Close call: Work zone crashes a growing danger for road crews

By Scott Klepach

Kevin Nicholson was getting ready to settle in for the night when his work phone suddenly rang. He knew something was off to get a call in the middle of the night.

It was Oct. 15, 2023, and the night shift had already started. At the time, Nicholson was a highway maintenance supervisor for our Cle Elum area team on I-90. The call was from his crew telling him there was a collision in Cle Elum involving a semi-truck carrying cold storage food. The semi had struck the guardrail and rode down the barrier along a bridge. Finally, its trailer jackknifed.

Nicholson quickly arrived on the scene. Crews closed off the right lane of westbound I-90 and waited for the tow truck to arrive. WSDOT maintenance crews also help with debris clean-up and traffic control during and after crashes.

WSDOT maintenance crews keep I-90 near Cle Elum closed longer after a semi-truck struck a Road Warrior that had been set up to protect crews clearing debris from an earlier crash.

Nicholson and his crew started clearing the road of debris so the front-end loader could get there quickly. But that’s when another semi-truck crashed into our rig in a closed work zone.

A second collision

The truck ran into our Road Warrior vehicle. These vehicles are placed in advance of the closed work zone. They have warning lights and flashers to alert travelers of a crash ahead. These vehicles help deter the public from entering the work zone and help protect the crew members if someone does drive into the work zone.

Nicholson remembers vividly hearing the secondary semi-truck crash. In addition to the Road Warrior truck, a WSP trooper vehicle was also struck. Two troopers were sent to the hospital with minor injuries. Our Road Warrior fuel tank was ruptured by the impact. That second incident resulted in an extended closure of the highway, with one lane being closed for several more hours. We often hear from travelers frustrated by being stuck in a backup. Especially when injuries occur. The Washington State Patrol needs to meticulously investigate the cause of the crash and allow first responders to provide medical assistance to victims. Then we work to reopen the roadway as quickly and safely as possible.

A WSDOT Road Warrior was positioned as a protective barrier for maintenance crews clearing debris from an earlier crash when a semi-truck drove through the work zone, causing a second collision on I-90 near Cle Elum in October 2023. The crash damaged the Road Warrior and ruptured the fuel tank.

“Unfortunately, we see this kind of thing a lot as we set up a work zone,” Kevin said, adding that driving behaviors have worsened over the last several years. “We see people driving upwards of 80 miles per hour or greater on our highways, barreling into work zones, distracted or under the influence. That puts everyone at risk.” WSP reports speeding and erratic driving have increased.

We work closely with WSP, who is the enforcement agency for state highways on coordinated public emphasis and safety campaigns. This can mean additional patrols for things like DUI and chain-up requirements during winter. This helps keep everyone safe and able to get to where they need to go.

Increase in speeding and erratic driving puts everyone at risk

Nicholson says his crew notices that people drive better if they see red and blue flashing lights. WSP has begun pulling vehicles over more often for speeding and driving distracted (like cell phone use).

In 2024, there were 246 citations issued for distracted or inattentive driving in state road work zone crashes. In 2024, the total number of work zone-related crashes increased from 1,377 crashes in 2023 to 1,607 crashes. That’s an increase of 17%. The most significant rise was in serious injury crashes. These crashes increased by 36% from 2023 to 2024. Our crews say they regularly see drivers looking at their phones. Drivers are sometimes texting or even watching shows as they blow past signs about slowing down or stopping – which puts everyone on the road at risk.

Work zone crashes aren’t just dangerous for our workers. They’re also dangerous for travelers. Statistically, in Washington travelers are more at risk in work zones than the workers. In 2024, 96 percent of Washington roadway work zone fatalities and injuries were to drivers or their passengers. Also, traffic fines are doubled in work zones, so speeding drivers could also face hefty fines.

Changes to work zones for increased safety measures

We are working in-house and with construction, union, contractor, and legislative partners to improve safety in work zones for everyone. We are taking new and additional steps in designing some of our work zones. We’re also looking into new safety equipment and approaches. We will continue to schedule more projects during daylight hours. We now combine projects, when possible, to reduce the number of times our crews are exposed to traffic. You’ll also see more closed lanes and longer work zones to create more of a buffer between workers and active traffic. These actions can increase congestion on major routes, and we know they are not popular with travelers. However, we must prioritize worker and traveler safety and balance these needs cohesively.

Why does this matter? According to Jason Pratt, a maintenance operations superintendent, driver behavior needs to change.

“We give travelers multiple warnings of an upcoming work zone or crash site,” says Pratt. “More often than not, they don’t pay attention and that is really unfortunate because it puts everyone at risk.” For this incident, he said the night crew had already installed a large message board sign 14 miles prior to the incident that warned travelers. There were also several pre-warning signs closer to the scene where the right lane was blocked.

A semi-truck is damaged after running into a WSDOT Road Warrior causing a second crash scene.

Far too many of our workers have had close calls, serious injuries and even deaths in our work zones. It’s hard to find a crew that hasn’t had an injury or numerous close calls. Most road workers can recount incidents where they had to take action to avoid tragedy due to drivers entering work zones. We have had 61 workers killed on the job - many in marked work zones. We hope we never have to add another name to this list.

Safety is paramount

Our crews have regular safety discussions before and after their work using what is called Take 2 for work activities like patching potholes or bridge cleanings. It’s designed to let crews speak up, ask questions and promote safety not just for themselves, but everyone involved on the job and travelers who may enter the area.

“We have a strong team environment,” Nicholson says. “Our crews notice what doesn’t seem right and are equipped to ask questions. We want everyone to go home to their loved ones at the end of their shift.”

We ask all drivers in work zones to:

• Slow Down – drive the posted speeds, they’re there for your safety
• Be Kind – our workers are helping to keep you safe and improve the roadways
• Pay Attention – both to workers directing you and surrounding traffic
• Stay Calm – expect delays, leave early or take an alternate route if possible; no meeting or appointment is worth risking someone’s life

Nicholson noted the crashes that day could have been much worse. Thankfully no one died, but our crews and partners are always on the alert for what is coming down the road. Do them a favor by slowing down in work zones, putting the phone down and never driving under the influence.

New I-405 bridges over Northeast 85th Street

Travelers will soon be driving across the new northbound and southbound I-405 bridges spanning Northeast 85th Street in Kirkland. Crews are completing construction of the new bridges this spring, as part of the I-405/Northeast 85th Street and Inline BRT Station Project.

Upcoming lane reductions on southbound and northbound I-405 in April

Southbound I-405 Lane Reduction to 2 lanes

• April 11, 10:30 p.m. - April 14, 6:30 a.m.
• Kirkland, from NE 124th to NE 85th St.
• Express Toll Lanes will be open to all traffic

During the southbound lane reduction, crews will be preparing the roadway for the traffic switch to the new bridge. The general purpose lanes of southbound I-405 will shift to the new bridge during an overnight lane reduction later in April. The southbound ETLs will shift shortly after as part of ongoing nightwork.

Northbound I-405 Lane Reduction to two lanes

• Late April (exact dates to be announced)
• SR 520 to NE 85th St.
• Express Toll Lanes will be open to all traffic

The process will be the same as the southbound switch. Northbound I-405 drivers using the general purpose lanes will start driving on the new northbound bridge. The Express Toll Lanes will shift to the new bridge during the week as part of ongoing nightwork.

Map of southbound and northbound traffic shifts to the new I-405 bridges.

Expect increased congestion and plan for additional travel time during the closure. Use alternate routes and travel during off-peak hours to the extent possible.

Details and updates about the lane reductions will be posted on the project webpage. The schedule may change because construction can be unpredictable.

Making room: Weekend closure of Northeast 85th Street in May

• Between Kirkland Way/114th Ave NE and 120th Ave NE
• For demolition of old I-405 bridges and construction of new interchange
• Expect noise, dust, and vibration near the area.
• Details to be shared before closure.

During this closure, crews will demolish the old I-405 bridges to make room for the lower and middle levels of the three-level interchange. After demolition, crews will excavate Northeast 85th Street to make room for a new oblong-shaped roundabout on Level 1 and the multimodal hub on Level 2. Level 2 will provide access for transit riders, carpoolers, express toll lane users, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Example of an oblong-shaped roundabout near Columbus, Ohio.

The new three-level interchange on I-405 in Kirkland.

Mark your calendar for the next quarterly project update webinar, May 27

The meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming construction work, ask questions, and find out how to stay informed. The project team will hold this meeting via Zoom from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27. Registration will be posted to the project webpage in early May.

If you have any questions and/or you would like to sign up for project updates, please email I405SR167Program@wsdot.wa.gov. Stay informed by subscribing to WSDOT updates for King County.

The One Where You Think it’s an April Fools’ Joke about Revive I-5 (but it isn’t)

By: RB McKeon

We get it – after many changes on the I-5 Yesler to Northgate project, when we say we've got some work to do this summer you might think this is a well-timed April Fools' joke – but it isn't. As negotiations with our contractor continue, we have identified approximately four weeks of critical construction activities in 2025 as the best way to complete the project by the end of the 2027 construction season.

Last time we talked about this project, we shared that the long-term linear lane closures originally planned for 2025 were pushed to 2026 to align construction spending with available funding. That's still true. While we pivoted away from long-term lane closures in 2025, a shortened season of work this summer will allow crews to understand the condition of the bridge below the surface and get back some of the time we lose next season when most work across the region is paused during the FIFA World Cup.

What's happening in 2025

We have four weeks of lane closures on northbound I-5 at the Ship Canal Bridge and two weekend closures of northbound I-5 between I-90 and Northeast 45th Street happening between Friday, July 25 and Monday, Aug. 25.

During this summer's closures, contractor crews from Atkinson Construction will:

• Repair and resurface up to 20% of the northbound Ship Canal Bridge deck.
• Partially repair five expansion joints.
• Replace bridge drain inlets.

Full closures and lane reductions

To complete this critical preservation work, construction crews will:

• Close all lanes of northbound I-5 from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street from Friday night, July 25 to early Monday morning, July 28. During the closure, crews will set up work zone barriers, restripe lanes and replace bridge drain inlets.
• When northbound I-5 reopens on July 28, it will be reduced to two lanes for approximately four weeks, with the speed limit reduced to 50 mph.
• Close all lanes of northbound I-5 for a second weekend from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street from Friday night, Aug. 22, to early Monday morning, Aug. 25, when all lanes reopen. During the closure, crews will remove the work zone, restripe lanes and replace bridge drain inlets.

There's never a good time to do this work

Recognizing the difficulty of closing lanes on I-5 during Seattle's busy summer, WSDOT scheduled this work to avoid major holiday weekends and peak events, such as Fourth of July, Labor Day and Ichiro Suzuki's Hall of Fame celebration at T-Mobile Park.

And, to help mitigate the effect on traffic:

• The I-5 express lanes will remain open in the northbound direction around-the-clock during the lane reductions.
• Drivers can use I-90 exits, the collector-distributor lanes or alternate routes to navigate closures.

Why now?

The I-5 Ship Canal Bridge carries nearly 200,000 vehicles a day, and its deck has reached a point where delays in repairs will only lead to more frequent and severe rehabilitation needs. The summer 2025 work allows WSDOT to:

• Prevent more emergency repairs that cause unexpected traffic disruptions.
• Stay on track for the 2026-27 bridge rehabilitation project, avoiding conflicts with the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
• Gather critical data on the bridge's condition below the surface to better prepare for future work in 2026 and 2027.
• Evaluate the effect on traffic of a northbound closure, especially with express lanes running northbound around-the-clock during this period.

This isn't an April Fools' joke, and we promise, it's for a good reason. There's never a perfect time to close lanes on I-5, but these four weeks of work help keep us on track for the bigger preservation project ahead.

We'll keep working with our partners, sharing updates, and making sure you know before you go.

25 years later, Belle Williams still grieves the loss of her husband killed in a work zone collision on US 12

By: Tina Werner

They say it gets easier with time. It hasn’t for Belle Williams. She has grieved the loss of her husband every day for 25 years.

Sam Williams was a highway maintenance worker based out of Morton in southwest Washington. On Feb. 22, 2000, Sam kissed Belle and their four children goodbye before leaving for his shift. It was the twins' birthday, and their party would be later that night. Sam was flagging in a marked work zone along US 12 near Mossyrock – simply doing his job – when he was hit by a speeding and distracted driver. Sam never made it home. He later died in the hospital. Belle stayed by his side, even after he passed. He was 41 years old.

Belle Williams (center) is surrounded by her four children with a photo of Sam Williams. Sam was killed in 2000 when a distracted driver entered his work zone on US 12 near Mossyrock. Law enforcement cited the causing driver for excessive speed.

“He is not with us physically anymore, but he is always with us,” Belle said.

Sam’s passing left a profound impact on those around him. Those closest to him described him as a devoted father, husband and community member. His absence has meant missing out on pivotal family moments—father-daughter dances, lawnmower races with his son and graduations.

Sam was a valued member of the Morton maintenance shed, loved his community and served as a volunteer firefighter. Belle described his death as tragic and something she hopes no other family ever has to endure.

In addition to being a dedicated highway maintenance worker with us, Sam Williams was also a volunteer firefighter in his community. He is seen here coming out of a smoke-filled home in Morton, receiving a fresh oxygen tank.

On the day of the work zone crash, Belle remembers having a bad feeling when Sam kissed them goodbye.

“He hugged us and even sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the twins,” said Belle. “He was a great dad, and we had no reason to believe he wouldn’t be home that night to celebrate our girls’ birthday.”

While mourning the loss of her spouse, Belle faced yet another challenge—a cancer diagnosis. But she fought and beat it, embodying resilience. Her children were her motivation to stay strong.

Sam and Belle had four children together. Thanks to WSDOT’s Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization supported largely by employee contributions, the Williams children received college scholarships. The foundation has provided financial support to 292 families, totaling $547,000, helping with medical expenses, assistance for families of fallen workers and support for injured employees.

Belle said she and the children are grateful for the scholarships they received.

“Going to college was one of Sam’s many goals for his children. The WSDOT Memorial Foundation helped make that possible,” said Belle. Their son, Sam Jr. works for us in Morton doing highway maintenance work. The Morton facility is the same facility his dad, “Big Sam”, worked out of.

Belle (left) with her daughter Kelsey (right) pose for a photo in March 2025 at the Columbia Tower in Seattle for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Firefighter Stair Climb.

Belle is now retired from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, but the grief still lingers.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Sam’s death. Work zone employees are spouses, parents, children, siblings and friends—they all deserve to go home safely at the end of their shift.

Unfortunately, many workers have faced close calls, serious injuries or death due to drivers' actions in work zones. Crews work mere inches from speeding traffic and workers often recount incidents where quick action prevented tragedy.

We’re seeing more speeding and erratic behavior in work zones– which puts everyone at risk.

• In 2024, the total number of work zone-related crashes increased by 17 percent, rising from 1,377 crashes in 2023 to 1,607 crashes.
• The largest increase was in serious injury crashes, which rose by 36 percent from 2023 to 2024.
• It’s not just road crews at risk in work zones: Nearly 96 percent of people injured in work zone crashes are drivers, their passengers or nearby pedestrians. It is in everyone’s interest to pay attention and drive safely in work zones.

Most work zone crashes are preventable. According to the Washington State Patrol, the top three reasons for work zone collisions in 2024 were:

1. Following too closely
2. Excessive speed
3. Inattention/distracted driving

While even one loss is too many, we now have better tools to keep our workers and the traveling public safe in work zones. We collaborate with construction teams, unions, fellow state agencies and legislative partners to enhance work zone safety for everyone. We adopt proactive approaches to work zone design. As new technology is developed, we explore new safety equipment and tactics to minimize worker exposure to traffic.

Additionally, the phased rollout of the Work Zone Speed Camera Program in active construction, maintenance and crash zones will begin this year. This program, built in partnership with the Washington State Patrol and other safety-focused agencies, aims to prevent tragedies. It starts with one camera and will expand to six by this summer.

Belle holds a framed photo of her husband Sam Williams. This year is the 25th anniversary of his death. Belle hopes to raise awareness about the importance of work zone safety.

The goal of the program is simple: save lives. And Belle is hopeful it will do just that.

“If it saves one life, it will be worth it,” says Belle.