A Weekly Summary of WSDOT News and Activities
Washington Jobs Now - Crews installing Smarter Highways to I-5, SR 520 and I-90
Cutting-edge technology will debut on Puget Sound highways this summer
WSDOT crews have been busy testing the electronic signs that will be used on I-5, SR 520 and I-90 to alert drivers of traffic conditions and lane closures. |
Innovative traffic technology is about to make Puget Sound highways smarter and more efficient than ever. The new system, active traffic management (ATM), features a network of sensors and electronic signs on northbound I-5, SR 520 and I-90 that automatically responds to traffic conditions and gives drivers information that will result in a safer and smoother trip.
The overhead, electronic signs will automatically alert drivers when a lane is closed ahead and adjust the speed limit to slow traffic before it reaches backed up or blocked traffic. This advance notice will help prevent the panic breaking that leads to collisions.
Crews started work on the project last summer and recently completed constructing 15 new sign bridges on northbound I-5 in south Seattle and nine sign bridges on SR 520 in Bellevue. Their work continues as they construct sign bridges on I-90 in Bellevue and install electrical wiring and sign brackets. They are also busy testing the new electronic signs to make sure they are ready to install starting this spring.
Crews plan to introduce Smarter Highways this summer on northbound I-5 between Boeing Access Road and I-90, and on SR 520 between Seattle and Bellevue. In spring 2011, they’ll activate the high-tech system on I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue.
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Maintenance & Operations feature - WSDOT crews put on winning display during Vancouver Olympic Games
Crews respond to more than 700 incidents in nine days
WSDOT's incident response helps WSP manage traffic as a tow-truck prepares to remove a trailer that flipped and blocked southbound I-5 near Bellingham on Feb. 22. |
While U.S. Olympic medalists speed to glory during the Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., WSDOT's incident response and maintenance crews are putting on an equally impressive performance.
WSDOT prepared for the Winter Games by doubling the number of incident response crews patrolling Western Washington highways between Sea-Tac and Canada. As a result, crews have had twice as many contacts with drivers compared to last year, responding to than 720 incidents in the days leading up to and during the first week of the games.
WSDOT’s Incident Response Team (IRT) members are a specially trained group of WSDOT maintenance employees who respond to traffic incidents on state roadways. Whether assisting stranded motorist, or responding to a collision, snowstorm, or disaster, their mission is to work in partnership with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and other responders to quickly clear roads and help drivers. They restore normal traffic flow as safely and quickly as possible.
In addition, WSDOT maintenance and operations staff throughout the region are on alert to handle any situation that comes up during the Olympics. WSDOT traffic management centers in Bellingham and Shoreline are monitoring traffic conditions and providing traffic information on conditions at the border and in the I-5 corridor.
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Update of projects under way
I-5 Kelso - Crews began work on a project to pave and upgrade guardrail on 20 miles of I-5 on Wednesday, Feb. 24. This $6.1 million contract includes $5.6 million in Recovery Act funds and is part of a continued effort to improve safety and preserve the structural integrity of I-5 between Kelso and Centralia. Workers will begin safety improvements on northbound I-5 between the Kelso Weigh Station and the SR 504 junction near Castle Rock in Cowlitz County. Crews will then head north to install guardrail and signage along 13 miles of I-5 in Lewis County. Resurfacing will begin in April and construction is expected to wrap up in August. This is a companion project to a Tier 1 Recovery Act project, I-5, North Kelso to Castle Rock – Concrete Rehabilitation, completed in November of last year. The project repaired and replaced damaged concrete panels on I-5 and repaved the interstate’s northbound lanes on 14 miles of interstate through Cowlitz County.
SR 542 Glacier - In a proactive effort to protect drivers and Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) from the dynamic forces of the Nooksack River, WSDOT has awarded a $2.1 million contract to Interwest Construction, Inc. of Burlington to shift a quarter-mile of the highway away from the river east of Glacier. Crews will shift a portion of the highway near E. Church Mountain Road to help reduce the risk of flood damage and emergency closures. This is a long-term fix that will prevent costly emergency repairs and lane closures. Crews will also build a new bridge at Chain-up Creek, along the same stretch of road that is being shifted, to improve fish passage. The existing culvert is a barrier for fish. Construction will begin as early as April.
Announcements
Puget Sound congestion continues to improve
WSDOT congestion relief projects contribute to the improvement trend
Puget Sound travel times showed improvement in the second half of 2009 compared with the same period in 2007 and 2008, according to WSDOT’s congestion report on travel times published in its most recent quarterly report, the February 2010 Gray Notebook.
WSDOT compared the second half of 2009 to the same time period in 2007. Travel times improved on 14 of the 18 surveyed commute routes, with improvements ranging from one minute to 15 minutes. The largest improvements in travel times, comparing the latter halves of 2009 to 2008, were on I-405 between Bellevue and Tukwila. The morning commute showed a 13 minute travel time improvement northbound in the morning and a five minute travel time improvement southbound on the evening return trip. Data suggest that a contributing factor to this improvement was the completion of an auxiliary lane near the I-90 interchange that opened in January 2009.
The latest WSDOT information complements findings in the 2009 National Traffic Scorecard, an annual congestion report published by INRIX Corporation. The scorecard shows congestion holding steady between 2008 and 2009. While the INRIX Scorecard is based on national traffic speed data, WSDOT’s report is an analysis of both traffic speeds and traffic volume in the Central Puget Sound area.
Anacortes-Sidney B.C. Reservations Now Available
WSDOT's Ferries Division (WSF) is now taking vehicle reservations for the Anacortes to Sidney, B.C. ferry. Ferry service to Sidney, B.C. begins with the spring schedule on March 28. To make reservations, please visit https://business.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/reservations/ or call 1-888-808-7977.
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March meetings
4, Thursday, 6 - 8 p.m., Open house, SR 548 roundabout - Blaine: WSDOT and BP are partnering to build a roundabout on State Route 548 at the intersection of Grandview and Blaine roads and will host an open house to display plans and answer questions. Residents and drivers will have an opportunity to view design plans and talk with engineers in an informal setting. Currently, the intersection is controlled by stop signs and is a bottleneck for drivers, especially during shift changes at the refinery. Location: Birch Bay Bible Community Church, 7309 Jackson Road, Blaine.
Express Lane Archive
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