Date:  Friday, November 20, 2009

Contact: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080

OLYMPIA – Forecasts call for a calmer weather pattern, which could mean more drivers brave Washington’s highways for a busy Thanksgiving weekend. Drivers should travel smart, know before they go, prepare for typical late-November weather and carry cold weather supplies, including tire chains. 

WSDOT’s bases its travel data on typical traffic patterns and any traffic incidents or inclement weather could affect traffic flow. Find out where and when most are traveling for Thanksgiving.

And, pack your patience when traveling during peak travel times on major highway routes. See a video of I-90 Thanksgiving travel.


Highlights include:

• Thanksgiving remains the busiest holiday weekend of the year for I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass and the section of I-5 south of Olympia through Lewis County. We expect congestion along the I-5 corridor from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, on eastbound I-90 from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday and on westbound I-90 from 1-7 p.m. Sunday.
• Historical data shows additional traffic on US 2 on Friday, Nov. 27.
• If you are crossing the border into Canada, be sure to check the WSDOT Web site. Cameras will help make it easier to pick the crossing with the shortest lines. The cameras are available via www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/border/.
• On the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, WSDOT expects increased traffic on eastbound SR 16 over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Many drivers may not have electronic toll accounts and WSDOT expects a higher than usual number to use the tollbooths. All manual tollbooths will be open during the peak hours. Those with Good To Go! transponders are encouraged to stay in the left-hand lanes approaching the toll plaza or to use the 24th Street on-ramp in Gig Harbor to avoid the toll plaza completely.

Amtrak Rail Services
To help with traffic on I-5, Amtrak Cascades has added one additional daily round trip between Seattle and Portland on Nov. 25, 26, and 28 and two additional round trips on Sunday, Nov. 29. Amtrak encourages passengers traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest to make their reservations early. The trains frequently sell out on holiday weekends. Be sure to purchase your tickets well in advance and arrive early at the station for your departure. For more information, visit: AmtrakCascades.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Washington State Ferries
The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) reminds travelers to allow extra time for ferry travel over the busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend and to be aware of schedule changes on some routes. On Thanksgiving Day four routes will be on a holiday schedule; all other routes will operate on a regular Thursday schedule. Holiday schedule details are published in the fall schedule which is available at terminals, on vessels, and on the WSF Web site. See more WSF Thanksgiving Holiday Travel info.

Aviation
To check the status of state-operated airports, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/airports/Amenities.htm or call 1-800-552-0666. WSDOT Aviation encourages pilots to check with their local Flight Service Station for current Notices to Airmen and temporary flight restriction status before each flight. To contact the Flight Service Station, please call 1-800-WX-BRIEF. Temporary flight restriction information is available at: airspace.nifc.gov/mapping/nifc/index.cfm.

Public Transportation
On Thanksgiving, transit systems follow a holiday schedule or will not operate fixed route and Dial-A-Ride services. On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, many transit systems will operate on a limited schedule. Check with your local transit agency www.wsdot.wa.gov/choices/bus.cfm for more information.

Work at most construction project sites around the state will move off the highway from noon Wednesday until Monday morning. Drivers should be prepared for shifted lanes, roadway detours and reduced speed zones in places.

Drivers should also be advised:

• I-5 northbound off-ramp to Olive Way and the Pike/Pine reversible HOV ramp for the I-5 express lanes and the right lane of the 4th Avenue South on-ramp to Edgar Martinez Way remain closed until further notice.
• Friday, Nov. 27 - the southbound I-5 exit 165B to Union Street closed from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the Macy's Holiday Parade.
• Drivers should expect added congestion on I-5 in both directions and at the off-ramps near the Marysville outlet mall.
• Sunday, Nov. 29 - Seattle Marathon closure information:
• I-5 express lanes closed until 9 a.m.
• I-90 center roadway closed from 5 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. from Seattle to Mercer Island
• Northbound I-5 exit to Lakeview Boulevard closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Southbound I-5 exit to Boylston Avenue E closed from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• At the bottom of the Mercer Street exit from north and southbound I-5 no left turns will be allowed onto Fairview Avenue from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Westbound SR 520 off ramp to E. Roanoke Street closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Know Before You Go:

• WSDOT offers several ways to get up-to-date traffic and construction information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov before you leave your home or office.
• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather drivers can look at weather forecasts and road temperatures throughout the state
• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, the color-coded map shows statewide traffic conditions, including construction delays and highway incidents.
• 511 - This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.

On the Road:

• Overhead and roadside electronic signs – Overhead and freeway signs provide emergency and incident alerts and, in some Seattle-area locations during rush hours, point-to-point travel times
• Highway advisory radio - Yellow signs with flashing lights alert drivers to tune into radio frequencies airing construction updates

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WSDOT's mission is to keep people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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