relations manager for the Port of Seattle, said this work will just about max out the space they have.

“We’re really getting to the point where we don’t have any more place to go with this footprint, this campus spot,” Cooper said.

The airport is only on 2,500 acres. To put that in perspective, Denver International Airport is on 34,000 acres. The plan over the is to build a new terminal to the north.

“Really, our next opportunity is that sustainable airport master plan where we’ll have a second campus, a second terminal to the north end, that will end up relieving some of the congestion we have here in the main terminal,” Cooper said. “That’s really our next space.”

The will go where the current Doug Fox Parking lot is, just north of the cell phone lot, next to the cemetery. There would be a walkway over the expressway to the new terminal.

“We would have a check-in. We’d have new parking there as well too,” Cooper said. “We’d have a people mover connection that would connect it to this terminal as well too. And then we would have 19 new gates that would be built just on that side of it.”

The buildings to the west of the expressway, like the fire department and United Cargo, would be relocated to make room. Plans are still in the development phase. How passengers move between the new terminal hasn’t been decided.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for 成人X站 Newsradio. Read more of his stories聽here.聽Follow 成人X站 Newsradio traffic on聽.

The northbound Steamboat Slough bridge is 98 years old. The southbound bridge is more than 70 years old. It’s time to get inside them and fix the guts.

“They’ve both been around a long time, and they both need to get this work done to make sure that they can continue to function,” Tom Pearce, a communications specialist with the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), said.

Unlike previous weekend closures, these closures will last four days each, from Friday night through Tuesday night.

“The work that our contractor is doing requires four days,” Pearce said. “They need to get into the bridge and do some mechanical work on the locking mechanism and make sure that everything else is working fine. It just takes time to complete all that work.”

You might not realize it, but maritime traffic relies on this bridge opening.

“These bridges only open about 30 times a year, but federal law does require us to maintain them,” Pearce said. “If marine traffic wants to go through, marine traffic actually has the right of way in this area.”

When the first of these closures is set to happen

The first two four-day closures begin at 11 p.m. Friday night. This will be a closure of the northbound span. Southbound will remain open. The closure will last until 11 p.m. Tuesday. Northbound drivers will still be able to access Smith Island via 28th Place NE.

“During the first two weekends, people will be able to go northbound onto Smith Island on SR 529, but they’ll have to take southbound to leave the island,” Pearce added.

The first two closures will be northbound. This weekend and next weekend. The southbound closures are scheduled for the third and fifth weekends of the month. There will be no work or closures over the Memorial Day weekend.

Approximately 19,000 vehicles use the Steamboat Bridge each day. I-5 is the primary alternate.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for 成人X站 Newsradio. Read more of his stories聽here.聽Follow 成人X站 Newsradio traffic on聽.

The southbound lanes also reopened after all lanes were shut down earlier this morning.

All lanes are now open on I-5 near S 84th Street in Tacoma. Thank you for your patience folks. It will take time for traffic to clear.

鈥� WSDOT Tacoma (@wsdot_tacoma)

The accident occurred after a semitruck collided with a barrier near the 84th Street exit on I-5 north just after 4:45 a.m., the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) confirmed. The semitruck toppled over after hitting the highway barrier, crashing into a power pole, which subsequently led to the vehicle catching fire. The driver of the truck died at the scene.

Four hours later. This is what’s left of the semi involved in this morning’s fatal crash and fire. All northbound lanes of I-5 remain closed.

鈥� Chris Sullivan (@NEWSGUYSULLY)

“I am saddened to announce that the truck driver has died as a result of this crash,” Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper John Datillo said. “Expect an extended closure as we investigate. We are working to determine the details that led to the crash.”

Crews are on scene of a semi truck collision. They are working to extinguish the fire. I-5 Northbound is blocked at 84th St. South. Unknown if there are any injuries at this time.

鈥� West Pierce Fire & Rescue (@WestPierce)

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

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鈥檒l 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鈥檚 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.

For a state that considers itself so green and environmentally forward, we do a terrible job with littering. The Department of Ecology estimates that 38 million pounds of trash ends up on the sides of our roads every year鈥攖hat鈥檚 42% above the national average. A lot of that is dumped there on purpose. suggested that 25% of Washington residents admit to routinely throwing trash out the window.

Who are these people? Who still does this?

Litter not only makes our roads look bad, but it can also be dangerous.

Littering persists despite Washington鈥檚 green goals

Forty percent of and this stuff is really dangerous鈥攃oolers, lumber, household garbage. I鈥檓 sure we鈥檝e all had to swerve into another lane to avoid something flying out of a car in front of us. Another significant source is that quarter of people who just toss cigarette butts, cans, cups, or bags out the window. You might be surprised how many people simply dump their household garbage on the side of the road, or at park-and-rides and rest areas.

It costs the state about $12 million every year to pick up as much trash as it can. That cleanup effort takes state workers away from other important road work, like maintenance and fixing potholes.

WSDOT reports that more than 1,000 tons of trash were picked up last year鈥攖hat’s two million pounds of garbage. That includes more than 300 tons removed from or near homeless encampments.

It鈥檚 a good reminder to keep a small bag in your car and throw everything away when you gas up or get home. There鈥檚 no excuse for tossing anything out of your window鈥攁nd no excuse for failing to secure your load.

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鈥檛 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

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鈥檙e always on call鈥�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鈥檙e proud of our partnership with the State Department of Transportation, and together we鈥檙e committed to protecting these zones鈥攂ut we can鈥檛 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 鈥榤ove over鈥� 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鈥攖hey鈥檙e 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鈥�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 成人X站 Newsradio. Follow him on聽. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

The system includes two cameras. One is located at the intersection of 220th Street Southwest and Highway 99, and the other at 100th Avenue West and Edmonds Way. In total, the pair recorded 535 violations from April 10 to April 17.

Red light cameras trigger hundreds of warnings in Edmonds

However, Edmonds Police Commander Josh McClure noted that 320 of those incidents have either been dismissed or are still under review. Officials are currently offering drivers a “grace period,” meaning drivers caught running red lights will receive warning notices rather than fines.

Starting in May, violations will result in a $145 ticket for failing to stop at a red light. Officials said the cameras could generate up to 11,180 citations annually.

For comparison, in Lynnwood, the red-light camera at 196th Street and Alderwood Mall Parkway was the busiest in 2023, issuing 14,323 citations. The next most active location recorded 4,535.

New damage to the bridge鈥檚 steel supports has rendered it unsafe.

The single-lane bridge, which is more than 100 years old, previously provided access to Mount Rainier National Park鈥檚 Mowich Lake Entrance, Carbon River Ranger Station, and other outdoor recreation areas.

First responders have a separate emergency route, but there is no public detour.

According to a press release, the bridge鈥檚 support column is bent in two directions and beginning to buckle.

“It鈥檚 very apparent from the visual changes in the columns that the bridge is no longer safe to use,鈥� Olympic Region Administrator Steve Roark said. 鈥淐losing the bridge was our last option. We fully understand the magnitude of this decision for everyone who relies on this bridge.鈥�

WSDOT plans to study the following three options:

鈥� Keep the bridge closed and not replace it, which is referred to as a no-build option.

鈥� Bridge replacement in the same vicinity.

鈥� Re-routing State Route 165 on a new alignment to the east or west of Carbon River Canyon.

The 494-foot-long bridge opened in 1921. Based on current standards, bridges have an expected service life of 75 years. The average age of state-owned vehicle bridges is 51 years, WSDOT said.