News
Find news releases and announcements about the agency in our virtual newsroom.
Ferry ridership rises to 82% of pre-pandemic levels ahead of busy Labor Day weekend
SEATTLE – Walk-on ridership is near its highest point since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic at Washington State Ferries. But for people planning a ferry ride over Labor Day weekend, it’s those boarding in a vehicle who should be prepared for long waits.
Work now underway on Western Washington's largest pavement repair project
SHORELINE – After a spring and summer of slowdowns, lane closures, and bumpy roads, the Northwest Region Emergency Pavement Repair project is underway in King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties.
One, two, three – newly completed construction lets fish swim free north of Kalaloch
On Monday, Aug. 29, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation removed the one-way alternating traffic signal on US 101 at milepost 162.6 near Kalaloch. This marks the end of a project to remove barriers to fish migration at three creeks under portions of US 101.
Final stage of SR 9/SR 204 intersection improvement project in Lake Stevens to include 3 weekend closures
LAKE STEVENS – The final stage of a much-anticipated roundabout project in Lake Stevens is underway. Once complete, it will improve traffic flow and safety at several intersections at and around where State Routes 9 and 204 meet.
After two decades, southbound I-5 HOV lane opens from Fife to Tacoma
At 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28, Guy F. Atkinson Construction crews opened the final 3-mile section of southbound Interstate 5 HOV lanes in Pierce County. The new lane connects the existing HOV lane running from Seattle to Fife with the one that stretches from Tacoma to westbound State Route 16 in Gig Harbor.
Northbound I-5 HOV lane in Tacoma now open
TACOMA – At 7:15 a.m. on Aug. 27, Guy F. Atkinson Construction crews opened the long-awaited new northbound I-5 HOV lane in Tacoma. The new lane connects the existing HOV lane that begins on SR 16 in Gig Harbor with the one that starts in Fife.
I-5 HOV construction in Tacoma is really done. …no really. …it is!
We’re wrapping up major construction on I-5 in Tacoma.
Plan for significant southbound I-5 delays near Vader for Cowlitz River Bridge work Sept. 12-16
VADER - People living and driving near Toledo and Vader in Lewis County will need to plan for extended delays on southbound Interstate 5 starting next week.
One last hooray for summer? Plan ahead now for a busy Labor Day travel weekend
OLYMPIA – Labor Day often heralds the final moments of summer before fall activities begin. For people who plan to travel on the popular three-day weekend, now is the time to make travel plans and expect congestion on most routes.
Full SR 520 closure, Revive I-5 work Aug. 27-28 weekend, beginning late Friday night
Travelers should plan ahead and find alternate routes for trips across Lake Washington and southbound Interstate 5 in Seattle, beginning Friday night, Aug. 26. State Route 520 will close across the lake and southbound I-5 will be reduced to one lane south of the stadiums all weekend.
166,800 electric vehicle
registrations in Washington in 2023, up from 114,600 in 2022.
87 wetland compensation sites
actively monitored on 918 acres in 2023.
25,000 safe animal crossings
in the Snoqualmie Pass East Project area since 2014.