The accident occurred after a semi-truck collided with a barrier near the 84th Street exit on I-5 north just after 4:45 a.m., the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) confirmed. The semi-truck toppled over after hitting the highway barrier, crashing into a power pole, which subsequently led to the vehicle catching fire. The driver of the truck died at the scene.

“I am saddened to announce that the truck driver has died as a result of this crash,” Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper John Datillo said. “Expect an extended closure as we investigate. We are working to determine the details that led to the crash.”

Crews are on scene of a semi truck collision. They are working to extinguish the fire. I-5 Northbound is blocked at 84th St. South. Unknown if there are any injuries at this time.

— West Pierce Fire & Rescue (@WestPierce)

With the bridge closed, traffic will shift to surface streets between Ballard, Queen Anne Hill, and Fremont. Drivers can expect congestion in these areas as approximately 48,000 daily commuters seek alternate routes. The University and Fremont bridges will carry much of the overflow traffic, while State Route 99 (Aurora Avenue) and Interstate 5 (I-5) are also expected to see increased volumes. These changes could affect weekend travel, including trips to Seattle Mariners games.

State Route 520 / Montlake Boulevard

WSDOT crews will continue work on a new temporary off-ramp from eastbound State Route 520 (SR 520) to Montlake Boulevard. The ramp is being constructed next to the existing one, which will be closed for safety from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This work is part of the SR 520 which began in November 2024.

During the closure, eastbound drivers on SR 520 will be directed across Lake Washington, where they’ll need to pay a toll. To avoid the toll, WSDOT recommends using Interstate 90 as an alternate route.

State Route 18 / Interstate 90 Interchange

Drivers traveling on State Route 18 (SR 18) will not be able to access westbound Interstate 90 (I-90) over the weekend. WSDOT crews will be relocating a barrier, repaving, and repainting the on-ramp as part of the The closure will be in effect from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, with a detour in place for drivers during this time. The project is expected to be completed this summer.

Interstate 405 / Northeast 85th Street Interchange

In Kirkland, WSDOT will continue work at the I-405 and in preparation for a major traffic switch onto a new bridge. Drivers should expect significant lane and ramp closures throughout the weekend.

On northbound I-405, up to three lanes will be closed between SR 520 and NE 85th Street from 10 p.m. Friday to 4:30 a.m. Monday. Southbound I-405 will also see up to three lane closures overnight between NE 124th Street and NE 85th Street, starting 9:30 p.m. Sunday and ending 4:30 a.m. Monday.

Ramp closures include the northbound I-405 on- and off-ramps at NE 85th Street from 10 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Sunday. The southbound I-405 off-ramp to NE 85th Street will close twice: from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, and again from 10 p.m. Sunday to 7 a.m. Monday.

During these closures, the Express Toll Lanes (ETL) will be open to all drivers regardless of registration or payment status.

Nisqually River Bridge

WSDOT crews will conduct a scheduled inspection of the Nisqually River Bridge on southbound I-5 this weekend. To complete the work, crews will use a specialized inspection truck that extends over the bridge’s edges and beneath the deck. This will require lane closures between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Drivers should expect slowdowns and potential backups during those hours.

For a state that considers itself so green and environmentally forward, we do a terrible job with littering. The Department of Ecology estimates that 38 million pounds of trash ends up on the sides of our roads every year—that’s 42% above the national average. A lot of that is dumped there on purpose. suggested that 25% of Washington residents admit to routinely throwing trash out the window.

Who are these people? Who still does this?

Litter not only makes our roads look bad, but it can also be dangerous.

Littering persists despite Washington’s green goals

Forty percent of and this stuff is really dangerous—coolers, lumber, household garbage. I’m sure we’ve all had to swerve into another lane to avoid something flying out of a car in front of us. Another significant source is that quarter of people who just toss cigarette butts, cans, cups, or bags out the window. You might be surprised how many people simply dump their household garbage on the side of the road, or at park-and-rides and rest areas.

It costs the state about $12 million every year to pick up as much trash as it can. That cleanup effort takes state workers away from other important road work, like maintenance and fixing potholes.

WSDOT reports that more than 1,000 tons of trash were picked up last year—that’s two million pounds of garbage. That includes more than 300 tons removed from or near homeless encampments.

It’s a good reminder to keep a small bag in your car and throw everything away when you gas up or get home. There’s no excuse for tossing anything out of your window—and no excuse for failing to secure your load.

Last year, WSDOT and WSP saw a 17% increase in work zone crashes compared to the previous year, rising from 1,377 in 2023 to 1,607 in 2024. The largest increase was seen in serious injury crashes, which rose by 36 percent during the past year, with the vast majority of those injuries involving drivers and passengers.

Since 1950, there have been 61 work zone-related deaths, with distracted driving, excessive speed, and following too closely reported as the top three causes. The WSDOT campaign reminds drivers that the safety concern isn’t solely about contract workers on the ground; it also includes members of the WSP and the Incident Response Team (IRT) lending help to drivers.

WSDOT Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith said giving traffic crews the space they need can make all the difference.

“Our incidents response teams are the helpers of our agency, the ones who show up on someone’s very bad day and help turn it around, whether they’re clearing a stalled vehicle, providing traffic control for an incident, or offering a reassuring presence while aid arrives, they make a real difference every day,” she shared. “As secretary, nothing is more important to me than safety, the safety of our crews, our contractors, our first responders, and also the traveling public.”

Meredith added that she is pleased with the launch of the new work zone speed camera program.

“I’m very happy to have launched our work zone speed camera program earlier this month. This program is about changing driver behavior and keeping everyone safe in our work zones. Every year, too many of our crew are faced with making split-second decisions because of driver inattention, speeding, or reckless behavior,” she said. “Today, we remember those 61 WSDOT employees who have lost their lives working to keep our roads open, our transportation systems running, and our communities connected.”

Speed Camera Program highlighted during Work Zone Awareness Week

is the first of its kind in Washington State, debuting near Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), where a high volume of high-risk drivers have been reported through a major work zone in the area. Five more cameras are expected to roll out through the summer, with a total of 15 cameras by 2027.

Dennis Smith, WSDOT IRT Superintendent, spoke on behalf of his team, stating how important it is to respect road crews as they are our neighbors and friends.

“Every single day, our incident response team puts themselves in harm’s way so the rest of us can get home safely, because behind every safety vest, every incident response truck is a real person. These aren’t just operators. They’re parents, coaches. They are neighbors,” Smith said. “They volunteer in your schools, shop in the same grocery stores, and cheer from the sidelines at Little League games, just like you. And every time they step out onto a highway to clear a crash or help a driver, they are trusting the rest of us to look out for them.”

In 2024, Smith shared some figures about his IRT team, noting that in the northwest region alone, 42 team members handled 25,721 incidents. These operators often work just feet from traffic moving at 60 to 70 miles per hour. They cover some of the state’s busiest highways, including I-5, I-405, I-90, and state routes 167 and 18, patrolling thousands of lane miles throughout the area. They’re always on call—24/7.

80 WSP vehicles hit by drivers in 2024

Lieutenant Noel of the Washington State Patrol highlighted the dangers troopers face throughout the state.

“Just last year, 80 of our patrol vehicles were hit by drivers, causing about $750,000 in damages. Out of those, 37 were parked in what qualifies as emergency work zones. That number may sound high, but it only represents a small piece of the broader issue of work zone safety,” said Noel. “We’re proud of our partnership with the State Department of Transportation, and together we’re committed to protecting these zones—but we can’t do it on our own. We rely on the public to slow down and stay alert.

Our strategy focuses on three key areas: raising awareness through events like this, educating drivers through ‘move over’ campaigns, and enforcing the laws that require drivers to either slow down by 10 miles per hour below the speed limit or safely move over when approaching work zones.”

He concluded by saying, “We need everyone’s cooperation to protect these workers. They’re more than just workers—they’re our loved ones, our friends, our neighbors. They’re real people, and it takes a team effort to ensure their safety.”

WSDOT’s month-long Work Zone Safety Awareness campaign includes:

• National Work Zone Awareness Week: April 21–25 also recognizes the start of the busy construction season and encourages drivers to be attentive and drive safely through work zones.
• Go Orange Day: Wednesday, April 23, WSDOT employees will don orange-colored attire as part of the national safety campaign.
• National Moment of Silence: At 9 a.m. on Friday, April 25, WSDOT will take part in a moment of silence to remember the people who lost their lives in work zone-related incidents.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for ����Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on��. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

The system includes two cameras. One is located at the intersection of 220th Street Southwest and Highway 99, and the other at 100th Avenue West and Edmonds Way. In total, the pair recorded 535 violations from April 10 to April 17.

Red light cameras trigger hundreds of warnings in Edmonds

However, Edmonds Police Commander Josh McClure noted that 320 of those incidents have either been dismissed or are still under review. Officials are currently offering drivers a “grace period,” meaning drivers caught running red lights will receive warning notices rather than fines.

Starting in May, violations will result in a $145 ticket for failing to stop at a red light. Officials said the cameras could generate up to 11,180 citations annually.

For comparison, in Lynnwood, the red-light camera at 196th Street and Alderwood Mall Parkway was the busiest in 2023, issuing 14,323 citations. The next most active location recorded 4,535.

New damage to the bridge’s steel supports has rendered it unsafe.

The single-lane bridge, which is more than 100 years old, previously provided access to Mount Rainier National Park’s Mowich Lake Entrance, Carbon River Ranger Station, and other outdoor recreation areas.

First responders have a separate emergency route, but there is no public detour.

According to a press release, the bridge’s support column is bent in two directions and beginning to buckle.

“It’s very apparent from the visual changes in the columns that the bridge is no longer safe to use,” Olympic Region Administrator Steve Roark said. “Closing the bridge was our last option. We fully understand the magnitude of this decision for everyone who relies on this bridge.”

WSDOT plans to study the following three options:

• Keep the bridge closed and not replace it, which is referred to as a no-build option.

• Bridge replacement in the same vicinity.

• Re-routing State Route 165 on a new alignment to the east or west of Carbon River Canyon.

The 494-foot-long bridge opened in 1921. Based on current standards, bridges have an expected service life of 75 years. The average age of state-owned vehicle bridges is 51 years, WSDOT said.

The Washington State Department of Transportation announced, , that a semitruck blew through the agency’s traffic control and injured an employee in the work zone.

“Work Zone Awareness Week is only two days in—and we’ve already had at least one crash in a work zone each day,” WSDOT wrote in its post. “We can do better. Slow down. Stay focused. Help protect the people in orange.”

Work Zone Awareness Week is only two days in—and we’ve already had at least one crash in a work zone each day. We can do better. Slow down. Stay focused. Help protect the people in orange.

— WSDOT Southwest (@wsdot_southwest)

showed a bent semitruck leaning off one side of the highway as crews worked to clear the blockage.

The backup is extensive, stretching 13 miles to Lake Keechelus. What’s normally a straightforward drive from North Bend to Ellensburg has turned into a test of patience, taking around 4 hours and 40 minutes.

Here is our collision EB 90 at Easton. You’ll want to postpone your trip if you can. North Bend to Ellensburg is taking 4 hours 40 minutes.

— ����Xվ Newsradio Traffic (@����XվTraffic)

“There is a fully blocking rockslide on State Route 11 near milepost 10,” Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Kelsey Harding posted on X. “Troopers on scene are reporting that it is greater than 20 feet high and there are large boulders. Please seek alternate routes while WSDOT works to clear the roadway.

Here are some photos of the SR 11 rockslide. Also the rockslide did not reach or impact the train route.

— Trooper Kelsey Harding (@wspd7pio)

This is a developing story, check back for updates

Follow Frank Sumrall .������Ի���news tips here.

This is the first of four of the 108-year-old bridge this year, and a continuation of two years of work that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) started last year.

“We have about 22 expansion joints that we are going to be replacing,” Jules Posadas, public engagement lead with SDOT, said. “We did 14 last year, and we have eight remaining this year. Total asphalt paving that we’re going to be doing on the corridor is about over 4,800 feet.”

This is all a part of the improvement project. When the work is done, SDOT will have added 3,000 feet of new sidewalk and built or refurbished 59 accessible curb ramps.

Traffic jams from similar, previous closures

When similar closures happened last summer, they caused major problems. All the surface streets in Fremont, Interbay, Queen Anne, and Ballard were jammed.

“People would go through Ballard anticipating that they could just detour once they got to the Ballard Bridge,” Posadas said. “We’d really just try to advise people this year is to take those detour routes before you get to the downtown core area.”

The primary alternate is Aurora Avenue. Get there well before the closure and try to stay out of the neighborhoods. People living around the bridge were trapped in their own neighborhoods last year.

“We want to be respectful to the neighborhoods and residents that live around the area and also the businesses,” Posadas said.

Unlike last year’s Ballard Bridge closures, transit will not be able to use the bridge this year. Be sure to check with Metro about this project’s impact on your route. Bicyclists and pedestrians will be able to cross during the closures. Boats will still be able to get through, too.

There are four scheduled weekend closures expected through the beginning of June. There are standby weekends in June and July, should any of the closures be postponed by weather.

All the work should be wrapped up by the end of the year.

The bridge will close as early as 7 p.m. on April 25 and remain closed until 5 a.m. Monday, April 28.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for ����Xվ Newsradio. Read more of his stories��here.��Follow ����Xվ Newsradio traffic on��.

May 7 is the deadline for citizens to get their Real ID—a federally compliant form of identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID, that meets specific federal security standards.

“Without it, you won’t be able to get on a plane or visit many federal buildings, like courthouses or military bases,” Chris Sullivan, traffic reporter for ����Xվ Newsradio, said. “A Washington driver’s license is not acceptable because our state doesn’t require proof of citizenship or other information.”

Washington’s enhanced driver’s license qualifies as a Real ID.

The original deadline for Real ID compliance was set for October 2020, but it was postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is not a strategy to come to the airport on May 7 or moving forward without an acceptable form of ID, because you’re going to find the delays will be significant,” Lorie Dankers, a TSA spokesperson, stated.

Real ID appointments becoming harder and harder to get

As flocks of people attempt to get their Real ID by the deadline, a shortage of appointments is occurring nationwide.

Illinois set up a Real ID-only walk-in “supercenter” in Chicago in order to handle the large demand for appointments. New York restricted its DMVs to county-only residents to deal with its demand. According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, approximately 3,500 appointments are added daily for Real ID upgrades.

Hours-long waits that wrap around blocks have been reported at DMVs in multiple states, including Illinois, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania, the Wall Street Journal .

Washingtonians can still walk into any location and wait, but walk-ins will likely take a while.

“If you’re not seeing an appointment and you waited to the last minute, you can also still walk into one of our offices,” DOL’s Thomas Charlson told MyNorthwest. “I’d suggest there, to also plan ahead. We do have estimated wait times on our website that give you an idea of how long it’s going to be to get into the office.”

The best option could be standing outside the office as soon as it opens. Getting your name on that walk-in list early will likely save you several hours.

Follow Frank Sumrall .������Ի���news tips here.

UPDATE: A collision on WB I-90 just west of SR 202 in North Bend (MP 29) is blocking all lanes. Emergency responders are on scene. Seek alternate routes.

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic)

A collision involving multiple semi-trucks occurred just after 5 a.m. on westbound I-90, just west of State Route 202 (SR 202) in North Bend near milepost 29. Emergency response vehicles have arrived at the scene.

“Currently, one lane is blocked while we attend to the scene,” Eastside Fire and Rescue posted on . “One patient with non-life-threatening injuries is being transported to a nearby hospital.”

WSDOT is still encouraging drivers to take alternate routes.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

Follow Frank Sumrall .������Ի���news tips here.

During Friday morning’s commute, I noticed a sudden backup on State Route 512 (SR 512) in downtown Puyallup. While checking the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) cameras, I found a bald eagle just sitting in the right lane.

The bald eagle didn’t look injured, I didn’t notice a baby nearby, and at least it was camping in the right lane and not the left.

It sat for several minutes, causing approximately a two-mile backup to South Hill. The bird did not seem concerned at all about the traffic heading by, and the slowdowns it was causing.

A Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper stopped behind it to ensure its protection. When the WSP trooper approached, the bald eagle took off.

Maybe it was a protest for eagle rights. Perhaps it had just eaten a big meal and couldn’t fly. The eagle was unfortunately unavailable for comment.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for ����Xվ Newsradio. Read more of his stories��here.��Follow ����Xվ Newsradio traffic on��.

There are now six security checkpoints at the airport, though only four of them are in operation. The re-numbering is needed as the airport prepares to open a brand new checkpoint at the south end of the main terminal.

“Thursday morning, it’s basically just a signage situation for folks,” Sea-Tac Airport’s Perry Cooper said. “Nothing’s changed from a checkpoint standpoint. You’ve got your favorite one. Still go to that space. It will probably be a new number than what you’re used to.”

The old baggage claim is gone near the international arrivals gate, and the new checkpoint has taken its place. It’s the only security checkpoint on the lower level of the main terminal.

“We’re going to be able to have five checkpoint lanes down here as whereas we only have three on the current checkpoint,” Cooper said. “We’re really excited for it.”

Using the lower level to expand capacity was the only way to do it with such limited space.

“It’s one of those challenges that we have with our small footprint,” Cooper said. “We talked about this for years. We just don’t have space to add another checkpoint on the same level. What we had to do is find a creative way in which we could have another checkpoint increase that capacity.”

So the new Checkpoint 1 is the new checkpoint on the lower level. The numbers go up from south to north, so the checkpoint currently undergoing renovations at the north end will be Checkpoint 6, not 5, going forward.

Looking at the new checkpoints at Sea-Tac Airport

What’s cool about this new checkpoint it takes you underneath the main level and into the middle section of the escalators you use to catch the train.

“You’ll come to a space, after you go through the checkpoint, and you’ll make a decision, with help from our customer service, either to go down to the satellite trains and go to your gates from there, or go up specifically into the Concourse A area and the rest of the terminal,” Cooper shared.

It should take a bunch of passengers out of the main terminal, easing congestion all the way around.

This new southern checkpoint is expected to open in early June. The on the north end should open before Thanksgiving. Cooper said that it will be a game-changer for passengers.

The security checkpoints ⁦⁩ have new numbers today. This is the new checkpoint 1 at the south end of the terminal, which will open in early June. Yes, it’s on the lower level.

— Chris Sullivan (@NEWSGUYSULLY)

“We’ll go from 28 lanes to 39 lanes overall, once we get these all back up,” he explained.

How is the airport doing in getting people through the airport?

94% of passengers made it through security in 30 minutes or less last year. That’s up to 98% in the first three months of 2025.

Adding this extra capacity should make a huge difference.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for ����Xվ Newsradio. Read more of his stories��here.��Follow ����Xվ Newsradio traffic on��.

That means, starting May 7, travelers will need either an , , U.S. military ID, U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, permanent resident card (green card), federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766), or a foreign passport to meet REAL ID standards and travel domestically.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Administrators, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Department of Licensing held a news conference Tuesday morning to give the traveling public a gentle reminder that they will need an enhanced driver’s license to travel by air. Otherwise, traveling will be extremely difficult and likely impossible.

“Five hundred thousand people are expected to come to the security checkpoint on May 7, and moving forward who are not ready for REAL ID enforcement,” TSA spokesperson Lorie Danker said. “It is not s strategy to come to the airport on May 7 and move forward without an acceptable form of ID because you’re going to find the delays will be significant and you will likely miss your flight.”

Alternative forms of REAL ID

The United States Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005. Implementation has been delayed, primarily by COVID-19, but it will happen, and those who plan to travel by air, at any airport in the country, will need to be ready. However, there are alternative forms of ID that are acceptable at the TSA Checkpoint.

“That includes the U.S. passport or passport card, active duty military credential, as well as credentials issued to dependents, a DHS Trusted Traveler credential, such as your Global Entry card, or your Nexus card, a foreign government issued passport, a Canadian provencial driver’s license, and the list goes on,” Danker said.

For a complete list of acceptable forms of identification, visit the .

Follow James Lynch on����Read more of his stories��here. Submit news tips��here.

Currently, speed zone cameras are in place outside 19 schools. calls for adding 37 cameras at 19 more schools and spending more than $1 million to install speed cameras outside school zones as well.

The Seattle City Council’s heard public comment on the proposal this week.

Advocacy groups critique possibility of new Seattle speed cameras

“We’ve heard from communities of color that they feel they have been both over-enforced and under-invested in when it comes to transportation safety,” said Gordon Padelford, executive director of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways. “I think the department is starting to change that, which we’re very grateful for, and that really needs to continue as a strong commitment from this body and from the city.”

Clara Cantor, with the group Whose Streets? Our Streets! criticized the new legislation, saying it could stray from its original purpose.

“The stated goal of this program is to decrease dangerous speeding to improve safety on our streets,” said Clara Cantor, with the group Whose Streets? Our Streets! “And yet many of the policies included in this new legislation point more toward turning this program into a way for the city to generate revenue, oftentimes on the backs of BIPOC and low-income neighborhoods.”

Rob Saka, chair of the Seattle City Council’s transportation committee, said the cameras raise concerns about privacy and fairness.

“This technology is a vital tool among a broader set of tools that, when responsibly deployed, can help address unlawful behavior in and around our roads,” Saka said. “We heard earlier from public comments that Black and brown communities have historically borne the brunt of deployment and these kinds of punitive automated enforcement technologies, and that’s true,” Saka said. “That’s why I approach this deployment of technology with cautious skepticism and optimism.”

Under the proposal, speeders could receive $145 tickets outside school zones. Within school zones, fines could double.

The committee is expected to vote on the proposal on May 6.

The lane closures started near College Way, milepost 228, in Mount Vernon.

CLEAR: The collision on NB I-5 at College Way (MP 228) in Mount Vernon has cleared. Expect delays as traffic clears.

— WSDOT North (@wsdot_north)

Incident Response, Washington State Patrol (WSP), and fire crews are at still at the scene. The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is advising drivers that delays may still exist as traffic clears.

The location was chosen due to ongoing safety concerns for WSDOT contractors.

“Too many workers have been injured or killed, and statistics show drivers are not slowing down,” Julie Meredith, Secretary of Transportation, said. “This provides another tool to help ensure workers—and everyone on the roadway—come home safe at the end of the day.”

According to WSDOT, Washington has averaged 1,345 work zone crashes each year since 2020.

This has prompted enforcement with speed cameras using light detection and ranging, or LiDAR, to detect vehicles traveling faster than the posted speed limit. If a vehicle is traveling too fast, an image will be taken of the vehicle and license plate but not the driver. From there, the information is passed on to the Washington State Patrol (WSP), which will determine if a violation was committed.

What happens if drivers get a ticket from the speed camera?

Since this is a brand-new program, drivers caught traveling above the posted work zone speed limit will get one free pass. However, the second and any infraction after that will carry a $248 fine.

When someone receives a notice of infraction, they will be directed to the program’s website to acknowledge the incident. The vehicle’s registered owner must respond to the notice of infraction online or through the mail, even if it carries no financial penalty. The infractions are recorded as non-moving violations and do not affect driving records or insurance. Unpaid fines will be added to vehicle registration renewals.

Understandably, there will be drivers who may want to contest an infraction, and they are welcome to go through the appeals process.

The Washington Office of Administrative Hearings will oversee appeals for infractions. After filing an appeal, individuals can submit supporting evidence, such as photographs or other documents, for the judge to consider. Depending on the nature of the appeal, they will have either a brief adjudicative proceeding, which involves only documents, or a formal adjudicative hearing, where they can also provide testimony by phone to a judge.

Amy Moreno with WSDOT said this is a safety mechanism and not at all intended to issue tickets.

“We’re just hoping by getting everybody to reduce their speeds, (this) will hopefully save a few lives, and these cameras are just there to get people to slow down,” she said. “We would love it if we never issued a single infraction. There will be plenty of signs out there warning people. They will only enforce when there are active workers in the work zone. They will not be there enforcing when people are not working in the work zone.”

Money from infractions goes back to program, DUI enforcement

The work zone speed camera enforcement will, undoubtedly, generate funds through infractions. So, where will the money go?

“The money generated from these cameras will actually go back into supporting the program, and any extra money goes to DUI enforcement and other safety programs for the Washington State Patrol,” Moreno said. “This program is about safety—trying to save lives for drivers and for those who work in our work zones.”

The plan is to have six more mobile cameras by summer, rotating them throughout busy work zones, including the one near the and the

“This program starts on Wednesday, but it’s going to go on for years to come,” Moreno explained. “The legislature has approved this for five years, and it could be re-approved down the line. We’re just asking people, if you see a work zone, please slow down—consider your own safety and the safety of the workers who are out there.”

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for ����Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on��. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

The culvert (fish passage work) between McCleary and Montesano isn’t expected to wrap up before the travel season ends. Five different work zones are affecting both directions of State Route 8 (SR 8) and US 12 along a roughly 18-mile stretch of highway in that area. There are lane closures, and in some places, you’re driving on the opposite side of the road.

During peak travel last year, these closures led to very slow trips along the corridor.

I rolled through the area recently, and the closures look a lot like last year—though a lot of work has been completed. The new bridges look good. There’s been a lot of paving, but Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) Cara Mitchell told me there’s still a lot left to do.

“It is going to be the same as last year,” she said. “The good news is we’re getting close.”

Another long summer heading to the coast thanks to culverts

Drivers should expect some changes as the work progresses over the next few months.

“Travelers will see a shift in the lanes,” Mitchell said. “Instead of being on the inside lanes, they’re going to be moved to the outside lanes. It will still be one lane in each direction. We hope to have the project wrapped up by late summer, early fall.”

The plan is to open sections of the road as they’re completed—not to wait until everything is done.

“Some are a little bit further along than the others, so it’s going to be piecemeal as they open up,” Mitchell said.

WSDOT is replacing five old culverts along this corridor to improve fish habitat, but Mitchell said the work has other benefits, too.

“When we have heavy rains, some of those older culverts were at risk of washing out and creating a lot of headaches for travelers and nearby residents alike,” she said. “This actually opens up and gives us more space for water to flow underneath the highways.”

Now to my soapbox: this is your yearly reminder to zipper merge. During those heavy travel times last year, I was flipped off for using the open lane all the way to the merge. I expect similar interactions this year.

“You will continue to see zipper merge signs,” Mitchell said. “You will continue to see a reduced speed limit through the work zones, and we really ask people for their patience. Give yourself that extra time so you don’t feel the need or the urge to speed, and help keep our workers safe.”

Remember, drivers like me who use the open lane all the way to the closure are not cutting the line. We are not cheating. We are merging the proper way. Please don’t cut off those drivers. Please let them in. It’s better for everyone—and it reduces congestion.

Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for ����Xվ Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.��Follow ����Xվ Newsradio traffic on .

Everett: Northbound SR 529

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close all northbound lanes of State Route 529 (SR 529) at the Steamboat Slough for WSDOT will provide a shuttle service to carry pedestrians, cyclists, and mobility device users around the closure.

Drivers will still be able to access Smith Island from northbound SR 529, but will only be able to leave the island on southbound SR 529 during the weekend closure between 9:30 p.m., Friday, through 5 a.m., Monday.

Drivers should prepare for added volumes on northbound Interstate 5 (I-5) through Everett all weekend.

Kirkland: Southbound I-405

WSDOT crews continue to make progress with the . This weekend will require the closure of 2 lanes southbound on Interstate 405 (I-405) between NE 124th Street and NE 85th Street. Crews will prepare the roadway for the southbound traffic switch to the new bridge in the coming weeks.

During the lane reductions, the Express Toll Lanes (ETLs) will be open to all drivers. Heads up: at a later date, the general-purpose lanes of southbound I-405 will shift to the new bridge during an overnight lane reduction, with the southbound ETLs shifting shortly after. Those dates have yet to be confirmed by WSDOT.

This project runs between 10:30 p.m., Friday through 6:30 a.m., Monday. Drivers headed to Seattle for games this weekend will need to add plenty of extra time to your commute.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Drivers traveling westbound on State Route 16 (SR 16) from Tacoma could see late night back ups. A section of highway will need 2 consecutive overnight closures to address expansion joint seals.

7 p.m. Friday, April 11 until 5 a.m. Saturday, April 12

• Two left lanes approaching the bridge, including the HOV lane, will close.

7 p.m. Saturday, April 12 until 5 a.m. Sunday, April 13

• Two right lanes approaching the bridge will close.
• Jackson Avenue on-ramp to westbound SR 16 will close.
• During the work, the HOV lane will remain open to all travelers.

These repairs are to the surface of the road at the east approach and does not include any bridge work itself.

Dupont: I-5 closure at Steilacoom-Dupont Road

If you happened to get stuck in this closure last weekend, this weekend is a repeat.

WSDOT crews need one final weekend to of the new overpass at I-5 and Steilacoom-Dupont Road. This massive undertaking involves placing steel beams over 50-yards in length and weighing over 200,000 pounds each over the busy freeway.

Most of the work was accomplished last weekend, but there’s still more to do. To safely guide these girders in place WSDOT needs to close the freeway in both directions at the work zone.

Overnight Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12, crews will reduce travel lanes in both directions of I-5 to a single lane. That up and over the Steilacoom-DuPont Road off- and on-ramps. Law enforcement will be in place to assist with traffic control at both the northbound and southbound I-5 ramps.

• I-5 lane closures start at 8 p.m.
• At 10 p.m. one lane will begin using the off- and on-ramps at Steilacoom-DuPont Road.

Lanes begin reopening at 6 a.m. Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13

During these hours WSDOT recommends:

• Add at least one hour of extra travel time.
• Consider postponing or rescheduling discretionary trips.
• If possible, travel before or after the work.

WSF: Sunday Bike Ride on Vashon Island

Sunday, April 13, plan for possible delays and limited vehicle capacity on our Vashon Island routes as hundreds of bicyclists cross the island for the .����

The heaviest bike traffic is expected:����

• Departing Point Defiance: 9:15 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.��
• Vashon to Fauntleroy sailings: Midday through the afternoon����

If you’re driving onto the ferry, please plan ahead for delays or consider alternate travel times or routes.��

Take transit to all your sporting events in Seattle

• • Seattle Reign FC��will have a match at 4:30 p.m.��on Saturday at��;
  • The��Seattle Mariners��will play Friday and Saturday at 6:40 p.m. and on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. at��;
  • The��Kraken��will play on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the��;

• ��will start the����on��Saturday,��April 12 with the return of late-night weekend service to West Seattle

The affected stretch runs between Northeast 124th Street and Northeast 85th Street in Kirkland. Officials are urging travelers to consider alternate routes.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced on X that the closures will begin at 10:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11, and continue through 6:30 a.m. on Monday, April 14. The work is part of the ongoing I-405/Northeast 85th Street Interchange and Inline BRT Station Project.

For full project details and updates, visit

SB I-405 LANE CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND!
IN

Two lanes of southbound I-405 between NE 124th St & NE 85th St (mileposts 20-18) will close from 10:30 p.m. Friday, 4/11 through 6:30 a.m. Monday, 4/14. Expect lengthy delays! 🚧

More info here:

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic)