Date:  Thursday, January 22, 2009

Contact: Dave Chesson, WSDOT Communications, 360-757-5970 (Burlington)
Todd Harrison, Assistant Regional Administrator, 360-757-5990 (Burlington)

BURLINGTON – WSDOT has expanded its successful SR 20 e-mail updates to include all highway-related construction projects and traveler information for Skagit and Island counties. The expansion comes just as the 2009 construction season begins. The new year includes several large projects around the region, beginning with the replacement of the Chuckanut Drive bridge over I-5, starting Monday, Jan. 26.

“The e-mail updates have been a great tool for drivers to keep track of construction delays and detours,” said Todd Harrison, assistant regional administrator for WSDOT. “We can reach drivers quickly with this system and give them the information they need to make informed decisions about when and where to travel. It’s been a proven asset during emergencies, too.”

During the recent snow and flooding, WSDOT sent updates locally to subscribers with important information regarding road conditions and links to additional details and information. Subscribers can receive the information via e-mail or mobile phone.

WSDOT hopes that more drivers will subscribe to the list this summer. The SR 20 update was first introduced in the spring of 2007, when there were numerous projects underway on SR 20. In two years, the list has grown to more than 1,300 subscribers. E-mail updates are typically sent once a week and include contact information so that drivers and residents can respond with questions, comments and concerns.

“We want to keep drivers informed during construction,” Harrison said. “It helps them get around and makes planning travel easier. Drivers also help us in return. They are often our eyes and ears, reporting issues to us we might not be aware of.”

WSDOT offers a variety of local and statewide e-mail updates, along with a suite of on-line tools that can be found by visiting www.wsdot.wa.gov/news. Subscribing and unsubscribing can be done with only a few clicks of a mouse.

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