Charging Ahead: Building the infrastructure for hybrid-electric ferries

By: Kurt Workman

Over the last year, we’ve made big strides in our work to rebuild and modernize our fleet. The Wenatchee returned to service in July. It’s the largest hybrid-electric ferry conversion in North America. Having the Wenatchee in service helps us restore full domestic service. Then in August, we finalized a contract for three new ferries.

In November, we reached another milestone. We selected the vessel charging system, or VCS, that will power our hybrid-electric fleet. This decision moves electrification from planning into implementation.

Plugging into the future

Each new ferry will operate with two diesel engines and two electric motors. These engines and motors are supported by battery banks holding more than 13 megawatt-hours of storage. That is substantial capacity – roughly equivalent to the batteries in 828 Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid vehicles.

While design work continues, the system will resemble an overhead charging arm mounted on a platform near the terminal. Once a vessel is secured at the dock, the arm will connect, deliver power, and disconnect before departure.

A current riders won’t feel

Vessel charging is designed to fit within normal operations. Ferries will recharge each time they dock at a charging terminal, using our typical 20-minute loading and unloading window. Riders should see little to no change in schedules or boarding processes.

We also expect minimal change to the overall look and feel of terminals. The charging equipment will sit on a platform in the water near the terminal. They deliver power through the overhead charging arm.

A snapshot of the infrastructure that will provide shore charging at our terminals.

Modernizing the fleet, port by port

Over time, we plan to add charging infrastructure to up to 16 terminals. Each location will use the same charging system so that vessels can charge where needed. That flexibility makes our system more reliable and our service more responsive across routes.

Shore power on the horizon

Next up is improvements to electrical systems at Colman Dock. In July, we will begin the process of selecting a contractor for that work. A request for qualifications will be issued this spring, followed by a request for proposals in the summer.

Details on contracting opportunities can be found on the WSDOT contracting site.

Terminal and new vessel electrification schedule through 2030

Charting the course ahead

Modernizing the fleet requires more than new vessels. It requires durable, systemwide infrastructure.

Investments in shore charging are central to rebuilding the fleet and reducing emissions. These improvements also deliver long-term fuel and maintenance savings for Washingtonians. This work positions the ferry system for dependable service in the decades ahead.

Read more about ferry system electrification.

Why so much construction in Puget Sound? What to know about I-5, I-405, SR 520 and more through 2028

By RB McKeon

What the next two years of construction in Greater Puget Sound mean for travelers

Over the next two years, travelers across Greater Puget Sound will see an unprecedented level of construction activity. This is not the result of a single project, but the cumulative effect of major efforts moving forward at the same time.  

From I-5 and I-405 to SR 520, I-90 and key freight and commuter routes, major corridors across the region will have overlapping construction. This isn't so much a temporary spike or a single busy season as it is a sustained construction era.

Map of 2026 major WSDOT projects in the greater Puget Sound region

And we know what you may be thinking: You've been saying "This year will be worse than the last" for years now.

Yes. We've consistently emphasized that construction impacts would intensify year over year, and they have. What makes 2026 different is the baseline we're operating from. Sustained lane reductions on northbound I-5 through downtown Seattle are in place for an extended duration, and that work zone underpins everything else happening across the regions.

The region's transportation system is at a tipping point. Much of the infrastructure is old, overstressed, and operating beyond what it was designed to handle. Meanwhile, our region's population continues to grow. We need to support that growth safely and strategically. That means adding capacity to our roads, improving access and strengthening transit connections.

When you step back and look at the full picture, a clear pattern emerges: there is no single "big project." The next two years represent a coordinated effort to preserve, maintain and improve our most vital corridors.

Revive I-5 underpins everything

At the center of all of this construction is Revive I-5, the largest active preservation project in the state.  I-5 is Washington's most heavily traveled corridor.  It carries hundreds of thousands of trips a day, supports regional transit and freight and has very few true alternatives.

Birds-eye view of the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge deck

When something happens on I-5, the impacts ripple across the entire system. That's why keeping I-5 functioning is not just one project among many: it underpins nearly every other major effort in the region. That's also why so much of the region's construction strategy is built around keeping I-5 operational, even while other corridors are under construction.

Most of our current and upcoming work is designed around that reality: preserving aging pavement and bridges, while maintaining enough flexibility to keep the system balanced during simultaneous construction.

Why is construction happening year-round?  

Keeping Washington's highways and bridges in good working order takes year-round planning, coordination and effort. While summer brings the most visible construction, work doesn't stop when the seasons change.

It may feel like closures show up at the worst possible time. But behind every closure is a careful plan that weighs the cost and benefits and tries to get the job done as safely, efficiently and as smoothly as possible.

Why do you close roads on weekends?

We don't choose weekends to make life difficult. We choose them because experience shows they're often the best option. Over time, we've learned that while weekend detours are frustrating, weekday commute disruptions are even harder for people to manage. Keeping weekday commutes moving matters.

Weekends also give us longer work windows, sometimes 50 hours straight, which allows crews to make meaningful progress. If we tried to do this work only overnight, it would stretch on for months. And travelers have told us clearly: they don't want that, either.

This isn't just about speed. It's about doing the work correctly. Concrete needs time to cure. Materials must be tested to safely carry daily traffic. And it's why much of this work must happen during limited weather windows. Long weekend closures allow crews to stay on site and work more safely. They also reduce how often work zones need to be set up and taken down, a process that takes hours each time and adds up quickly.

Safety comes first

Safety drives every decision we make. When you see closures that extend well beyond the immediate work area, longer tapers or multiple lanes closed, that space isn't arbitrary. It's there to protect the people doing the work and the people driving through it.  Work zone collisions happen nearly every day. And behind each data point is a real person with a real family and a life that can change in an instant. Behind every cone is someone's coworker, someone's parent, someone's friend. Our goal is simple: everyone gets home safely.  Many of our work zones also include the use of a work zone speed camera.

Work zone speed cameras in an active work zone

Making the most of every hour of a road closure

When we have limited work windows, crews use every minute. Projects are carefully sequenced, and when possible, work is bundled (like paving, striping and drainage) to reduce the need for future closures.

But resources are stretched thin. Across Washington and the country, there's a shortage of skilled workers and specialized equipment. Crews and tools move from one job to the next. We can't simply add new teams when one project finishes early.

Weather adds another layer of complexity. A rainy weekend can shift an entire sequence of work, creating a domino effect across multiple projects. That's the reality of building and maintaining a live transportation system.

The overall effect: everything feels congested

When major highways are under construction, traffic doesn't disappear. People still need to get where they're going: for work, school, appointments, events and time with family and friends. Freight keeps moving too.

When we close a corridor like I-5, I-405 or I-90, traffic shifts onto other highways and local roads that weren't built for that volume. Even with signed detours and coordinated signal timing, traffic spreads. A short cross-town trip can take much longer during major closures.

At the same time, WSDOT is not the only agency doing construction. Cities, counties and transit agencies across the region are delivering major projects of their own from new transit lines and trail connections to interchange rebuilds and local bridge work. These investments are essential, but together, they mean much of the region's transportation network is under construction at once.

You still have options

Even in a system under construction, travelers have choices. Those choices matter even more during extended construction periods like the one we're in now. Transit, park and rides, flexible schedules and real-time information can make a meaningful difference, especially during major closures and busy event weekends. Using transit for part of your trip, or driving to a park and ride and then transferring, can help avoid parking costs and inner-city congestion while still keeping flexibility.

We know these next two years of construction will be tougher than previous years.  Planning ahead makes a difference. Here are some resources that can help:

• Community Transit – Plan My Trip
• King County Metro – Trip Planner
• Pierce Transit – Trip Itineraries
• Sound Transit – Schedules and routes

Another helpful tool is Flip Your Trip, which brings together biking, scooting, walking, transit and rideshare options to help people get around Seattle safely and easily.

The bottom line

Construction isn't just something we do. It's how we keep Washington's roads, bridges and highways strong, reliable and ready for the future. Much of this work reflects what travelers have been asking for: improved safety, smoother roads, resilient bridges and an investment in our infrastructure.

A victory emerges from December’s historic flooding

By Antonio Estrada

December storms are nothing new in Washington, but their effects can be. In December 2025, a series of powerful atmospheric rivers hit the state. They dumped over 10 inches of rain in some areas. The result was catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage to homes, businesses and roads. However, there were a few areas that got a lot of rain but didn’t flood.

For decades, the stretch of southbound Interstate 5 near the Fife curve was known as a trouble spot for chronic flooding. During heavy rainstorms, it was inevitable that lanes would close due to flooding. That disrupted freight, daily commutes and emergency response. This year, despite intense rainfall and closures on other state routes, all lanes of I-5 in this area stayed open. So, what changed?

I-5 near the Fife curve is in a unique landscape. Long before the interstate existed, this area was a natural wetland and floodplain. Over time, development routed Hylebos Creek into irrigation channels and changed the floodplain into farmland. That limited where floodwater could go. During prolonged and heavy rainfall, water from a swollen Hylebos Creek and highway runoff would pool where it didn’t belong – on the freeway.

For years, the result was predictable: heavy rain meant flooding, and flooding meant closures. It was a recurring problem with real consequences for the region’s economy and mobility.

The storms that hit in December 2025 delivered a lot of rainfall in a short period of time – exactly the kind of conditions that have caused problems for this section of I-5. But this time, all lanes stayed open.

Since 2022, crews working on the SR 167 Completion Project have been restoring former wetland areas and streams on either side of I-5 in Fife. The project revitalizes over 150 acres of land. It establishes new stormwater control in the area by giving flood water a place to go rather than the freeway. Streams were widened and realigned to create more natural channels. These channels reconnect the active stream with restored wetlands which act as a storage place for flood water.

In other words, the area was intentionally re-shaped to once again function like a floodplain - a place where flood water goes so it can slowly seep into the soil and streams instead of overwhelming stream banks and pooling on the road.

Aerial photo of I-5 near the Fife curve, looking south, during the December 2025 storms across Washington.

The result of December’s storms was clear: floodwater moved through the restored floodplain wetlands and stream systems as intended, and traffic kept moving too.

Photos from past storms show parts of I-5 underwater. When compared with images from December, the contrast is striking: the same location, the same type of storm, but a very different outcome.

Aerial view of historic flooding at I-5 near the Fife curve, looking north, due to heavy rainfall. The right lanes of southbound I-5 (on the left) and the left lane of northbound I-5 (on the right) are closed because of water on the road.

These pictures tell the story clearly. What was once a weak point in the system is now a strength.

Keeping lanes open on a major interstate during a major storm isn’t just convenient, it’s critical. Freight deliveries continue, commutes stay reliable and emergency services can move when they need to.

This project shows how long-term planning and investment can pay off when conditions are toughest. It supports infrastructure that’s built not just for average days, but for extreme weather events that are becoming more common.

The December 2025 storms caused real damage across the state, and recovery work continues. But as we take stock of what needs fixing, it’s just as important to recognize what’s working well.

The floodplain wetland and stream restoration near I-5 in Fife shows how a long-standing flooding challenge can be transformed into a lasting solution. Through thoughtful design, environmental restoration and strong partnerships, the project has created infrastructure that is more resilient and better equipped to meet future demands.

Making the I-90 Interchange Work Better for Rainier Avenue South

By: April Delchamps

Playing smart, not just playing hard

The Seahawks are heading to the Superbowl! Whether you're preparing for gameday or watching highlights from past games, one thing stands out: winning is not just about effort; it is about strategy and teamwork. The best teams make smart decisions. They adapt to changing conditions and use every part of the field effectively.

You do not win games by doing the same thing over and over when it is not working. You adjust. You read the situation. You make choices based on what is actually happening, not just what you wish would happen.

That is exactly the approach we are taking with Rainier Avenue South as part of the Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities Study.

Map of the Judkins Park area with the I-90 ramps endpoints shown as orange dots.

What is this study about?

WSDOT is studying ways to change the Intersate-90 ramps. Our goals are:

• Improving safe travel for all, especially pedestrians and people biking at I-90 ramp termini.
• Increasing community connectivity and access to the Judkins Park Link light rail station for those who ride transit, walk, bike and roll.

To learn more, check out the webpage: I-90 Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities | WSDOT

Our study follows a clear seven step process to find the best solutions for reconnecting the community. Check out our September 2025 blog post to learn more about the process.

Community input: strategy based on local knowledge

We heard you loud and clear: you want to prioritize walking, rolling and biking, while keeping vehicle access to businesses, homes and services. In response, we are modeling the total number of lanes (driving lanes and bus lanes) from six to four. Learn more about your feedback on our September blog post.

Understanding the playing field

Interstates are designed for moving vehicles efficiently and quickly. The vision for Seattle is that moving around city streets should be safe, equitable and sustainable. All people and businesses can access their daily needs and feel connected to their community.

What Rainier Avenue South looks like

Currently, there are six traffic lanes where the I-90 ramps meet Rainier Avenue South in Judkins Park, including two bus priority lanes.

Today's Rainier Avenue South under I-90 has six lanes.

We are modeling different options for the total number of lanes to include options between four and six lanes at this location.

This matters to your daily life because it affects how you get around. Whether you drive, take the bus, walk or bike, this decision shapes your experience traveling through Judkins Park.

Testing different traffic scenarios

Good coaches do not just show up on game day and hope for the best. They study films, run practice scenarios, and test different formations. Our key question: How many lanes do we need on Rainier Avenue South at the I-90 interchange?

We fully acknowledge that Seattle is growing. The population is increasing, and people will be making more trips than ever. But here is the key difference: not everyone will be driving a car to do it.

To expand travel options and continue moving people and goods throughout a growing city without the need to widen roads, our region is investing heavily in travel options: new light rail routes, RapidRide bus service and improved walking and biking routes. The logic is simple but powerful: when people have high-quality, reliable travel options, they actually use them. By diversifying our transportation network, we protect the character of our city while ensuring everyone can get where they need to go efficiently.

We tested two main scenarios for traffic between now and 2050:

• Scenario A: Flat growth of traffic - Traffic volumes stay similar to what we see today. Even if the same number of cars keep using Rainier Avenue South between the I-90 ramps, four lanes can continue to support traffic moving with congestion during the busiest times of the day.
• Scenario B: Reduced growth of traffic – Traffic volumes decrease because more people shift to transit, walking, rolling and biking. With fewer vehicles on the road, four traffic lanes with (one lane for vehicles and one lane for buses (outside lane) in each direction) can keep people and goods moving.

Both scenarios support reducing the number of lanes in three out of the four alternatives.

Why four lanes: working smarter, not bigger

We coordinated with SDOT to model scenarios that would potentially reduce Rainier Avenue South to four lanes at the I-90 interchange to improve conditions for people walking, biking and rolling. Modeling these scenarios will help us identify our preferred option for changing the I-90 ramps. Here's what we found:

Four lanes is the minimum number of lanes we need to keep traffic and freight moving and support reliable bus service. It also supports better facilities for people walking, rolling and biking. Four lanes allow buses to stop in a dedicated bus lane, rather than merging in and out of traffic, improving transit reliability.

Remember that this is just what we've studied – any actual changes to Rainier Avenue South would be determined by SDOT working closely with community and other agency partners.

Much like a football game, using available space is important when designing pedestrian and bike improvements.

Dedicated transit lanes, bike lanes and pedestrian options – the key to making this work

How we use the field matters. Bus lanes, bike lanes and pedestrian improvements are key pieces for this area. We are prioritizing the modes that move the most people most efficiently.

Why dedicated transit lanes matter:

• Transit moves more people: One bus with its own lane replaces dozens of cars.
• Reliability changes behavior: When buses arrive on schedule because they have dedicated lanes, more people choose transit. SDOT recently completed extension of the northbound bus lane on Rainier Avenue South from South Walden Street to South State Street in summer 2025 and Route 7 riders have already seen an average saving of up to 5 minutes per trip during the busiest morning hours.
• Access for everyone: Reliable transit serves the communities that depend on it most. For people who cannot drive, cannot afford a car or choose not to drive, it is how they get to work, school, medical appointments and everywhere else.
• Increased ridership and connections: Rainier Ave South is an important transit corridor, serving tens of thousands of daily riders on King County Metro bus routes 4, 7, 9, 48, 50 and 106. Route 7 alone serves an average of 12,000 daily weekday riders (as of September 2025). Bus lanes facilitate better connections with other transit options in the Rainier Valley, such as Mount Baker Transit Center, Mount Baker Light Rail Station, and the soon-to-open Judkins Park Light Rail Station.

Why bike lanes and pedestrian improvements matter:

When walking, rolling and biking are comfortable, more people can use them for everyday trips. Features like protected bike lanes and protected crossings make these options work for people of different ages and abilities. This is especially important near the new light rail station, where many people will arrive this way, including families, students, and seniors.

The Study's recommended configuration: One bus lane and one vehicle lane in each direction, plus dedicated space for people walking, rolling and biking. This balances multiple needs while prioritizing what works best for the most people.

What does this alternative mean for you?

If you drive

• Two lanes will remain for cars (one lane in each direction).
• Expect some congestion during rush hour.
• You will still be able to access local businesses and services.

If you take the bus

• Your bus will have its own dedicated lane.
• Buses will not get stuck in traffic.
• More reliable arrival times: you can plan your schedule with more confidence.
• Frequent buses, especially during rush hour.
• Better connections to the new light rail station.

If you walk, roll or bike

• More crossings with fewer lanes of traffic to navigate.
• More space dedicated to walking, rolling and biking.
• Better connections to the light rail station.
• Separated (protected) bike lanes where possible.
• Improved sidewalks and crosswalks.

If you own or work at a local business

• Customers can still drive to your business.
• Better transit access brings more potential customers.
• People walking, rolling, and biking are more likely to stop at local shops.
• Deliveries and loading zones will still be accessible.

Team coordination: WSDOT and SDOT working together

The best teams in football are not just talented, they work together.

Many agency partners are working together in this area: Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development, Seattle Parks and Recreation, King County Metro Transit, Sound Transit and more. We work together, with approaches that support each other.

Rethinking the I-90 ramps will impact Rainier Avenue South. Because of this, we are working with SDOT on details for Rainier Avenue South:

• SDOT and WSDOT have already made near-term improvements in the area. These are quick changes that address some current conditions. Learn more at their I-90/Judkins Park Station Near-Term Crossing Improvements webpage.
• WSDOT is working on long-term solutions to rethink the I-90 ramps with this study.
• SDOT has a paving project on Rainier Avenue South between South Jackson Streets and South Walden Street funded by the 2024 Seattle Transportation Levy. SDOT will engage with the public agency partners on how to modernize this segment of Rainier Avenue South to improve safety, equity, and sustainability.
• WSDOT and SDOT meet regularly, share data and align our approaches. When one of us does something, the other is participating and ready to support, as much as possible.

What is happening now

The engineers are evaluating the four alternatives. Learn more about all four alternatives in our December blog post.

In the coming months, we will share draft results from our alternatives analysis and select the preferred alternative and move forward with detailed design work. The specific design details will depend on which alternative we select. Each alternative has different implications for how the street will function.

Working in partnership with other agencies and by continuing to collect input from the public, we will figure out the specifics: exact locations for bus stops, crosswalk designs and locations, bike lane configurations, sidewalk improvements and stormwater management solutions. These details matter because they affect how the final design actually works in your daily life.

Timeline and funding

Final design and construction of WSDOT's preferred option for the I-90 interchange will depend on future funding. Later this year, SDOT will begin engaging the community on how to modernize Rainier Avenue South between South Jackson Street and South Walden Street with their levy funded paving project.

Learn more and stay informed

We are committed to transparency throughout this process. Just like the Seahawks' Twelves, your feedback makes a difference. Thanks for helping to make this community driven.

Study webpage

• Visit the project page for the latest updates, detailed information and recordings/presentations from our Advisory Group meetings.
• Email updates: Sign up for Seattle area news and study updates.

Contact Info

Amber Stanley - Community Engagement Lead
Phone: 206-817-8833
Email: amber.stanley@wsdot.wa.gov

GO SEAHAWKS!