Building BRIDGES to independence and pride

 By Caitlin Cormier, WSDOT Office of Equity & Civil Rights

We celebrate Disability Pride Month every July. This month we want to bring attention to a new partnership that includes personal, professional and disability pride.

In June, we joined with Seattle Public Schools for a pilot program that brought the BRIDGES program to Colman Dock. (Colman Dock is our Seattle ferry terminal.)

A busy Colman Dock on Seattle's Pier 52 was the site of the pilot BRIDGES program where students, in green WSDOT work vests, helped ferry passengers.

BRIDGES stands for Building Real-life Independent Daily Living and Gainful Employment Skills. It is a program designed for young adults with disabilities. People 18-21 years old who have completed grade 12 can take part. The program helps them meet their individual goals after high school.

Students go to various community volunteer sites with school staff. There, they can develop and hone job, life and independent living skills. The vision of the BRIDGES program is a world where young adults with disabilities gain new skills and feel empowered to be engaged community members. Participants get help to launch their successful and meaningful futures.

So, on two separate bright, warm June days, we, along with SPS staff, accompanied several students to Colman Dock. The terminal’s location and accessibility make it easy to visit the area. It’s a great place to see opportunities for those interested in working within the state Ferries system.

Students from Seattle Public Schools, in green vests, who volunteered as part of a work-experience program at Colman Dock, with SPS job coach Tim Bauer.

“The pilot was a success. We look forward to expanding to more opportunities like this in the future,” said Travis Mahlum, External Workforce Development manager in WSDOT’s Office of Equity & Civil Rights. “Staff members at the terminal were wonderful at explaining jobs. They gave these young adults the opportunity to assist guests who were scanning their tickets, boarding the ferry and looking for items at the Lost and Found booth.”

Justin Ellenson, BRIDGES Transition teacher with SPS, said, “We’re all very excited about bringing BRIDGES here! A large part of my job as a transition teacher is finding various opportunities for students to learn job-readiness skills. I’m thrilled about this partnership, because it can show these young adults new career paths that they hadn’t even considered. Getting to volunteer time with our local ferry system is a fun way to connect with our community in a meaningful way.”

Mahlum also shared that, “Programs like BRIDGES are crucial to bridging the equality gap for people in our most underserved communities who may otherwise be unaware of such chances to gain life and job experience.”

Ellenson expressed that his goal for students in the BRIDGES program is to learn skills that will help them become as independent as possible in their adult lives. He wants students to be able to advocate for themselves as they grow. He’s found that Seattle business owners have welcomed the students as meaningful members of the working world. They understand that everyone brings value in their own ways.

Importantly, BRIDGES is successful according to the students:

“While I’m at Colman Dock, I guide people through the turnstiles and help them with their tickets,” said student James Roderick. “I like the views, looking at the boats, and the smell of the salt water. It’s a calm environment and I’m looking forward to learning more next year.”

“I’ve been helping do the fire checks around the terminal and helping customers with their tickets. I like that it’s a different work experience,” said student Lily Meyer. “The people that work in the terminal have been helpful. Next school year, I hope to continue volunteering there.”

Working with SPS on this opportunity for these young adults reminded us that pride comes in all forms.

BRIDGES at Colman Dock in Seattle will restart in the fall, when the school year begins again.

US 12 Wishkah River Bridge repairs – another preservation tale

By: Olympic Region Communications

Aberdeen bridge gets a not-so-welcome present for its 100 ^th birthday

The century-old Wishkah River Bridge didn’t get a cake or candles when it turned 100 this spring – it got an unwelcome birthday present.

The Grays Harbor County icon was weight restricted in June, meaning large trucks like semis and others could no longer use the bridge. Vehicles over the weight limit had to detour around the bridge using US 101 and State Route 107.

When certain vehicles are restricted from using a bridge, signs are placed approaching the bridge notifying travelers. These signs were placed on US 12 near the Wishkah River Bridge after the bridge was weight restricted in June 2025. The signs were covered on July 22, after repairs were completed.

Have you ever hurt your knee or ankle and been told to keep your weight off it?

A bridge weight restriction is a lot like that. When our engineers find a problem, they may limit the amount of weight that can go over the bridge until the issue can be fixed.

The Wishkah River Bridge was given a break from heavy loads after a recent inspection showed one of its steel beams had signs of cracks and advanced decay.

One of the steel beams that supports the bridge was deteriorating.

During a 12-hour repair on Monday, July 21, crews fastened steel plates to the aging beam. Like a cast on a broken bone, the fix will help support the beam and allow the structure to hold more weight again. Once the repairs were made, bridge engineers determined the weight restriction could be removed.

Bridge crews fabricated steel supports to fasten to the corroded beam on the aging bridge. Due to the age of the structure, many of its parts must be custom made to be replaced.

Upcoming preservation work
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Wishkah River Bridge. We have a project scheduled to replace several mechanical components of the bridge that begins in 2026. This work will require a combination of nighttime lane closures and several four-day closures of the bridge. When the bridge is closed, travelers will detour either on the Heron Street bridge or via SR 107 and US 101.

We know this work can be disruptive for travelers, but we also need to balance to need to maintain and preserve our critical bridge infrastructure for future generations. We will announce lane and bridge closures in advance.

Harbor bridges
The Wishkah River Bridge is the oldest of five movable bridges on state routes in Grays Harbor County – and none of them are spring chickens. Originally built in 1925, the Wishkah River Bridge is a single leaf bascule span bridge. A bascule bridge is a type of drawbridge that moves in an upward swing to allow for boats to pass. On average, 16,392 vehicles a day cross the Wishkah River in Aberdeen using this bridge. The sign on the counterweight portion of the bridge also greets travelers to Aberdeen.

The next oldest is the 97-year-old Simpson Avenue Bridge on US 101. Each one needs preservation work that has been postponed year after year due to dwindling transportation preservation funds.

The five state-managed moveable bridges of Grays Harbor County. From top: The US 12 Wishkah River Bridge in Aberdeen is 100 years old and the US 101 Riverside Bridge in Hoquiam is 55 years old. The US 101 Chehalis River Bridge in Aberdeen is 70 years old, the US 12 Heron Street Bridge in Aberdeen is 76 years old, and the US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge in Hoquiam in 97 years old.

Our dedicated maintenance crew who care for the bridges know most of their quirks. For instance, they can’t open some bridges for boats when it gets too hot. That’s because the bridge will get stuck open when the steel in the structure expands in the heat. Other times, the bridges surprise them by blowing a hard-to-reach fuse.

These bridge structures were state of the art when they were built, but that was 100 years ago. Keeping them moving for both boats and vehicles is becoming more challenging. The aging structures fight time, tides, temperatures and a host of challenges posed by the harsh environments.

The bigger issue

Weight restrictions on bridges may not be something you think about. But we do. Our bridge engineers across the state are constantly assessing and evaluating more than 3,400 state-owned bridges.

In Washington, we have 133 bridges that are load posted or load restricted. Each is listed as a travel alert on our website. The longer this list grows, the more challenging it is for all of us to navigate familiar routes.

Without large scale preservation projects to repaint the bridges or, in some cases, replace them, we will continue to see bridges weight restricted, load posted or closed.

While we are able to address the current issue on the Wishkah River Bridge relatively quickly, weight restrictions can often be in place for several months or years. The size of the repair and type of restriction often determines how long it takes before a fix is made. Repairs are unique to each structure.

This is a really serious issue we are facing. A quick snapshot of nearby state bridges shows the maintenance and preservation backlog:

• US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge in Hoquiam, age 97 needs its timber approaches replaced.
• The eastbound US 12 Heron Street Bridge, also in Aberdeen, is 76-years old and needs to be replaced. We plan on replacing the bridge deck in 2026.
• SR 109 Grass Creek Bridge north of Hoquiam needs to be replaced. We performed an emergency repair in 2022 to address excessive rot in some of the bridge’s timber piles – but it’s not a permanent fix.
• SR 165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge outside of Carbonado was recently permanently closed after inspections revealed new deterioration of the steel supports across the 103-year-old bridge. There is no funding to remove the bridge. There is no public detour for this bridge.
• The SR 162 Spiketon Creek Bridge in Buckley closed in 2018 and reopened in 2019 with a temporary bridge structure. Funding for a permanent replacement continues to be deferred. The original bridge is 89 years old.
• SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge – this is the longest floating bridge in the U.S. in saltwater and is experiencing deterioration in the west half concrete bridge girders and beams. It also is weight restricted.

This list is a small snapshot of the bigger challenge that expands across the state. It’s a tough spot to be in. We don’t like closing highways because a bridge has failed – and we can only use funds designated for preservation to do the work.

We strive to combine careful management and schedules to maximize bridge lifespans. However, due to many years of underfunding, we simply don’t have enough funds to meet all our bridge preservation needs. Strategic investment now focuses on the “worst of the worst” bridges and pavements. We continue to communicate this growing backlog to lawmakers who shape our budget.

• This means we cannot be as proactive as we would like to fix minor needs before they become major problems.
• In many cases we’re merely slowing the rate of decay instead of proactively preserving our bridges.

You might ask what we factor when determining how to prioritize where to spend the limited preservation funds we have:

• Border bridges: Bridges that cross state lines receive added attention due to their regional importance and shared responsibility.
• Movable or floating bridges: These are often prioritized due to their complex mechanical systems and exposure to harsh marine environments.
• Lifeline routes: We work with state emergency managers to identify a network of essential state highways in areas of Puget Sound with high earthquake damage risk and the large populations. Bridges that need seismic retrofits in these areas are prioritized. This ensures we have a workable roadway network to bring in supplies and emergency vehicles in the event of a major earthquake.
• Severity of deterioration: The structural condition of a bridge plays a central role in how urgently it needs repairs or replacement.
• Risk of route closure: Bridges are prioritized if failing to perform the preservation work could lead to partial or full route closures, affecting safety and mobility (or until it can be stabilized and reopened).
• Funding: We use the list above, but the amount of funding lawmakers designate to preservation also must be factored in when deciding which work can and cannot be accomplished.

We’re glad we have a fix for the Wishkah and grateful for our crews, who pulled this together relatively quickly for all of us. We’ve learned to take our small wins whenever we can.

Commercial vehicle operators are responsible for knowing the loads of their vehicles. Additional information is found in the Commercial Vehicle Guide.

If you would like to learn more about bridge preservation, our Grey Notebook is a great resource to check out.

Hey everyone: the Montlake Project is complete*: finally!

By Steve Peer

After six years of construction, we’ve finally reached a major milestone for the SR 520 Program’s Montlake Project. This project has reached substantial completion (more on what that means below).

Constructing a project of this size isn’t easy in any circumstances. In this case, there was also a worldwide pandemic, a concrete worker strike, stormy weather and a bunch of other unexpected challenges. We couldn’t have built this project without the support and patience of hundreds of partners, lawmakers, advocates, businesses, and, of course, neighbors.

We want to share this video with you to celebrate all we’ve accomplished and thank everyone who helped us get to this point.

*The Project is actually “substantially” complete, not 100% done

Substantial completion is a term we use when a project has completed all the major construction elements. Substantial completion is different from “physical completion”. To get to physical completion, we need to cross off all the remaining tasks on our punch list. And by punch list, we don’t mean juice.

What’s a punch list?

A punch list (a.k.a. to-do list) is our final checklist. This is how we make sure the contractor has met all the project requirements and obligations. Here are some examples of items on the punch list:

• Installing a pole on Hamlin Street
• Planting missing vegetation
• Rebuilding or adjusting a few things that were not quite right (like ADA ramps and wayfinding signs for pedestrians and bicyclists)

We expect the Montlake Project to reach physical completion in the coming months. After that, our contractor, Graham, will maintain plants and landscaping for three years. That way we know they are healthy and okay. Also, just like a warranty you have on your car or an appliance, all constructed elements on the project are under warranty for one year. Our contractor would be on the hook to replace those items if they faltered or malfunctioned.

Bottom Line: all major work is done but some minor work still remains. We’ve (*substantially) delivered a project that has improved all modes of transportation in the area. We've also: 

• added green space 
• increased mobility 
• connected neighborhoods that were previously severed by the highway.

Thank you to everyone who helped us get to the finish line!

The One Where You Get Where You Want To Go: Seattle Summer Travel Guide

The one where they’re trying to figure it out… just like you planning your summer travel.

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is about as close to perfect as it gets – except for one thing, construction. And with Revive I-5, we have some of that happening.

Between closures, detours, transit, ferries and alternate routes, there are a lot of options and a lot of decisions. We know it can be overwhelming. The good news? No matter which option you choose, you won’t be stuck staring at a crumpled sheet of coffee-stained MapQuest directions, wondering if you missed your exit.

We’ve put together this travel guide to help you get where you want (and need) to go. Whether it’s a ballgame, a festival, a concert or just exploring somewhere new, a little planning goes a long way to make the most of your summer adventures.

Planning resources

• Community Transit – Plan My Trip
  Travelling to Seattle from Snohomish County? Community Transit can get you there.
• King County Metro - Trip Planner
  Enter your starting location and destination to find the best transit route.
• Pierce Transit – Trip Itineraries
  If venturing up from Tacoma and surrounding areas, check out Pierce Transit options.
• Sound Transit
  Find schedules and routes for the light rail, Sounder train, and express buses.

When you take advantage of a park and ride, you can drive to a nearby transit stop and head to Seattle without worrying about parking or inner-city traffic. It’s the best of both worlds.

Flip Your Trip is an excellent resource to get to and around Seattle. Check it out for everything you need to bike, scoot, walk, roll, transit, and share rides safely and easily.

Destination: Summer fun!

Seattle Center: You can get there by bus or rail. Take Link light rail to Westlake Station and then hop on the monorail. You’ll arrive right at the Armory. Metro routes 1, 2, 4, 8, 13, 24, 29, 31, 33 and the Rapid Ride D Line will also drop you off at Seattle Center. Rapid Ride E Line and routes 5 and 28 serve the Center along Aurora Avenue North. Get ready for your ride with the King County Metro trip planner.

T-Mobile Park/Lumen Field: Get down to SODO to experience the action. We recommend you walk, park and ride, or take a bus to your nearest light rail station (International District/Chinatown Station is a little closer to Lumen Field, while Stadium Station is a little closer to T-Mobile Park). Special Sounder Game Trains serve the area from as far as Everett and Lakewood. If you’re heading into downtown from West Seattle you can take the King County Water Taxi any day of the week, the Vashon Water Taxi runs on weekdays.

Seafair events: The multi-week event brings people together with fireworks, ships, and running (if you’re into that). Seafair’s main event (Seafair Weekend) happens Aug. 1-3. Seafair invites fans to use public transportation, including Metro and Link light rail, as well as ride-share and bicycle options. Guests arriving via Link light rail can get off at the Columbia City Station and take advantage of free round-trip shuttle service from the station to the park Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Seafair’s Torchlight Parade is back at its traditional evening start time this year. The parade kicks off at Alaskan Way and Broad Street before traveling south to its conclusion at the intersection of Alaskan Way and Yesler Way. Several Link light rail stations provide easy access to the route: Pioneer Square and Symphony Station are the closest.

Check out the Seafair website for the schedule and more info.

Prefer to drive?

I-5 express lanes will be northbound only for the duration of the work from July 18 to Aug. 18. They work for getting to the University District, Lake City, Northgate and then back to the I-5 mainline to all other northern destinations.

• July 18-21 and Aug. 15-18 (Full northbound I-5 lane closures from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street):
  Drivers on northbound I-5 heading north of downtown will have the option to take the express lanes. If you want to access downtown, you can use the eastbound I-90, Edgar Martinez Drive or the Dearborn, James or Madison Street exits. All other downtown exits from northbound I-5 will be closed
• July 21-Aug. 15 (Northbound I-5 two-lane reductions):
  Driving on mainline northbound I-5 is still an option. Plan for extra time as lane reductions across the Ship Canal Bridge, north of downtown Seattle, will likely slow your trip. All downtown exits will be open. The express lanes will also be available northbound.

Map showing full closure of northbound I-5 between I-90 and NE 45th Street in Seattle and the available options to drivers.

Heading south into downtown Seattle?

• Southbound I-5 will be open to traffic. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination as the express lanes will be running in the northbound direction during construction.
• Heads up commuters! I-5 express lanes usually operate southbound on weekday mornings. If you commute to downtown Seattle on weekday mornings, check traffic, plan alternates, and expect delays due to decreased capacity.

Heading west into downtown Seattle?

• July 18-21 and Aug. 15-18 (Full northbound I-5 closures from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street):
  Drivers can use westbound SR 520 and exit to southbound I-5 to get downtown. Drivers can also use I-90 to exit at Rainier Avenue South, 4th Avenue South, or Edgar Martinez Drive South.
• July 21-Aug. 15 (Northbound I-5 lane reductions):
  SR 520 or I-90 will be open and able to reach downtown.

But have you tried a ferry?

• Washington State Ferries from Bainbridge Island and Bremerton will take you right into the city.
• Washington State Ferries from Southworth and Vashon Island arrive in West Seattle. Be prepared for traffic and detours if headed north throughout construction.
• The King County Water Taxi takes you right into downtown Seattle from West Seattle and Vashon Island.
• The Kitsap Fast Ferry takes you right into downtown Seattle from Bremerton, Kingston, and Southworth.

Here are some final quick tips before we go:

• Take transit! It’s the best, most reliable way to get around – and youth 18 and under ride free.
• Check the WSDOT traffic app for real-time information to know before you go and plan your trip.
• Visit the Revive I-5: Ship Canal Bridge Preservation project page for more updates, closure info and a closer look at what’s next.
• Follow us on social media for real-time information and because we are funny over there.

The One With the Big Closure (And the Next Four Weeks)

 By: RB McKeon

No monkey business here — Revive I-5 is moving into the next phase. This weekend’s closure sets the stage for four weeks of work on the Ship Canal Bridge to help keep Seattle moving.

No monkey business here

We’ve been talking about this for months, and now it’s here. We’re swinging into the next phase of Revive I-5 with a full northbound closure this weekend, July 18 – 21, through Seattle. This work sets the stage for four weeks of lane reductions across the Ship Canal Bridge. It’s the kind of preservation work that keeps this vital connection through the heart of Seattle strong and moving for years to come.

What’s happening?

Starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 18, through 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, all lanes of northbound I-5 between I-90 and NE 45th Street will close. This closure gives crews the space they need to restripe lanes and build a protective work zone on the Ship Canal Bridge. Once in place, that work zone allows the next big phase of preservation to get underway.

During the northbound I-5 closure from July 18–21, drivers heading north through Seattle will be routed onto the express lanes. Exits to Edgar Martinez Drive, I-90 eastbound, and downtown Seattle via Dearborn, James, and Madison streets will remain open. The first northbound express lanes exit is at NE 42nd Street in the University District.

But wait, there’s more

This isn’t over Monday morning. From Monday, July 21, through Friday, Aug. 15, northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge will be reduced to two lanes, 24/7. These lane reductions give our crews the space they need to safely complete this preservation work. The northbound express lanes will remain open 24/7 through Aug. 18 to help keep people moving through Seattle.

From July 21 through Aug. 15, northbound I-5 will be reduced to two lanes 24/7 between SR 520 and NE 45th Street for bridge deck and expansion joint repairs on the Ship Canal Bridge.

For southbound travelers, especially those used to relying on the morning express lanes, now’s the time to plan ahead. Southbound express lanes won’t be available in the mornings during this four-week stretch. That may mean adjusting your route, your timing or considering other options like transit.

This isn’t just a WSDOT project. It takes collaboration across agencies, organizations and communities to help keep Seattle moving through this kind of work.

We’ve been working closely with our friends at the City of Seattle, SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, the Downtown Seattle Association, the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce and many others to help people get where they need to go while this important preservation work is underway. Together, we’ve reviewed traffic control strategies, adjusted schedules, and shared information to help employers, travelers and communities plan ahead for this region wide impact.

Once this four-week stretch wraps up, we’ll need one more full closure of northbound I-5 from the night of Aug. 15 through the morning of Aug. 18, to remove the work zone, restripe the lanes and return the freeway to its usual configuration.

We know you’re not on a break (with I-5)

Summer is one of the best times to be in Seattle. The weather, the events, the festivals, the parks – this is when people want to be out and about, not stuck in traffic or figuring out detours. We know this isn’t easy. Closing lanes on I-5 through the heart of the city is disruptive. It changes routines, adds time to trips and creates challenges. But this is necessary work to keep the Ship Canal Bridge in good condition and avoid larger disruptions down the road.

Knowing before you go is the best way to stay ahead of closures and avoid any surprise detours.

Stay connected:

• Project webpage: wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/revive-i-5-ship-canal-bridge-preservation
• WSDOT app: Real-time traffic updates and tools
• Social media: Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Reddit

A little planning now helps keep things moving later. This is the one with the big closure(s). The one with the lane reductions. The one that sets the stage for the future. And with your help and our partners’ help, we’re getting it done.

Diverging from the norm to deliver a diamond

Update: July 2025: Diamonds in the rough

The eight-day closure of State Route 18 July 17-25 will allow the switch to a diverging diamond at the interchange.

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By David Rasbach

Eight-day closure of SR 18 will build northern end of diverging diamond

They say diamonds are formed under pressure, and building the diverging diamond interchange at I-90 and SR 18 has been no exception. We know the closures, detours and delays have been tough. But all the time, planning and pressure has gone into shaping something that will last.

From July 17 to July 25, crews will complete the northern half of the diverging diamond interchange at I-90 and SR 18. This work requires another full closure of SR 18 in both directions at the I-90 interchange. It’s longer than the June closure because there’s more work to do, but when the road reopens on Friday morning, July 25, people will begin using the new diverging diamond configuration.

During an eight-day closure of SR 18 under the I-90 bridges, crews will build out the northern end of the new diverging diamond. When we reopen July 25, traffic will be shifted into the new configuration.   

SR 18 will be fully closed in both directions at the I-90 interchange. This closure will be in effect from 9 p.m. Thursday, July 17, through 5 a.m. Friday, July 25. No traffic will be allowed under the I-90 bridges during this time.

July 17-18 will include rolling slowdowns on I-90 and 10-minute traffic holds on SR 18 and Snoqualmie Parkway as crews stripe ramps and set the stage. As before, emergency responders will be allowed through the work zone. We’re working with freight partners to help them plan ahead and avoid using local roads as detour routes.

What’s happening during the closure?

Crews will complete a major phase of work on the northern part of the new interchange, including:

• Install drainage and electrical crossings
• Build concrete islands and curbing
• Set and program new traffic signals
• Tie in the new I-90 on-ramps
• Stripe lanes, install signs and switch to the new traffic pattern

This work compresses what would normally take months into a single week, minimizing long-term disruptions and lasting improvements to the corridor.

Detour and access information

While mainline I-90 will remain open, traffic using on- and off-ramps will be restricted:

• Eastbound I-90 off-ramp traffic can only turn right (south) onto westbound SR 18
• Westbound I-90 off-ramp traffic can only turn right (north) onto Snoqualmie Parkway
• No left turns will be allowed from either off-ramp
• Eastbound SR 18 traffic must detour via eastbound I-90 and loop around
• Southbound Snoqualmie Parkway traffic must detour via westbound I-90 and loop around

During the July 17-25 closure of SR 18, you can detour using eastbound and westbound I-90 and loop around at nearby interchanges – exit 20 (High Point Way) or exit 22 (Preston/Fall City) to the west of SR 18 or exit 27 (Southeast North Bend Way) east of SR 18 – to reach your destination.   

Maintaining access: Emergency responders will be allowed through the SR 18 work zone under the I-90 bridges during the closure.

Freight advisory: Freight haulers heading westbound on I-90 should plan ahead:

• Use Exit 22 (Preston/Fall City) to loop back to westbound SR 18
• Or continue west on I-90 to southbound I-405

Please do not use Snoqualmie or Issaquah city streets or Issaquah-Hobart Road. These streets are not suitable for semi-truck traffic.

Westbound I-90 freight traffic should either use exit 22 (Preston/Fall City) to loop back to SR 18 or continue on westbound I-90 to southbound I-405. Issaquah city streets and Issaquah-Hobart Road are not suitable for semi-trucks.   

Full detours will use:

• Exit 20 (High Point Way) or exit 22 (Preston-Fall City)
• Exit 27 (Southeast North Bend Way)

We expect delays, especially during peak travel times. Please plan ahead, leave early and consider alternate routes if possible. Real-time traffic updates are available via the WSDOT app and travel map.

People trying to reach Snoqualmie during the closure of SR 18 should use eastbound I-90, loop around to westbound I-90 at Southeast North Bend Way (exit) 27 and exit to SR 18/Snoqualmie Parkway.

During the closure of SR 18, people coming from Snoqualmie Pass will have to follow a detour to reach westbound SR 18, while people heading from eastbound SR 18 toward the pass can follow their normal route.

During the closure of SR 18, people coming from Snoqualmie and heading to Maple Valley or over Snoqualmie Pass will need to use westbound I-90 and loop around at the Preston or High Point interchanges.

During the closure of SR 18, people coming from south of the I-90/SR 18 interchange who need head west on I-90 will need to use eastbound I-90 and loop around at Southeast North Bend Way.

What’s next

Opening the diverging diamond marks a major milestone in the I-90/SR 18 interchange project.

Work still remains, as we’ll need to return in the next few weeks to add a top layer of asphalt throughout the diverging diamond, including the ramps. We’ll be back a few weeks after that for final lane striping. We’ll announce the details for that work once it’s finalized.

Though the diverging diamond will be open, it will not fully function as designed to allow traffic to flow until we complete widening SR 18 to two lanes in each direction south of I-90. The project will wrap up that work later this fall, and that’s when we expect you’ll see reduced congestion at this busy interchange. That’s when this diamond in the rough will be ready to shine.

Once complete later this summer, the new I-90/SR 18 diverging diamond interchange will improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and increase safety through one of the state’s busiest interchanges.

Preserving history: Saving a piece of the historic Puyallup River Bridge as demolition gets underway

By Kris Olsen

Say goodbye but plan for a “hello there!” to the historic, 100-year-old SR 167 Puyallup River Bridge. The bridge, sometimes called the Meridian Street Bridge, is going to be demolished beginning Wednesday, July 9. Well, most of it will be demolished, but we’re saving a piece for something special.

An important link
Built in 1925, the Puyallup River Bridge quickly became a vital link across the river, connecting the growing city of Puyallup to north Puyallup, Tacoma and beyond. It played a key role in the economic development of the area. The bridge helped people and goods move through the agricultural heart of Pierce County. Its construction went hand in hand with the region’s growth spurred by more cars and trucks and the popularity of the Washington State Fair, known then as the Puyallup Fair.

The Puyallup River Bridge

Innovative design
Designed by the Union Bridge Company in Seattle, the bridge featured an innovative variation. It used steel truss that allowed for a longer span without requiring heavier materials in its construction. In recognition of its unique design, the 371-foot-long bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Time takes its toll
But the bridge suffered many of the indignities of old age with failing parts. Time and weather had taken its toll on the steel, the concrete deck and the piers. It was no longer structurally sound or safe. We needed a new bridge over the river.

Two big moves
In July 2014, we reinforced the bridge and then moved it upstream by 60 feet. It continued to carry northbound traffic over the river during construction of a new bridge. When the new bridge opened in 2015, it was time for the old bridge to be removed from over the river.

Moving a 378-ton bridge is no small task. Over a weekend in August 2016, teams specializing in complex moves jacked the bridge up 21 feet. Then they carefully shifted it onto moving dollies and slowly pulled it north on SR 161 to a spot on our right of way near the SR 167 interchange.

The Puyallup River Bridge is slowly pulled up North Meridian Avenue in August 2016 to its final resting spot near SR 167

Then we offered it for sale. We also offered $1 million to anyone who met the qualifications to relocate, preserve and maintain the bridge. Still, we didn’t receive any qualified proposals.

With that, the efforts to save the bridge came to an end. Ever since, it’s been sitting in our right of way. We developed plans to one day demolish the bridge as part of our SR 167 Completion Project. That day has now arrived. To make room for the SR 167 expressway, the bridge is going to be cut apart and the steel recycled.

The Puyallup River Bridge rests in WSDOT right of way, just off North Meridian Avenue, where it will be demolished.   

Saving a piece of history

Not all of it will be destroyed though. The Puyallup City Council asked us to save and restore a small section of it. That section will be placed on the future spuyaləpabš Trail near the SR 167/North Meridian interchange as a historical heritage marker.

A portion of the historic Puyallup River Bridge will be preserved along the spuyaləpabš Trail near the SR 167/North Meridian interchange.

The bridge may be going, going, gone, but it’s never going to be forgotten.

Saddle Up: “Wild West Weekend” rides into Puget Sound with THREE big closures

July 10, 2025 - UPDATE: The work on southbound SR 167 in Kent has been postponed to a later date, and all references to that work have been removed from the blog. The other projects mentioned in this blog are still happening as originally scheduled.

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Saddle up, Puget Sound – there's a highway showdown brewin' on all fronts. Dust is flyin', detours are comin' and a few of our rowdiest roads are fixin' to be wrangled.

This ain't your average construction weekend. It's a Wild (Pacific North)West showdown, and the only thing missin' is a tumbleweed.

Across Washington, we've got 117 projects under construction this season. But from July 11-14, all eyes are on a cluster of troublemakers right here in the central Sound: full closures on southbound I-405 in Kirkland, northbound I-405 in Renton, and southbound I-5 at the Convention Center in Seattle.

And just one week later, the most infamous outlaw of 'em all – Revive I-5 – rides into Seattle, shuttin' down northbound I-5 at the Ship Canal Bridge for the weekend of July 18-21 and kickin' off four weeks of lane reductions.

So, grab your map, chart an alternative course or saddle up a new horse (like KC Metro or Sound Transit) and keep an eye out, because the road crews are takin' the reins this weekend.

It’s a Wild West Weekend in central Puget Sound with three major closures wanted for disrupting travel.

Wild West Weekend's Most Wanted

WANTED: Southbound I-405 in Kirkland

ALIAS:  Buffalo BRT

Wanted for:  Occupying space meant for a transit-first interchange rebuild

What's goin' down:  As part of the NE 85th Street Interchange and inline BRT Station Project, crews will pave southbound I-405 as part of overall work to transform to better connected transit.

Closure details:  Southbound I-405 in Kirkland will be closed from Northeast 124th Street to Northeast 70th Place from 11 p.m. Friday, July 11 to 4 a.m. Monday, July 14

Ramp closures include:

• Northeast 116th Street on-ramp to southbound I-405
• Northeast 85th Street on-ramp to southbound I-405
• Southbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 85th Street

View detour map

Project information:  I-405/Northeast 85th Street Interchange and Inline BRT Station Project | WSDOT

WANTED: Northbound I-405 in Renton

ALIAS:  The Express Toll Lane Bandit

Wanted for:  Occupying space needed for future express toll lanes

What's goin' down:  As part of the I-405 Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes project, crews are shifting lanes and rebuilding the roadway to prepare for a future with more capacity, better access and new toll lane connections. During this closure, crews are installing upgraded drainage systems, replacing overhead sign structures and swapping out pavement panels.

Closure details:  Northbound I-405 in Renton will be closed between SR 169 (exit 4) and Sunset Boulevard NE (exit 5) from 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 11 to 4 a.m. Monday, July 14

Ramp closures include:

• SR 169 on-ramp to northbound I-405
• Northbound I-405 off-ramp to Sunset Boulevard Northeast (Exit 5)
• The northbound SR 167 direct connector ramp to northbound I-405

View detour map

Project information:  I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project

WANTED: Southbound I-5 at the Convention Center

ALIAS:  The High Pressure Kid

Wanted for:  Givin' fire systems under the Convention Center a midnight wakeup call

What's goin' down:  WSDOT maintenance crews are ridin' in overnight to test the fire suppression system beneath Seattle's Convention Center. It's a quick mission to keep our tunnel infrastructure safe and ready.

Closure details:  Southbound I-5 in Seattle will be closed from the Stewart Street off-ramp to the Spring Street on-ramp from 11 p.m. Friday, July 11, to 6 a.m. Saturday, July 12.

Ramp closures include: 

• Eastbound Mercer Street on-ramp
• Yale Avenue/Howell Street on-ramp
• Union Street off-ramp
• James Street off-ramp

Detour:  The Express Lanes will run southbound during this closure.

ACCOMPLISES:

• Westbound I-90 off-ramp to SB Rainier Ave S: Closed 9 a.m. Friday, July 11, to 5 a.m. Monday, July 14, for SDOT pedestrian safety upgrades.
•  For more information www.seattle.gov
• Northbound I-5 off-ramp to NE 130th St: Closed starting 10 p.m. Friday, July 11, until late July for Sound Transit Lynnwood Link construction
• Eastbound NE 130th Street over I-5: Closed until Aug. 25
• For more information www.soundtransit.org

Highway Showdown Survival Guide

Even if it isn't your first rodeo, plan ahead for a full-scale, multi-corridor roundup across the region with closures and detours. Whether you're ridin' solo or hauling a whole wagon train, you'll want to be ready before you head out. Here's how to stay one step ahead:

• Scout the terrain: Check WSDOT's real-time traffic map, mobile app, or social media before you ride out. A smart traveler knows what's ahead.
• Pick your moment: Avoid the rush. Leave early, return late, and give yourself time for the long way 'round.
• Know your back-up route: Review signed detours and alternate trails before you saddle up.
• Follow the front line: Flaggers, signage, and law enforcement are out there helping keep order and guiding the herd. Tip your hat and follow their lead.
• Switch saddles if needed: Transit, carpools, and HOV lanes might be the quicker horse for this ride.

Til We Ride Again, Pardner

Closures come and go, but the job's bigger than one weekend. Next week, we ride again. Northbound I-5 at the Ship Canal Bridge will fully close from July 18-21 and then reopen with four weeks of lane reductions while we work to preserve this valuable corridor. We're laying the groundwork for stronger roads and smoother rides downline.

Out here on the asphalt frontier, it's not the fastest rider who gets through, it's the one who knows the trail, reads the signs and plans their route.

Turn and face the change: Big changes coming to the South 188th Street/SR 509 interchange in south King County

We may have rounded the corner to summer and can finally (hopefully?) put away our raincoats and puffy jackets until fall. But there are bigger changes than the seasons coming to the South 188th Street/State Route 509 interchange as part of the SR 509 Completion Project in south King County.

Upcoming changes to SR 509 Interchange

Scheduled to begin Monday, July 7, crews will change the SR 509 ramps to and from eastbound South 188th Street/Des Moines Memorial Drive South and install a new traffic signal. Drivers will use the new traffic signal to:

• Enter northbound SR 509 from both directions of South 188th Street/Des Moines Memorial Drive South.
• Exit southbound SR 509 to eastbound South 188th Street/Des Moines Memorial Drive South.

People driving from southbound SR 509 to westbound South 188th Street/Des Moines Memorial Drive South will continue to use the existing off-ramp. This change will be in place for the next two years.

Starting July 7, crews will change the SR 509 ramps to and from eastbound South 188th Street/Des Moines Memorial Drive South. 

Changes necessary for safety and efficiency

These changes to the SR 509 and South 188th Street/Des Moines Memorial Drive interchange are a key step toward building the new SR 509 Expressway between South 188th Street and 24th Avenue South. This work is important to make the construction area safer and more efficient for our crews. Once this section of the expressway is complete, we’ll begin major upgrades to the interchange, including new roundabouts and a multi-use path that will link directly to King County’s Lake to Sound Trail.

If you live near, work near, or travel through this area, expect noise and dust typically associated with road construction. Trying to reach local businesses? Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you can still get there.

Short-term inconvenience for long-term benefits

We know traffic changes are a hassle, but we promise the short-term inconvenience will pay off in big ways down the road (pun intended). Once complete, the improvements to the South 188th Street interchange and the new SR 509 Expressway will reduce congestion, streamline traffic flow, and boost safety in the area, making it easier for everyone to get around.

This is all part of the larger SR 509 Completion Project, which:

• builds a new four-lane expressway between Interstate 5 and SR 509's current end near Sea-Tac Airport
• builds new I-5 ramps
• improves I-5 interchanges in south King County
• constructs new bridges

When the entire SR 509 Completion Project is done, it will create an important north-south alternative to the congested I-5 corridor between Seattle and south King County. The future is bright!

New interchange improves access

When all is said and done, the new SR 509/South 188th Street interchange will let people travel in all directions, improving access for everyone—whether you’re heading north, south, east or west. The design will include roundabouts, which are safer and more efficient than traditional intersections. Plus, for those heading south on SR 509, the South 188th Street interchange will be the last exit before the expressway’s tolled section.

When the SR 509/South 188th interchange work is completed, people will be able to travel in all directions with improved access whether you drive, walk, ride or roll through the area.

Why roundabouts?

Because they work—and they work well. Our interchanges are designed to be safer for all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Roundabouts help slow down traffic, provide safer crosswalks, and reduce the chances of dangerous collisions. They also keep traffic moving smoothly and efficiently, even as volumes increase.

For this project, we ran traffic studies and simulations to determine the safest and most effective design. The roundabouts came out on top, outshining other options, especially when we factored in large vehicles like trucks and buses, as well as non-motorized users.

Roundabouts are already working wonders at over 100 locations across Washington State. We’ll continue share information roundabout safety, so everyone feels confident navigating them once construction is complete.

Have questions or want more information?

We know that change brings questions, and we’re here for them! Send us an email at sr509construction@wsdot.wa.gov or give our 24/7 construction hotline a call at 206-225-0674.

Want to stay updated? Sign up for our project listserv to get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox.

Thanks for your patience as we work to make this important project a reality. We’re excited for the positive changes that lie ahead!

Streaming soon under US 101: Season 3 of major fish passage construction on the Olympic Peninsula

By Angela Cochran

It may not be the show you’ve been waiting for the past several years (looking at you, Stranger Things!), but it’s sure to be the talk of the town for summer travelers on the Olympic Peninsula.

With eight new episodes – uh, we mean work zones – it’s lights, camera, action – ok, well it’s just lights. Red, yellow and green ones. Traffic lights, to be specific. But don’t worry! They are all temporary.

You’ll see a lot of these guys if you’re traveling US 101 along the coast this summer.

If your summer plans include taking the “loop” (US 101 on the Olympic Peninsula), you’ll want to include some extra travel time. But we’ll keep you moving through the work zones.

This is the third season of our “Coastal 29” project. The work removes barriers to fish at 29 locations under US 101 and State Route 109.

All of the fish passage locations that are part of the Coastal 29 project.

We reached the halfway point for the project last fall after completing work at five locations under SR 109 near Ocean Shores and four locations under US 101 south of Forks. This summer, we’re getting US 101 ready for its closeup.

Bonus episode

In addition to the fish passage sites, we have a ninth location where US 101 is reduced to one lane of alternating traffic. This is due to erosion along the highway near Kalaloch. In the next several weeks, our contractor will work to repair the hillside and reopen both lanes.

Plot summary

The temporary changes will remain in place at the eight fish passage work zones through the end of the year. The changes include a temporary bypass road. Most of the locations already have traffic on bypass roads. These locations all have one-way alternating traffic around the clock. The bypass roads will open at the remaining locations within the next couple of weeks.

Aerial image of a bypass road with a temporary bridge. 

Once traffic is shifted onto the bypass road at each location, crews will start digging up the highway and relocating aquatic life in the stream. Before stream work begins, we temporarily divert the stream. This happens during a time when fish are less active in the stream. We call this the “fish window”. This window varies by location. For these streams, it starts in July.

Up next

After the Independence Day holiday, we will block off the project area with fencing and move fish and other species up or down stream of the project. We also document the number and types of species found in the stream during this time. A pipe is then used to divert the stream around the project area, which gives crews the room they need to rebuild the stream bed. Once that work is complete, tree trunks and native plants are added for shelter and nutrients. In addition to the stream work, we build the new structure.

Fish passage work includes relocating aquatic life before working in the stream.

Main character arc

One of the projects just hit a big milestone. We placed girders, or large support beams, on the new bridge over May Creek. This project is located at the Jefferson/Clallam county line south of Forks. Girders act as the backbone of a bridge. They are placed on top of the piers and support the driving surface. The new May Creek bridge has five girders that are each 175 feet long – the size of the Seattle Ferris Wheel!

Now that the girders are in place, we are working on the bridge deck. The contractor expects to finish most of the bridge work and open it by the end of this year. If this happens, they will pause work for winter and perform stream work when the fish window opens in summer 2026. We expect to complete the whole project in fall 2026.

Next season on Coastal 29

All bingeworthy series come to an end. By the end of this year, we will have removed barriers to fish at 22 locations under US 101 and SR 109. It’s been blockbuster work since 2023.

That means our construction series finale will be a little shorter. We’ll only have seven culverts left to replace along the coast in 2026 and 2027. Crews will finish work at the two sites under US 101 near Forks next summer. We will also replace culverts under SR 109 at five locations to complete this massive endeavor.

As always, you can tune in for live traffic information on our app and statewide travel map.

It’s rewarding work removing barriers to fish. You could call it a rerun (but, you know, with fish).