News

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

Final project to complete Tacoma HOV system begins in February

Posted 01/25/2019

Cara Mitchell, communications, 360-357-2703

Construction widens I-5 north of the Tacoma Dome

TACOMA – After years of construction, work on the final HOV segment in Tacoma begins next month.

In February, Guy F. Atkinson Construction will begin work to design and build a wider Interstate 5 between…

WSDOT open house: Improving travel times on SR 14 in east Vancouver

Posted 01/22/2019

Tamara Greenwell, WSDOT communications, 360-905-2056

VANCOUVER – Community members are invited to learn more about future improvements on State Route 14 between Interstate 205 and Southeast 164th Avenue at an open house later this month.

In response to increasing congestion on SR 14 during peak…

Nearly 25 million set sail on state ferries in 2018

Posted 01/17/2019

Ian Sterling, communications,206-714-1556

Annual ridership up 10 percent from five years ago

SEATTLE – Thirty-four times the population of the city of Seattle – that’s how many people Washington State Ferries carried in 2018.

Annual ridership on the nation’s largest ferry system…

Culvert replacement work on SR 504 near Toutle begins Tuesday, Jan. 15

Posted 01/14/2019

Celeste Dimichina, WSDOT communications, 360-905-2057

TOUTLE – Work to replace a failing culvert under State Route 504, better known as Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, begins on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

On Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews began work to…

It’s the end of the road for the Alaskan Way Viaduct

Posted 01/11/2019

 

Three-week closure of SR 99 through Seattle begins tonight, Jan. 11

SEATTLE – If the rain holds off, drivers on the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct could be treated to one final sunset drive tonight, Friday, Jan. 11.

When the clock strikes 10 p.m., it'll be lights out for the viaduct, as the Washington…

WSDOT to present options designed to improve safety at US 2 Colbert Road intersection north of Spokane

Posted 01/08/2019

Ryan Overton, communications, 509-324-6014

WSDOT to present options designed to improve safety at US 2/Colbert Road intersection north of Spokane

Upcoming meeting a follow up to concerns raised last November

COLBERT – The community is invited to a Jan. 16 public meeting to discuss…

Public meeting helps community and WSDOT connect on US 2/Colbert Road issues north of Spokane

Posted 01/07/2019

Ryan Overton, communications, 509-324-6014

Jan. 16 meeting to be held at Mountainside Middle School in Colbert

COLBERT – The community is invited to a Jan. 16 meeting where representatives from the Washington State Department of Transportation will listen to concerns and share information about the…

New SR 99 tunnel improves safety, boasts state-of-the-art features

Posted 01/06/2019

Laura Newborn, Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program communications 206-805-2871; 206-639-8577 (mobile)

New video shows why tunnels stay safe during earthquakes

SEATTLE – In 2001, the Nisqually earthquake shook the Seattle region and the Alaskan Way Viaduct along with it. The viaduct was repaired and…

Washington State Ferries releases 2040 Long Range Plan

Posted 01/03/2019

Hadley Rodero, communications, 206-470-0524
On-call media hotline, 206-402-8070

Plan calls for 16 new ferries to stabilize the fleet and provide reliable service

SEATTLE – More than half of Washington State Ferries’ 23-vessel fleet is scheduled to be retired by 2040. The ferry system…

WSDOT launches study to improve travel near SR 500 and NE Fourth Plain Boulevard in Vancouver

Posted 01/03/2019

Kimberly Pincheira, communications, 360-905-2058
Michael Williams, planning, 360-905-2076

Online survey open for public input through Jan. 31

VANCOUVER – It should come as no surprise to travelers who use the intersection of State Route 500 and Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard that it is one of the…

Slow down – lives are on the line.

In 2022, speeding continued to be a top reason for work zone crashes.

Even one life lost is too many.

Each year about 670 people are killed nationally in highway work zones. In 2022, Washington had six fatal work zone crashes on state roads.

It's in EVERYONE’S best interest.

95% of people hurt in work zones are drivers, their passengers or passing pedestrians, not just our road crews.