成人X站

CHOKEPOINTS

WSDOT blames economic rebound for worsening congestion

Oct 26, 2015, 9:21 AM | Updated: 10:13 am

Delays on state highways increased 4.6 percent between 2012 and 2014, according to the Washington S...

Delays on state highways increased 4.6 percent between 2012 and 2014, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation's 2015 Corridor Capacity Report. (WSDOT)

(WSDOT)

The congestion drivers in the Pacific Northwest are experiencing on a daily basis can be attributed to a successful economy, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Delays on state highways increased 4.6 percent between 2012 and 2014, according to WSDOT’s . The increase mirrors economic growth.

Though statewide traffic congestion is up, the average statewide congestion in 2014 was 8 percent below the 2007 pre-recession levels, according to the report.

Related: Public’s I-405 concerns are not related to class envy

“As the report shows, transit and HOV lanes play a big role in creating more capacity on state highways and help us manage growing congestion,” said Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson. “We’re collaborating with our partners in cities, counties and transit to get the most capacity out of the state’s multimodal transportation system and provide commuters viable travel options.”

Of the five monitored freeway corridors in central Puget Sound, I-5, I-405 and I-90 saw increases in congestion. Tolling and carpooling reduced congestion on SR 520 and SR 167 by 71 percent and 24 percent respectively.

Drivers can thank themselves for the worsening congestion. Between 2012 and 2014, passenger vehicle registrations increased 6.9 percent, according to WSDOT. Licensed drivers increased by 7.6 percent.

Statewide travel delay cost drivers and businesses an estimated $808 million in 2014 compared to $773 in 2012. The Puget Sound region contributes for 96.8 percent of the total delay.

And it’s not just congestion that is on the rise. “Incidents” increased by 8.1 percent, according to WSDOT. WSDOT crews responded to 48,691 incidents.

Though congestion is on an upward trend, the number of commuters driving alone isn’t. People driving alone decreased from 72.7 percent to 72.4 percent of drivers between 2013 and 2014. Those carpooling remained static at 10.1 percent.

Chokepoints

highway speed cameras...

Nate Connors

WSDOT sends 16K courtesy notices to drivers in highway speed camera pilot program

Discover WSDOT's findings on the highway speed camera pilot program aimed at reducing speed violations.

2 days ago

lanes blocked on I-5 north...

Julia Dallas

All lanes back open: I-5 north was shut down at Southcenter due to shooting

All lanes are now open after a shooting caused delays on I-5 North at Southcenter.

2 days ago

Semi-truck rollover whiskey...

Jason Sutich

All eastbound I-90 lanes reopen after semi-truck carrying 10,000 whiskey bottles rolls over

Eastbound I-90 sees delays due to a whiskey-carrying semi-truck rollover near milepost 45. Traffic updates here.

3 days ago

sr 529 Snohomish river bridge...

Frank Sumrall

SB SR 529 reopened at the Snohomish River Bridge after malfunction

Southbound SR 529 at the Snohomish River Bridge, between Everett and Marysville, is closed to traffic and blocked off due to a bridge malfunction.

3 days ago

Washington's toll...

Chris Sullivan

Washington’s toll expansion is hitting overdrive

Discover the upcoming transformations in Washington's toll system and what it means for drivers in the coming years.

4 days ago

I-405 renton...

Frank Sumrall

Lanes reopened on southbound I-405 in Renton after crash with semi-truck

All lanes on southbound I-405 in Renton have reopened after multiple cars were involved in a crash with a semi-truck.

5 days ago

WSDOT blames economic rebound for worsening congestion