News

Find news releases and announcements about the agency in our virtual newsroom. 

Cracking down on rough roads along I-5 in Vancouver

Posted 05/06/2026

VANCOUVER – Travelers on southbound Interstate 5 in Vancouver will soon experience a smoother ride as crews take the next step toward fixing rough and bumpy roads.

Starting Monday, May 4, Washington State Department of Transportation contractor Kerr Contractors Oregon LLC started work to repair the…

Construction intensifies across Puget Sound, with major closures starting May 8–11

Posted 05/04/2026

SEATTLE – Travelers across the greater Puget Sound region should expect significant congestion and increased travel times throughout May as crews make critical progress on major construction projects ahead of a planned pause in June for the FIFA World Cup.

After Memorial Day: JBLM’s DuPont Gate scheduled to temporarily close for construction

Posted 05/04/2026

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD – The Washington State Department of Transportation will close the Joint Base Lewis-McChord DuPont Gate for two weeks.

Eastern portion of North Cascades Highway to reopen April 30; western section remains closed for major repairs

Posted 04/30/2026

NEWHALEM – State Route 20/North Cascades Highway will partially reopen from the east side beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 30.

I-5 reduces to one lane in each direction near Alger for 12 days beginning Sunday, May 10

Posted 04/30/2026

ALGER – Each direction of Interstate 5 will be reduced to a single lane for 12 days beginning Sunday, May 10, to remove a barrier to fish passage beneath northbound lanes. People traveling northbound and southbound between Burlington and Bellingham should expect delays near Lake Samish Road (exit 240), especially…

Northbound SR 99 First Avenue South Bridge in Seattle closing for emergency deck repairs starting Friday, May 8

Posted 04/30/2026

SEATTLE – The second phase of emergency repairs to the northbound State Route 99 First Avenue South Bridge will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, May 8, and will be followed by a series of weekend and weeknight bridge closures to install new steel grid deck panels.

Permanent speed limit reductions coming to SR 92 between Lake Stevens and Granite Falls

Posted 04/29/2026

LAKE STEVENS – Travelers will soon see a series of permanent speed limit reductions along a 7-mile stretch of eastbound and westbound State Route 92, from Lake Stevens to Granite Falls.

Connection made: New Wheat Line bus route will boost regional mobility east of the Cascades

Posted 04/29/2026

OLYMPIA – Travelers and commuters between Spokane and Tri-Cities will soon have another option for reaching their destinations thanks to a new regional, intercity bus route.

Pet policy, new vessel among topics for upcoming state ferries’ online community meetings

Posted 04/28/2026

SEATTLE – FIFA and Fido will each be featured at the next round of Washington State Ferries’ community meetings.

Washington Zero-Emission Incentive Program launches April 29

Posted 04/28/2026

OLYMPIA – The Washington Zero-Emission Incentive Program, or WAZIP, is launching on April 29 to help businesses and fleet operators transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles.

1,557 work zone-related crashes

were recorded on state highways in 2025.

Phone down, eyes up.

Pay attention – both to workers directing you and to surrounding traffic.

Stay calm

Expect delays, leave early or take an alternate route if possible; no appointment is worth risking someone’s life.