http://www.dot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/news/ Copyright WSDOT 2008. All rights reserved. Traveler information and News for Southwest Region of Washington State. bertraj@wsdot.wa.gov (Jeremy Bertrand) Washington State Department of Transportation Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:26:25 GMT 15 http://www.dot.wa.gov/Public/images/nav/wsdot2g4.gif http://www.dot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/news/ Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:58:08 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/I5_18SkagitRiverBridgetoOpenSoon.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/I5_18SkagitRiverBridgetoOpenSoon.htm The temporary spans are in place; the bridge deck is paved. After touring the site Tuesday, Governor Jay Inslee announced that the Washington State Department of Transportation expects to reopen the Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge sometime Wednesday, June 19. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:23:52 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/18_SR14CamasWashougalComplete.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/18_SR14CamasWashougalComplete.htm CAMAS – Two years after breaking ground for a safety and mobility project on State Route 14 in Camas and Washougal, contractor crews completed work and pulled off the highway late Monday, June 17. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:34:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/13_I5ChamberWayContractAward.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/13_I5ChamberWayContractAward.htm CHEHALIS – The construction contract to replace a damaged girder on the Chamber Way bridge over Interstate 5 was awarded this week to Olivas Valdez Inc. of Woodland. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:22:45 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/12_KMB_public_meeting.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/12_KMB_public_meeting.htm Local citizens are invited to a public meeting Monday, June 17, to learn more about projects that will keep rail passengers and the economy moving. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:58:29 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/WSDOTEnvironmentalExcellence2013.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/WSDOTEnvironmentalExcellence2013.htm Streamlining process nets WSDOT an Environmental Excellence Award Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:35:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/06_bridgingfuturesscholarshipannounced.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/06_bridgingfuturesscholarshipannounced.htm A first place tie means two Washington high school students are earning green for college in a scholarship contest focused on Interstate 90 wildlife crossings, east of Snoqualmie Pass. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 03:57:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/05_I-205_PCCPRehab_Start.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/05_I-205_PCCPRehab_Start.htm You know that thump-thump-thump you feel when traveling Interstate 205? You’ll be feeling it a lot less starting this summer, thanks to a $2.2 million I-205 restoration project that began construction this week. Mon, 03 Jun 2013 23:31:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/03_I5ClosedJune7-10.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/06/03_I5ClosedJune7-10.htm VANCOUVER – Installation of a dozen concrete girders will shut down Interstate 5 and reroute thousands of drivers to Interstate 205 this weekend. The Washington State Department of Transportation advises drivers to avoid travel through the area or expect detours and delays. Fri, 31 May 2013 06:46:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/31_NewAmtrakCascadesTrainsSeattleToBellingham.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/31_NewAmtrakCascadesTrainsSeattleToBellingham.htm New Amtrak Cascades trains to roll between Seattle and Bellingham beginning Friday, May 31.WSDOT, Amtrak, Sound Transit and BNSF Railway team up to quickly help people travel through the I-5 corridor where the Skagit River Bridge collapsed. To help travelers pass the collapsed Skagit River Bridge severing Interstate 5, the Washington state-sponsored Amtrak Cascades train service will roll out two extra train trips daily between Seattle and Bellingham. Mon, 27 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/26_skagit-bridge-replacement-plan.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/26_skagit-bridge-replacement-plan.htm MOUNT VERNON – Gov. Inslee today announced a plan to replace the collapsed portion of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River near Mt. Vernon. "We will install a temporary span on the bridge that will restore traffic while we build a safe and durable permanent span adjacent to it," said Governor Inslee. "This plan ensures the economic vitality of Washington state and the communities along this important corridor." Sat, 25 May 2013 08:05:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/Amtrak_WSDOT_BNSF_add_train_to_Help_after_I-5_Bridge_Collapse.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/Amtrak_WSDOT_BNSF_add_train_to_Help_after_I-5_Bridge_Collapse.htm To assist travelers affected by yesterday’s I-5 highway bridge collapse in Skagit County, Amtrak Cascades will add one round trip route between Seattle and Bellingham, Wash., in the coming weeks. Fri, 24 May 2013 00:43:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/23_SR18PanelReplacementBegins.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/23_SR18PanelReplacementBegins.htm TUKWILA – Travel delays at the airport can be frustrating. This summer, drivers who use State Route 518 to reach Seattle-Tacoma International Airport should be aware of potential delays on the way to the airport. Sat, 18 May 2013 06:20:41 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/17_DBEStudyOnline.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/17_DBEStudyOnline.htm OLYMPIA – A study to determine whether the Washington State Department of Transportation’s contracting activities are fair and equitable for all is now available for review. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program disparity study analyzed information about local marketplace conditions for minority-owned and women-owned businesses and the degree to which WSDOT utilizes these businesses. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:09:32 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/14_Chinook_pass_open_2013.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/14_Chinook_pass_open_2013.htm CHINOOK PASS – Crews opened Chinook Pass at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 17. It’s safe to say drivers can make travel plans over State Route 410 this weekend. Fri, 17 May 2013 21:36:55 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/17_Memorial_Day_Travel_2013.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/17_Memorial_Day_Travel_2013.htm OLYMPIA – If you’re taking to the road for Memorial Day weekend, don’t forget to plan ahead with travel tools from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Fri, 10 May 2013 01:12:02 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/09_SR504_Reopens.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/09_SR504_Reopens.htm More than 15 feet of snow kept State Route 504 in Cowlitz County closed for the winter season this year. On Saturday, May 11, nature enthusiasts can make the trek back up the mountain as the Washington State Department of Transportation reopens Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. Thu, 09 May 2013 23:42:28 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/09_SCIP_I5Closed.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/09_SCIP_I5Closed.htm VANCOUVER – In early June, 1,050 tons of airborne concrete and steel will halt traffic for 88,000 daily drivers on Interstate 5 in Salmon Creek. Fri, 03 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/BiketoSchool_0503.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/BiketoSchool_0503.htm Students celebrate national Bike to School Day May 8 Wed, 01 May 2013 23:25:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/2013WAnamedBikeFriendlyState_0501.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/05/2013WAnamedBikeFriendlyState_0501.htm 6-time champ Washington leads pack again as ‘Bicycle-Friendly State’ Sat, 04 May 2013 05:45:36 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/03_SR14_Flagging_Paving.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/03_SR14_Flagging_Paving.htm WASHOUGAL – Travelers on State Route 14 should work a little extra time into their routine next week when construction crews take the highway down to a single lane in western Skamania County. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 03:06:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/22_earthday.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/22_earthday.htm Earth Day 2013 marks an opportunity for Washingtonians to learn how they can reduce their own carbon emissions and how programs at the Washington State Department of Transportation can help. Sat, 20 Apr 2013 03:32:40 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/19_LED_phase_two.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/19_LED_phase_two.htm OLYMPIA – Drivers on US 101 west of Olympia will notice changes to roadway lighting as a pilot project to test the first light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting system on a state highway moves into its second phase. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 03:20:11 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/16SR20NCHReopens.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/16SR20NCHReopens.htm The North Cascades Highway reopened at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 16. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 02:54:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/11_workzonesafety2013_goorange.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/11_workzonesafety2013_goorange.htm OLYMPIA – Transportation workers, along with all roadway and utility workers, ask drivers to remember one rule when they see those bright orange signs and cones: just slow down. Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:45:47 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/05_13_constructionresumesi90.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/05_13_constructionresumesi90.htm Start planning your trip over Interstate 90 east of Snoqualmie Pass now! Several major road improvement projects will delay drivers this year as the Washington State Department of Transportation improves sections of roadway across a 50-mile stretch of I-90. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 03:08:14 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/03_US101_FlashingYellowArrow.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/03_US101_FlashingYellowArrow.htm State highway crews aim to improve the busiest US 101 intersections in Raymond this week. They’re on target to install new flashing yellow arrow signals at two intersections. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:20:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/01_TunnelMachineArrives.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/04/01_TunnelMachineArrives.htm Bertha sighting: SR 99 tunneling machine draws near World’s largest tunneling machine to arrive by ship in Seattle tomorrow The ship carrying the $80 million machine that will dig the SR 99 tunnel beneath downtown Seattle entered Washington waters today. Its two-week journey from the manufacturing plant in Osaka, Japan will end tomorrow in Elliott Bay. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:49:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/I5_040113.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/I5_040113.htm All lanes on northbound Interstate 5 in South Seattle reopened on schedule Monday, April 1 2013 following a weekend of closures to replace four aging highway expansion joints. But the work isn’t over yet. Sat, 30 Mar 2013 00:57:22 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/workzone_speed_enforcement_centralia.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/workzone_speed_enforcement_centralia.htm CENTRALIA – An automated speed-enforcement camera will be placed in a construction zone on Interstate 5 in Lewis County beginning Monday, April 8, in an attempt to slow drivers and improve safety. Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:36:28 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/29_SR14GrindingWork.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/29_SR14GrindingWork.htm CAMAS – Thanks to ongoing construction work, State Route 14 in Camas and Washougal wasn’t the smoothest this past winter. And starting Monday, April 1, things will get rougher before they get better. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 23:53:24 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/27_US97ConstructionRestart.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/27_US97ConstructionRestart.htm GOLDENDALE – After a three-month break for weather, crews will resume work on a US 97 wildlife connectivity project on Monday, April 1. Wed, 27 Mar 2013 06:23:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/26SR20SpringReopeningBegins.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/26SR20SpringReopeningBegins.htm Work to reopen the 37 miles of the North Cascades Highway closed last Nov. 20, got underway Monday, Mar. 25. Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:38:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/25_stud_tire_off_2013.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/25_stud_tire_off_2013.htm OLYMPIA – Spring has arrived. As temperatures rise across the region, the Washington State Department of Transportation reminds drivers to remove their studded tires by midnight, March 31. Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:20:47 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/22_ConstructionBloomsSR14.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/22_ConstructionBloomsSR14.htm CAMAS – Spring has sprung in the Pacific Northwest once again, waking up birds, flowers, and…paving machines? Tue, 19 Mar 2013 01:13:35 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/18_LewisClarkBridgeRestart.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/18_LewisClarkBridgeRestart.htm LONGVIEW – The finish line is in sight for drivers and construction workers on State Route 433. Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:21:09 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/15_BlakesleeJctBridgeDeckPour.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/15_BlakesleeJctBridgeDeckPour.htm CENTRALIA – Construction crews widening Interstate 5 will pour the concrete deck for the last of three new bridges Monday, March 18. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:19:11 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/SecPetersonProjectReview.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/SecPetersonProjectReview.htm Transportation Secretary Peterson calls for mega project review Wed, 13 Mar 2013 21:35:46 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/13_I90buildavalanchebridges.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/13_I90buildavalanchebridges.htm Big changes are coming to Interstate 90 near Snoqualmie Pass. The snowshed is coming down and bridges are going up as part of a 15 mile corridor improvement project. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:25:13 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/11_SCIPGirderSetting.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/11_SCIPGirderSetting.htm VANCOUVER – Two cranes, 34 concrete girders and two weeks of heavy lifting will add up to one major milestone as the Washington State Department of Transportation moves closer to a new interchange at Northeast 139th Street. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 06:14:26 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/06_US101BoneRiver_Girders.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/06_US101BoneRiver_Girders.htm BAY CENTER – Crews building a wider, safer crossing on US 101 at Bone River will reach a major milestone this week when they set eight girders on the new bridge. Tue, 05 Mar 2013 06:10:06 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/04_point_defiance_bypass_FONSI_issued.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/04_point_defiance_bypass_FONSI_issued.htm Amtrak Cascades riders can now look forward to shorter trip times and more reliable schedules between Seattle and Portland following federal approval of WSDOT’s proposal to reroute the passenger train service to a less congested route. Tue, 05 Mar 2013 05:18:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/04_SixWeeksLaneClosuresSCIP.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/04_SixWeeksLaneClosuresSCIP.htm VANCOUVER – Spring may be a few weeks away, but a new season of interchange construction is right around the corner for Salmon Creek drivers. Tue, 05 Mar 2013 04:18:00 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/0313_CayuseClearing2013.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/03/0313_CayuseClearing2013.htm Early last week, Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews revved up more than 26 tons of heavy duty machinery and began their annual quest to open Cayuse Pass by Memorial Day weekend. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 02:19:47 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/22_LED_lights_US101_olympia.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/22_LED_lights_US101_olympia.htm OLYMPIA – Within a week, US 101 west of Olympia drivers on will see the Black Lake Boulevard interchange in a whole new light. Fri, 15 Feb 2013 03:20:05 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/14_SR501LandslideComplete.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/14_SR501LandslideComplete.htm Relief is in store for Ridgefield drivers who have seen a month of dump trucks, delays and single-lane traffic on State Route 501. Crews will wrap up emergency landslide repairs and restore the highway to two lanes of free-flowing traffic on Friday, Feb. 15. Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:09:10 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/13_ConcreteHitsDeckI-5MTB.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/13_ConcreteHitsDeckI-5MTB.htm CENTRALIA – The effort to widen Interstate 5 in Centralia reaches a major milestone on Thursday, Feb. 14, as crews pour the concrete deck for a new bridge over the Skookumchuck River. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 07:05:17 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/07_SR14FourLanesOpen.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/07_SR14FourLanesOpen.htm CAMAS – Travelers on State Route 14 will have more space to stretch out when the Washington State Department of Transportation opens two more lanes in Camas and Washougal Friday, Feb. 8. Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:40:52 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/BridgingFutures2013.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/BridgingFutures2013.htm A new scholarship offers high school students interested in engineering, the environment or art the chance to earn money for college. Sat, 02 Feb 2013 05:32:04 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/01_SCIPRampClosures.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/02/01_SCIPRampClosures.htm VANCOUVER – Bridge construction takes center stage for 88,000 drivers traveling through Salmon Creek via interstates 5 and 205 next week. On Monday, Feb. 4, crews building a new bridge at Northeast 139th Street will move drilling equipment from a slope below I-5 to the grassy median at the I-5/I-205 junction. Sat, 26 Jan 2013 00:33:56 GMT http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/25_I90EACommentPeriodStarts.htm http://www.dot.wa.gov/News/2013/01/25_I90EACommentPeriodStarts.htm People who might be affected by a proposal to toll Interstate 90 between Seattle and Bellevue can give input to a state study that will assess the potential environmental and social effects of tolling.