Listening to what the numbers tell us – SR 9/SR 204 roundabout to be rechannelized

 We listen carefully to what our highways tell us.

Though the roads obviously can’t talk, we hear what they’re saying through reports from drivers and community partners who use the roads on a daily basis. We watch with a careful eye, noting how traffic behaves. And, perhaps most importantly, we dig into data to find out if changes we’ve made have the desired effect.

When the numbers show we can still make improvements, our traffic engineers dig in to figure out how. We don’t have an “our way or the highway” mentality – at WSDOT, our way IS ensuring the highway is operating safely and efficiently.

A great example of this will happen Saturday night, Aug. 22, in Lake Stevens.

In 2023, we opened two multi-lane roundabouts on SR 9 in Lake Stevens to help reduce serious injury and fatal crashes and improve traffic flow through the corridor.

In summer 2023, we built two multi-lane roundabouts along State Route 9 in the heart of the busy Frontier Village retail area. These roundabouts were part of a seven-year, $69 million effort working with the community to reduce the potential for serious injury and fatal crashes in the area, limit SR 9 congestion, provide better access to area businesses and improve travel through the area for people walking, biking, taking transit and driving.

Along with the SR 9 roundabouts at SR 204 and Vernon Road, the project added smaller roundabouts at Vernon Road’s intersections with North Davies Road and 91st Avenue Northeast, plus new sidewalks and bike paths.

Then we watched, listened and analyzed to see if the new roundabouts were working as intended.

Digging into the numbers

We’ve fielded concerns from people using the new roundabouts and remained in contact with Lake Stevens officials since the roundabout opened. But it usually takes about three years of post-construction data to see how well a new intersection is working.

Now that we nearly have three full years of data, we have a better picture of how they’ve been performing. Overall, the data showed that collision numbers have decreased since the roundabouts opened. After averaging 16.3 crashes per month the first year after major construction finished (July 2023 through June 2024), that number was down to about 12 collisions per month during the most recent full year since the roundabout opened (July 2025 through June 2026, though that number could change slightly as the most recent collision data is finalized).

While this trend is promising, our engineers developed ideas for further improvement at the roundabout by targeting the locations where crashes are occurring the most.

Chart shows location of crashes entering the SR 9/SR 204 roundabout from the east and the west from July 2023 through June 2026. Safety Disclaimer and Subject Figure: Under 23 U.S. Code § 148 and 23 U.S. Code § 407, safety data, reports, surveys, schedules, lists compiled or collected for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, or planning the safety enhancement of potential crash sites, hazardous roadway conditions, or railway-highway crossings are not subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court proceeding or considered for other purposes in any action for damages arising from any occurrence at a location mentioned or addressed in such reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data.

Finding areas for improvement

Looking closer at the numbers, our engineers found that about 86% of the crashes since July 2023 related to the two new roundabouts on SR 9 (419 of 490 crashes) happened at the SR 9/SR 204 intersection.

Drilling even deeper into the crash data at the SR 9/SR 204 roundabout, we found more than 50% of all the reported crashes happened on the SR 204 approach on the west side of the intersection and the Seventh Place Northeast approach to the east.

It is in those two areas where we will focus on making improvements.

WSDOT plans to make four lane striping modifications to the SR 9/SR 204 roundabout in Lake Stevens to help create simpler decisions for drivers.

The solution: Making it simpler

After identifying these collision trends, our traffic engineers set out to find solutions. Turns out, we think the easiest way to reduce crashes is to … well, make things easier.

We plan to make four striping modifications to the SR 9/SR 204 roundabout that we believe will create simpler decisions for drivers and, therefore, reduce chances for crashes. We plan to use lane markings to rechannelize parts of the roundabout by:

1. Removing one of the circulating lanes between the westbound Seventh Place Northeast and eastbound SR 204 approaches.
2. Removing one southbound SR 9 lane entering and exiting the roundabout.
3. Removing one westbound Seventh Place Northeast lane approaching the roundabout.
4. Making minor modifications to the striping on eastbound SR 204 lanes approaching the roundabout.

Not only will these changes create easier decisions for drivers, they also will reduce the number of potential conflict points between vehicles entering and circulating in the roundabout. It also right-sizes the intersection’s number of lanes to current traffic volumes, and it will calm eastbound, westbound and southbound traffic as it approaches the intersection.

Taking away a southbound lane on SR 9 could create more delays than drivers currently see. But we expect these changes will continue to reduce the number of collisions that occur at this busy intersection.

WSDOT will rechannel the SR 9/SR 204 roundabout in Lake Stevens Saturday night, Aug. 22, to reduce the number of places cars could come into conflict with each other and make decisions easier for drivers.

So, what’s next?

Unfortunately, the current pavement markings were not made in pencil, so making the adjustments will take a nighttime closure of the roundabout on Saturday night, Aug. 22. From 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, we will fully close the intersection so that we can remove the old pavement markings, install the new ones and make the SR 9/SR 204 roundabout easier to use. This work requires dry weather and may be rescheduled if rain is forecast.

During this closure, access will remain open to local businesses, but through traffic should detour using Market Place and Lundeen Parkway.

After the new pavement markings are installed, our traffic engineers will continue to monitor the intersection, making sure the changes we’ve made have the desired effect.

As our rechannelization efforts in Lake Stevens show, that’s not an empty promise – we listen to what our highways and the people who use them tell us.

Judkins Park Station Study: How Recent Crossing Improvements Have Lowered Speeds

The Judkins Park community in Seattle continues to grow. With the new Judkins Park Station now open, more people are walking, biking and taking transit. As the neighborhood grows, transportation improvements are leveling-up safety. We’re making it easier to travel on Rainier Avenue South at the Interstate 90 interchange.

The I‑90 ramps to Rainier Avenue South create busy intersections. That makes it challenging to walk, bike, roll or access transit. Cars move through these intersections quickly. Community members have shared concerns about vehicle speeds when crossing the ramps.

Data from the Judkins Park ramps shows that small changes can help reduce speeds. These changes improve safety for everyone traveling through the area. Here, you can see a raised crosswalk and crossing beacon installed by the Seattle Department of Transportation this year.

Our study focused on the safety, bicycle and pedestrian facilities at the ramp and Ranier Avenue South intersection, and access to transit. Our study identifies the recommends teeing-up the ramp intersections and eliminating one ramp. The ramp recommended to be removed is westbound I-90 to northbound Rainier Avenue South. These improvements are in the early stages of concept design. The next step in the process is a separate study to evaluate impacts to I-90. This study is subject to FHWA approval. Recently, we partnered with the Seattle DOT on an improvement project at this location. The project constructed the following quick-implementation improvements to three of the ramps:

• a raised crosswalk at the northbound Rainier to eastbound I-90 on-ramp. There was already a rectangular rapid flashing beacon here.
• a raised crosswalk and flashing beacon at the southbound Rainier to eastbound I-90 on-ramp
• a raised crosswalk and flashing beacon at the westbound I-90 to southbound Rainier off-ramp.

These improvements help slow the speed of vehicles traveling through the ramp intersections. We completed these improvements in March 2026. We also completed a before-and-after speed study to understand the effect of the improvements. We collected speed data for one-week periods before and after the changes. We used cameras installed at the crosswalks for this.

What the data shows

The study shows a small reduction in average speeds after the raised crosswalks and flashing beacons were installed. Even better, the results show a dramatic drop in the highest speeds recorded at each ramp.

Highlights include:

• Average speeds for vehicles at all three crosswalks are below 26mph. For reference, the speed limit on Rainier Avenue South is 25 mph.
• 85% of all vehicles traveled slower than 28 mph.
• The top speed at the crosswalk for the westbound I-90 off-ramp to southbound Rainier Avenue South dropped 45%, from 71 mph to 39 mph.
• The top speed at the crosswalk for the northbound Rainier Avenue South on-ramp to eastbound I-90 dropped 32%, from 68 mph to 46 mph.

The top speeds are the most challenging for people who bike, walk, roll or drive in the neighborhood. These changes in top speeds increase safety for all modes of travel.

Raised crosswalks have lowered vehicle speeds near the on- and off-ramps. Average speeds for vehicles at all three crosswalks are below 26 mph.

Why speed matters

Speed plays a key role in whether a crash results in serious injury or death. According to national safety research, you are more likely to survive a collision if vehicles are moving slower.

Small reductions in speed can have a big impact. By lowering both average speeds and the highest measured speeds, projects like this can enhance safety for everyone. Improvements like raised crosswalks make it safer for people walking, biking or rolling through the area.

Why these results matter

The joint SDOT/WSDOT project marks the first time that we have installed raised crosswalks on one of our roadways.

The results of the before-and-after study are consistent with what other agencies are seeing. Examples include a recent Hawaii DOT project and the Seattle DOT Speed humps. These combined results suggest that raised crosswalks can help calm and slow traffic. We’re helping communities take safety to the next level, even in areas like freeway ramps. These results will help us decide where to add raised crosswalks in the future.

Looking ahead

We are continuing to work on improving how people move through the area. With the Judkins Park light rail station now open, we are creating a multimodal transportation system. This means systems that work for everyone, whether they are walking, biking, taking transit or driving.

While there is more work ahead, these early improvements are a step forward. They show how targeted upgrades can make a big difference. Together, community input, data and smart design choices are helping unlock a safer, more connected Judkins Park area. These insights will continue to guide our decisions. We are working toward long-term improvements to safety, access and connectivity in the area.

We will continue to work with our partners to refine our recommended alternative. Read our fifth blog post about this project to learn more about the process. We’ll continue community engagement in the fall.

Study webpage: I-90 Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities

Email updates: Sign up for Seattle area news and study updates.

Mobile App to replace I-90 text alerts to allow more efficient, user-friendly updates and information

Change may be as difficult as it is inevitable, but change can also be a good thing. In the fast-paced world of transportation, we know it’s important to keep you up to date in the most efficient, user-friendly way possible. Whether it’s weather changes, construction, or other travel information, we want to keep you informed.

That’s why a big shift is coming. On Aug. 31, 2026, the way we communicate I-90 travel alerts will transition to the WSDOT Mobile App.

But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. We’re excited to announce the new communication method available at your fingertips. You can still get important I-90 travel notifications by downloading the WSDOT Mobile App. After installing, turn on push notifications for Snoqualmie Pass I-90.

Here's how to make the switch from text messages to notifications in the app for iPhone and Android.

For iPhone users:

• Download the WSDOT Mobile App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
• Open the app and select the notification bell (in the top-left corner of the screen on iPhone).
• Here you will find the notification menu. From here, you can toggle notifications on and off.
• Select Snoqualmie Pass I-90.
• Turn on push notifications.

For Android users:

• Download the WSDOT Mobile App from Google Play.
• Open the app and select Notifications (on the left-hand menu selection).
• Here you will find the notification menu. From here, you can select notification alerts.
• Select Snoqualmie Pass I-90.

The Snoqualmie Pass I-90 notification still covers I-90 from North Bend to Vantage. That’s milepost 33 to 138, just like the text message service.

If incidents or activities will add 30 minutes or more to travel times or result in a closure, we’ll send you a notification. You’ll also receive advance notice of planned closures. That includes construction closures and winter avalanche-control work.

If you don’t want to turn on push notifications, you can still find Snoqualmie Pass I-90 alerts in the Mountain Pass section of the WSDOT Mobile App. This section shows current winter pass conditions and information about events that may cause delays along I-90.

Example of a Snoqualmie Pass I-90 notification and the maintenance and construction alerts available in the WSDOT iOS app

Example of a Snoqualmie Pass I-90 notification and the maintenance and construction alerts available in the WSDOT Android app

You can do even more with the WSDOT Mobile App. It's a one-stop shop for travel information. It includes real-time travel alerts, mountain pass conditions, traffic cameras and roadway conditions.

We encourage you to set up Snoqualmie Pass I-90 push notifications by Aug. 31. That’s when the current I-90 text messages alert service ends.

Whether you’re commuting over Snoqualmie Pass, visiting family or traveling across the state, the WSDOT Mobile App makes it easy to get the travel information you need when you need it.

Park (or ride) the bus: Visitors enjoy transit options during summer soccer extravaganza

“Parking the bus” is a strategy often used by soccer teams as they try to close out a victory in the later stages of a match. Meanwhile, riding the bus (or ferry, train or light rail) is a proven strategy for safe and affordable access to transportation and mobility.

The Seattle Stadium has now hosted its final match of the world’s most famous sporting event. There’s little doubt that Seattle lived up to its reputation as one of the greatest soccer cities in the nation. But the Emerald City also proved itself one of the nation’s best cities for public transportation.

We saw many thousands of visitors converged in western Washington for much of the past month. Many of those people chose from a wide array of public transportation options for getting around. Whether to the stadium or to local attractions, visitors had their choice of ferries, trains or buses.

Most public transportation agencies in the area added to their existing services to help with the large numbers of visitors. Now that the games are over, we’re working with our public transportation partners to check rider numbers, trends and patterns.

Here’s a look at some of the numbers:

• WSDOT’s Amtrak Cascades trains: between June 13 and July 7, Amtrak Cascades carried more than 85,000 passengers. That’s a 19% increase over the same period in 2025. The greatest increase was on routes between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. – two of the host cities. Those routes saw a 38% increase in riders from the previous year. Most of the daily roundtrip trains were sold out, particularly on game days.
• Sound Transit: Link light rail had a whopping 5.4 million boardings in June and shattered daily records on game days. Link even broke the Seahawks’ Super Bowl parade record of 220,000 riders – but they did so on every single match day. And with 309,000 board ings Monday, July 6, Link eclipsed all its daily records for highest ridership in Sound Transit’s history!
• Across six match days, the region tallied an estimated 3.4 million boardings on transit services in King County. The final match saw some of the biggest numbers of the tournament, with 620,000 boardings. Overall, Metro estimated 1.9 million boardings on its buses, boats, shuttles and streetcars. Sound Transit accounted for the balance with an estimated 1.5 million boardings on Link light rail and its 1 and 2 bus lines.
• Travel Washington Intercity Bus: Our Travel Washington Dungeness Line saw a 10% increase in ridership from June to May. This line runs between Port Angeles and Seattle via Washington State Ferries. There were also dramatic increases in web traffic on all Travel Washington websites.
• Washington State Ferries: WSF saw a boost in ridership. In particular, the first Team USA match Friday, June 19. This day had nearly 83,500 boardings – compared with just under 71,000 boardings on the same day in 2025.

Seattle has a sterling reputation as a home of soccer supporters, as well as a welcoming destination for traveling fans. For nearly a month this summer, that shared love was on full display for all the world to see.

And not to be outdone, our local transit agencies’ history as an elite-level network of transportation services was clear as well. Each public transportation provider in the region did extensive planning and predicting demand. We all stepped up to get everyone where they needed to go throughout the tournament and beyond.

Final result: soccer fans and the transit services they chose combine for a 2-0 victory.

Washington State Ferries Celebrates a Year of Hybrid-Electric Milestones

Saturday, July 18, 2026, is the one-year anniversary of the Wenatchee returning to service. The Wenatchee is North America’s largest hybrid-electric ferry. It was a historic moment for Washington State Ferries. It’s also a vital proof of concept for building a cleaner, more reliable fleet. Looking back over the past year, that single step has turned into incredible momentum. We want to share the progress of our Electrification Program.

As with any first-of-its-kind project, the Wenatchee faced typical commissioning hurdles early on. However, thanks to the hard work of crews and partners, those challenges are in the past.

In its first year the Wenatchee racked up some impressive numbers. On its Seattle to Bainbridge Island route, we had:

• 5,500 sailings
• 1.8 million total passengers
• 552,000 vehicles

The hybrid-electric ferry even took center stage on the global map. During the recent World Cup matches in Seattle from June 15 to July 6, the Wenatchee carried:

• 206,000 passengers
• 104,000 walk-on visitors
• 49,900 vehicles

Travelers from across the globe experienced our clean, quiet, cutting-edge maritime transit.

Placed on the smokestack and above the passenger loading area, new Hybrid Electric markers welcome passengers aboard the Wenatchee.  

The real-world data from this first year is encouraging. We don’t have rapid charging at the terminal yet. But even without that, the Wenatchee is operating in hybrid electric mode. That means fuel savings and reduced carbon emissions. Once we have full shoreside charging, carbon emissions could be reduced by 90 percent or more.

The Wenatchee is just the beginning. The past year brought massive structural progress across the entire electrification portfolio. We’ve cemented key industrial partnerships to build out the future ecosystem:

• Shoreside Charging Infrastructure: Siemens Energy is designing and constructing charging stations on shore. The Seattle to Bainbridge Island rapid charging project is on track to be completed in 2029.
• Automatic Charging: Stemmann-Technik will provide specialized charging systems. These systems will physically connect the terminals to the vessels.
• Charge Management: Washington State University Engineering is designing the “brain” to manage charging.
• New Hybrid Builds: ABB will make propulsion and power storage systems.

The momentum is not just on paper. Hybrid ferries that carry 160 autos are being constructed in Florida. The engineering design work on those is now nearly wrapped up. We expect to cross a huge construction threshold by cutting steel later this summer.

We started with a single converted vessel navigating its first hybrid runs. Now we have an entire supply chain humming into motion. The last year proved that maritime electrification is no longer a distant vision. It is happening right now on the Puget Sound.

Share your experience on State Route 164 and help shape future improvements

Heading to the King County Fair this month? Or traveling State Route 164 for your daily commute, school drop off, or local errands in Auburn or Enumclaw? Whether you are visiting the fair, heading to work, or making a trip to the mountains or local businesses, SR 164 plays a role in your day. However you use SR 164, your experience matters.

We are studying improvements for the stretch of road that extends from Auburn (Dogwood Street) through Muckleshoot Indian Tribal lands and unincorporated areas of King County to Highpoint Street in Enumclaw. Your input will help identify priorities and shape our recommendations. Take a few minutes to share your feedback.

Take the 10 minute survey by Tuesday, July 28.

The study area from Dogwood Street East in Auburn to High Point Street in Enumclaw.

We are identifying future improvements and making a plan for the next steps.

What we are studying

The study focuses on safety, access, mobility, walking, biking, transit, freight and emergency response needs on this part of State Route 164. We will identify short- and long-term improvements, document key needs and priorities, and make recommendations. Planning now can save time and resources in the future.

Want to hear from you today (or at least before Tuesday, July 28)!

An online open house and survey are live. If you travel on SR 164 between Auburn and Enumclaw, whether it be driving, walking, biking, rolling or transit, tell us about your experience. Click here to fill out this 10-minute survey.

We will be doing community engagement throughout the study. Other engagement opportunities will be shared as the study advances.

Working with partners

We are working closely with partners along SR 164, including:

• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
• City of Auburn
• City of Enumclaw
• King County
• King County Metro
• Emergency services
• Local and regional agencies

Input from our partners helps align the study with local plans, transit needs, community priorities, and emergency access.

What to expect

The SR 164 Vision and Implementation Plan supports our mission to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective travel options. This study will run from 2026 through mid-2027. There are three phases with opportunities for feedback.

Phase 1: We are currently in Phase 1.

• Learn about the corridor today. We collect data, review current and future conditions and listen to understand needs and concerns.
• Identify what matters most. Community input and partner input help shape the study's purpose, priorities and tradeoffs.

Phase 2:

• Develop ideas for improvement. The SR 164 Plan team will develop improvement options to address safety, access and travel needs. We'll collect community input on possible improvement options.
• Review the improvement options. We compare the options to understand their benefits, limits and tradeoffs.

Phase 3:

• Improve the recommendations. We share improvement options, gather feedback, and make changes as needed.
• Set priorities. We share a draft recommendation and ask for community input.
• Finish the plan and report back. We will summarize what we heard, explain how input was used, and complete the plan for the state legislature by June 30, 2027.

Learn more and stay informed

We are committed to transparency throughout this process and your feedback and voice make a difference. Thanks for helping to make this community driven.

Project webpage

Visit the project page for the latest updates, detailed information and recordings/presentations from our Advisory Group meetings.

Email updates: Sign up for news and study updates .

Contact Info

Zack Howard
WSDOT Principal Multimodal Planner, Complete Streets
Management of Mobility
206-437-6353
Zachary.Howard@wsdot.wa.gov

How a maintenance crew turned their commutes into a multimodal adventure

By Hannah Weinberger 

This is your sign to start a commute club with your work friends

The next time you see a group riding scooters or carrying them on light rail, give them a wave: They might be the same people keeping roads safe for all of us to use.

The scooter crew is the talk of Washington State Department of Transportation’s Area 5 maintenance facility on South Spokane Street. For the past three months, six crew members who used to drive to work have turned recent scooter purchases into a daily commute they look forward to taking together, on streets they maintain.

Crew members with our Area 5 Maintenance team show off their scooters and colorful helmets. 

They’ve learned that switching up their travel habits not only makes their commutes easier, more affordable and more fun, but changes their relationship with work and our transportation network in interesting ways.

It started with crew member Lauro. While he used to live a five-minute drive from work, moving to Federal Way had him rethinking his commute. When the new Federal Way light rail station opened, he got more serious about buying a scooter – and when gas prices surged this spring, he took the plunge.

By that point, Julian, Woody, Xavier, Scott and Luis had been talking about buying scooters for as much as a year. “I think all of us were waiting for one person to do it,” Xavier says. The scooter crew started taking shape within days. Two of them joined Lauro in riding to the Federal Way station, taking light rail to SoDo, and arriving at work by way of the 6th Ave. protected bike lane that intersects the shed’s driveway. (They used to find the bike lane annoying as drivers. “The bike lanes are actually pretty good,” Luis says. “We are on board. We want more.”)

Two weeks later, they were four-riders strong. Then six. Then came the coordinated helmets and an action camera to capture the camaraderie.

Between the convenience of connecting with light rail, the affordability, the good company and conversation and not having to sit in traffic, scooter commuting had the crew hooked. Oh, and the scenic route helps. Scott gets Rainier views as he crosses the 520 Bridge to Bellevue by scooter or the new Line 2, while Luis scoots over a hilly trail that connects from a station all the way to his backyard. “You go slower, but it’s a pretty view. And it’s something that I don’t see when I drive, you know?” Luis says.

The crew that scoots together, it turns out, also looks forward to spending more time together. Where they used to leave in a rush to beat traffic on Thursdays and Fridays, they now spend that time hanging out and exploring the area. “I think knowing your coworkers outside of work is extremely important to build those relationships, and I think it creates a healthier work environment,” Scott says.

Operations and maintenance leaders agree. “It’s definitely a morale booster,” says Sage Jones, assistant superintendent for Area 5 maintenance. “When the guys come rolling in like that, when they’re happy… it affects the entire crew.” Sage and Alec Brown, also an assistant superintendent for Area 5 maintenance, are working to make transit and micromobility more accessible for crew members by allowing for some scheduling flexibility: When a crew member wanted to take a train to work but was worried about arriving a few minutes late, managers accommodated them. “We value what they bring as a whole, no matter how they get to work,” Alec says.

Meanwhile, the scooter commutes are taking on a life of their own. The more the crew rides, the more routes they dream of trying.

After noticing a long bike lane south of the maintenance facility, Lauro’s been selling his colleagues on a route that skips Light Rail entirely.

“ One day,” he says, “ we should scooter from [work] all the way to Federal Way.”

We’re moving forward on the SR 167 Implementation Plan

State Route 167 is one of the busiest and most important corridors in the Puget Sound region. It connects people to jobs and essential services, keeps freight moving, and links communities across South King and Pierce counties. But like many growing areas, it’s also facing increasing congestion and travel challenges.

That’s why we’re continuing work on the SR 167 Implementation Plan, the next step in turning a long-term vision into real, on-the-ground improvements.

What is the Implementation Plan?

A few years ago, we worked with communities and partners along the corridor to develop the SR 167 Master Plan. That effort identified a range of multimodal improvements and strategies to help address safety, mobility, and access along the corridor.

Now we’re building on that work.

The Implementation Plan focuses on identifying which projects to advance and how they align with funding and phasing. It builds on the Master Plan by outlining the technical work required to move projects forward, including early engineering, traffic analysis and cost estimating.

Our goal is to identify one or more packages of projects and outline the level of funding that would be needed to deliver them. Those recommendations will be shared with the Legislature to help inform future decisions about transportation investments.

How we’re evaluating projects

One of the most important parts of this work is figuring out which projects rise to the top.

We’re using the goals established in the SR 167 Master Plan to guide our evaluation. That includes looking at how each project or package performs across a range of factors, such as:

• Improving safety performance for people traveling on and across the corridor
• Supporting reliable travel for people and freight
• Expanding travel options, including transit, walking, biking, and rolling
• Reducing environmental impacts and supporting healthier communities
• Improving access for communities that have been historically underserved
• Making sure solutions are practical, deliverable, and a good use of public funds

We’re also looking at how projects work together. Instead of focusing on individual projects in isolation, we’re evaluating how groups of projects can be packaged and phased to deliver the greatest overall benefit for the corridor.

Working with partners every step of the way

We’re not doing this alone.

We’re working closely with cities, counties, transit agencies, freight, and community representatives throughout the corridor. That includes the SR 167 Equity Advisory Committee, which helps make sure community perspectives are part of the process.

Together, we meet regularly to review projects, talk through priorities and shape how projects could be grouped and delivered. This collaborative approach helps us balance technical analysis with what matters most to the people who commute, live and work along SR 167.

We’ll wrap up this effort with a final report to the Legislature in December 2026.

A new webpage to follow along

We recently launched a new webpage dedicated to the SR 167 Implementation Plan. It’s the best place to find background information, track progress, and stay up to date as the work continues.

If you’re interested in the future of the corridor, we encourage you to check it out and follow along.

See us in your community this summer

We’re also getting out into the community.

This summer, our team will be visiting neighborhoods along the corridor to share information and answer questions. You’ll be able to find us at local fairs and festivals, where we’ll be talking about what we’re studying and what it could mean for the future of SR 167. Here’s a look at where you can find us this summer:

• June 20–21, 2026: Sumner Rhubarb Days
• July 10–12, 2026: Kent Cornucopia Days
• July 18, 2026: Edgewood Summerfest
• July 24–26, 2026: Renton River Days
• Aug. 14–15, 2026: Milton Days

If you see us at an event, stop by and say hello. We’d love to talk with you.

What’s next

The Implementation Plan is a key step in moving from planning to delivery. By combining technical analysis with input from our partners and communities, we’re working toward a clear path forward for the corridor.

We’ll continue to share updates as the work progresses and let people know about opportunities to get involved. If you have any questions, please email I405SR167Program@wsdot.wa.gov. You can also sign up for email updates.

Illustrative drawing of potential SR 167/SR 18 interchange improvements that may be included in the recommended package of projects

Illustrative drawing of Kent Direct Access, which may be included in the recommended package of projects

A cool, shady era begins at the Quincy Valley Rest Area

They say an optimist is someone who plants two acorns and buys a hammock. Well, there were no hammocks in sight or acorns being planted on May 13 at the Quincy Valley Rest Area off SR 28, but there was plenty of optimism.

Students from the local 4-H clubs (Quincy Sportsman 4-H and GQ 4-H), aided and supervised by community members, spent the day planting trees at the rest area, to replace the dozens of honeylocusts that had to be removed due to an infestation earlier this month.

Children from Quincy-area schools spent a day planting trees at the WSDOT Quincy Valley Rest Area off State Route 28 on May 12, 2026. The new trees replaced older trees that had to be removed due to disease.

This time around, the children spruced the place up with a variety of trees: October Glory maples, Austrian pines, European hornbeam, American Elm. The goal was simple, and visionary: To replenish the rest area with trees for future generations of travelers to enjoy. They showed up, donned reflective vests and gloves, grabbed shovels and got right to work. The rest area remained closed while the children worked safely in the dirt.

We partnered with Quincy-area 4-H clubs to plant new trees at the Quincy Valley Rest Area on SR 28, on May 13. The old trees were removed earlier this spring due to disease.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the youth volunteers who donated their time and energy to this project:

Brielle Baughman, Rayginn Baughman, Cora Tonne, Owen Tonne, Coulton Schwint, Addison Schwint, Bristol Knutson, Easton Dreher, Bentley Dreher, Braxton Dreher, and Chris Fuller.

Special thanks also go to group leaders Kristin Gans, Justine Schwint, Pauline Baughman, Jen Snyder, and Nichole Dreher, along with parent volunteers Michael Knutson, Stormy Baughman, and Jill Tonne, whose support and leadership helped make this restoration effort possible.

Because of their efforts, the Quincy Valley Safety Rest Area is beginning a new chapter — one that will provide shade, beauty, and a welcoming place to rest for travelers for decades to come.

Children and adults from the Quincy Valley worked side by side on May 12, 2026 planting trees at the Quincy Valley Rest Area off State Route 28. The children belonged to local 4-H clubs.

Shaping the future of Paradise Lake Road at SR 522

By: Zack Howard

Your input helped us understand your active transportation priorities for Paradise Lake Road around the new SR 522 Interchange.

Spring is a season of growth. That is also true for our state routes. With your help, we are “planting the seeds” for road improvements. These changes will reflect how you use these roads every day. The State Route (SR) 522 project includes:

• Widening SR 522 to two lanes in each direction.
• Building a new eastbound bridge near Fales Road and Echo Lake Road.
• Replacing the Paradise Lake Road intersection with an interchange and bike and pedestrian pathways.
• Installation of four roundabouts along Paradise Lake Road to help transition between highways and local streets
• Removing barriers to help fish swim through local streams.

Community engagement over the last year has focused on active transportation - person-powered ways of getting around, such as walking, biking or rolling - on SR 524/Paradise Lake Road near the new SR 522 interchange. When we launched our online open house and survey in October 2025, the community showed up in a big way. Nearly 1,800 people shared their feedback, helping us better understand what’s working, what’s challenging, and priorities for active transportation.

Project Vicinity Map showing SR 522 between Paradise Lake Road in Maltby and the Snohomish River

Reaching the community

We asked for your feedback to help improve active transportation on SR 524/Paradise Lake Road at the new SR 522 interchange.

Our online open house and survey were open for public participation from October 1 to October 27, 2025. We received 1,788 responses We appreciate everyone who took the time to share their ideas.

To spread the word, we mailed more than 4,500 postcards to local homes and businesses. We also used social media, email newsletters, and our website to reach as many people as possible near the project.

Below is a summary of what we heard and how your feedback shaped our plans.

What we heard: How people travel through this area

Survey responses indicate that about 70% of respondents walk, bike or roll through the area daily, multiple times per day, or on a weekly basis.

Travelers also shared what would make them feel more comfortable, walking, biking or rolling. Many people asked for wider sidewalks and more places to cross the street. Others suggested adding bike lanes and better lighting. These ideas show exactly what we need to help people feel more confident moving through the community.

What we heard: Where people would like to access as a pedestrian or on a bike

Open-ended survey questions helped us better understand where community members would like to go by walking, biking or rolling but currently feel unable to because of lack of existing infrastructure. Responses revealed four main themes:

• Access to nearby cities such as Woodinville, Snohomish, and Monroe.
• Access to specific destinations such as Paradise Valley Conservation Area, the Maltby Café, and local schools.
• General access improvements, such as better connections to trails or improved infrastructure that would allow them to walk or roll to a wider range of places.
• More general concerns, with bike and pedestrian safety being the most frequently mentioned issue.

Overall, we heard that people wanted more space for walking, biking and rolling so that they could access these and other destinations.

How community feedback informed the recommended corridor vision

Feedback from our survey and meetings helped the team choose a preferred design for active transportation.

Feedback and our analysis showed that two designs were the top choices:

• Separated directional bike lanes at the sidewalk level
• Separated two-directional bike lanes at the sidewalk level

Survey results showed that people who live, work and attend school in the area prefer these two options. Local school families told us that walking and biking to school are important ways for students to get around.

Many people shared thoughts on “shared-use” paths. They noted that these paths mix people walking with people biking at higher speeds. This can be difficult for younger children or large families. By keeping walkers and bikers in their own spaces, we provide a better experience for those going to and from school. This design helps everyone move through the area more smoothly.

What’s next?

This project is not currently funded for construction. In the meantime, WSDOT will continue advancing the design phase, along with environmental permitting and right-of-way acquisition. We’ll continue to work with partners and the community to finish the design. This ensures the project will be ready when construction is funded.

We’ll keep the project webpage updated throughout the process. The community input we receive continues to be a valuable part of this process and ensures a strong path forward for the corridor.

Learn more and stay informed

We are committed to transparency throughout this process and your feedback and voice make a difference. Thanks for helping to make this community driven.

Project webpage

Visit the project page for the latest updates, detailed information and recordings/presentations from our Advisory Group meetings.

Email updates: Sign up for news and study updates.

Contact Info

Danielle Morgan
Communications
206-482-2282
Danielle.Morgan@wsdot.wa.gov

Detours ahead: Fish frenzy brings two highway closures to south Kitsap County

By Angela Cochran and Mark Krulish

Q: What is black and white and rolls around the Puget Sound but is definitely not a soccer ball?

A: An orca.

This wasn’t a very good joke (we made it up). But we wanted to tie in fish passage with this summer’s big soccer championship. You know the one. We can’t say the name for legal reasons, but it’s in Seattle. Athletes from around the “world” are going to be there. The title includes another word for a beverage container.

We spotted a pod of orcas playing near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge last September.

Anyway, one of the benefits of removing barriers to fish is feeding orcas! We’re doing our part to appease our marine overlords (well, at least they might see it that way).

If you live in Kitsap or Mason County and plan on attending any of the games, you’ll want to plan extra travel time.

Although the matches don’t start until June, we’ve already started work at two fish passage projects. One is in the Gorst area. That project ultimately will remove barriers to fish at five locations along State Route 3, SR 16 and SR 166. The other fish barrier is south of Port Orchard under SR 160, known to most as Sedgwick Road.

Fish passage projects will close two highways on the same day in Kitsap County. SR 3 will close near Sunnyslope Road, and SR 160 will close near Long Lake Road.

Double red card

We plan on closing both SR 3 and SR 160 (Sedwick Road) on the same day, Saturday, June 13. We know that any road closure is at the least inconvenient. The closures will allow crews to remove and replace the highway in a relatively short time. SR 3 will be closed for 16 days so crews can install a new culvert that allows fish migration. Sedgwick Road will close for about four months while crews build a new bridge over Salmonberry Creek.

For both locations, closing the road means faster construction time and reduced environmental effects from building roads in wetlands. For the SR 3 location, it also comes with a cost savings of about half a million dollars.

Please note that we’re well aware of what’s happening in Seattle and the number of tourists who’ll surely visit this side of Puget Sound. We’ve done a lot to limit construction effects in the Greater Seattle area due to the tournament that we can’t legally name (rhymes with pearled pup). At the same time, we have a limited time period that we can work in a stream. This is determined by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife when fish are less active, and it varies by location. Plus, we’re under a federal court injunction to remove hundreds of barriers to fish by 2030, and that isn’t too far away.

SR 160/Sedgwick Road closure near Port Orchard

Travelers will see two signed detours for the SR 160 closure. 

If you’re headed towards the Southworth ferry, be prepared to take a short detour around a closure on Sedgwick Road (SR 160). In the late evening on Saturday, June 13, the highway will close between Blackberry Hill Lane and Long Lake Road until the end of October.

• Drivers will use Jackson Avenue, Salmonberry Road and Long Lake Road to get around the closure.
• People who walk, roll or bike will use Phillips Road, Salmonberry Road, Long Lake Road and Lakeview Drive.

Once the roadway reopens, work will stop until crews return in summer 2027 to remove the culvert and recreate the stream. The work at Salmonberry is one part of a larger fish barrier removal effort. A second location at Blackjack Creek on SR 16 near the Sedgwick Road interchange is scheduled to be complete in fall 2026.

SR 3 closure near Gorst

The morning of Saturday, June 13, we’re planning on closing a section of SR 3 between Belfair and Bremerton. The highway will remain closed around the clock for 16 days.

SR 3 travelers should plan extra time for the detour route. Signed detours will be available for people who drive, walk, roll or bike.

During the closure, our contractor will remove a section of the roadway near Sunnyslope Road Southwest. A new 150-foot-long box culvert will replace the smaller, outdated culvert under the highway.

SR 3 will remain open to residential and business traffic just north and south of the construction work zone. We’ll also have signed detours so you can still get to your destination with a little advanced planning.

While SR 3 is closed, travelers will see three signed detour routes:

• Drivers will use Sunnyslope Road Southwest and Southwest Lake Flora Road.
• People who walk, roll or bike can use Northeast Old Belfair Highway/West Belfair Valley Road.
• Commercial vehicles will be routed to SR 16 and SR 302.

Crews will work double shifts to make sure the work is completed on time.

While we are pretty sure that the SR 3 closure will happen on June 13, the schedule may change for a couple of reasons. The new culvert is being assembled off-site. If there are any issues with the assembly process, the closure could happen later. We are also waiting for the creek to dry out. Gorst Creek is a seasonal stream. This means that at some point during the warmer months, there is very little to no water in the stream. If we get a lot of rain between now and the closure date, we may need to divert the water, which can take more time to set up. We will continue to monitor the culvert assembly and weather for changes. We’ll update the project webpage and real-time travel map as schedules are finalized.

A larger concrete culvert will replace the current one under the highway. The blue flags mark the corners of the new culvert.

Why we remove fish barriers in seasonal streams

Some streams have seasonal flow, which means they may be dry at times, but they are still important to fish. For example, chum and pink salmon fry migrate directly to saltwater shortly after emerging from gravels in the spring. So, a stream that dries during the summer is not a concern for their life cycle. These streams can also sustain young or juvenile coho salmon. According to researchers, this is because there are often residual pools scattered through watersheds where they can wait out the dry periods. In these situations, young fish can benefit from using seasonal streams. It has been documented in studies linked on the Washington State Department of National Resources and on the Forest Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture websites, juvenile coho using seasonal streams are larger and have a greater chance of survival than streams with year-round flow. Researchers think that this may be due to reduced competition for food resources compared to year-round streams.

Gorst Creek potentially supports chum, coho, steelhead, sea-run cutthroat and resident trout.

SR 16 construction

Work is underway on SR 16 near Tremont Street West. People will see nighttime lane closures for early work and into construction as crews start building a temporary bypass road. The temporary bypass road will have two lanes in each direction. Travelers will also see detours for people who walk, roll and bike. Once the bypass road is in place, crews will start work digging up the highway. Travelers will see the speed limit temporarily reduced from 60 mph to 45 mph. A bridge will replace the outdated culvert under the highway. We expect this site to take two years to complete with work pausing for winter.

During work on SR 16, a signed detour via SR 16 Spur, Feigley Road and Southwest Old Clifton Road will be available for people who walk, bike or roll.

Future work

Work is also planned at three other locations: SR 16 in Gorst, the intersection of SR 3, SR 16 spur and West Sam Christopherson Avenue in Gorst, and Southeast Mile Hill Drive (SR 166) near Veterans Memorial Park in east Port Orchard. We are still working through some details on start dates and how traffic will move through these work zones. We do know that travelers will see lane closures as well as detours for people who walk, roll or bike.

Travel tools

No matter which work zone you need to navigate through this summer and beyond, we will get you where you need to go. It just may take a little longer than usual.

Make sure to check our online open house for the latest updates. You can also sign up for email alerts on state highway projects happening in Kitsap County. Download our app for real-time traffic information and alerts.

Improving safety along US 395 north of Pasco

Safety is our top priority. We know many people in the Tri-Cities have concerns about safety along US 395 north of Pasco. We want to share the improvements already made and why. We also want to share how we’re continuing to work with the community to improve safety.

Understanding the safety challenges

The section of US 395 from south of Foster Wells Road to just north of Eltopia has seen more crashes in recent years. Between 2020 and 2025, there were 293 crashes. That includes:

• 12 fatal crashes
• 19 fatalities
• 10 serious injury crashes
• 18 serious injuries

We take every crash seriously. We’ve reviewed locations along US 395 to identify patterns. That has helped us decide if safety improvements could help reduce crashes.

Our review found many of the fatal crashes shared similar characteristics. Most happened during daylight hours and in clear weather conditions. These crashes often involve drivers entering US 395 from side streets onto a high-speed highway. The Washington State Patrol also helped us to better understand the factors behind these recent crashes. Their investigations showed that a key issue was that drivers have a hard time judging the speed of vehicles already on US 395.

Safety improvements completed

In 2020, we completed a $15 million project to improve safety at several intersections, including these roads:

• Foster Wells
• Vineyard
• Phend
• Crestloch
• Sagemoor
• East Elm
• Eltopia West

Improvements included new acceleration and deceleration lanes, upgraded lighting and enhancing warning and directional signs.

Recently, we added signs along this road to warn drivers about vehicles entering and exiting. This is part of our ongoing efforts along US 395, not a result of recent legislation. These changes give drivers more time and space to safely merge, slow down, and react to traffic conditions.

Why the speed limit change

Following our review of the corridor, we reduced the speed limit from 70 mph to 65 mph in key areas earlier this year. Speed limits aren’t set randomly. We evaluate roadway design, traffic conditions, access points, and crash history when deciding on speeds. Lower speeds give drivers more time to react and can help make the crashes less severe if they do happen.

Education is the next step

As we reviewed crashes along the corridor, one common theme stood out. Drivers didn’t know how to use the acceleration and deceleration lanes. This makes the need for driver education even more important.

When you are driving on US 395, stay alert for vehicles entering from side streets. Be prepared for traffic slowing near intersections and businesses. When entering the highway, use the full length of the acceleration lanes to reach traffic speed before merging. When exiting the highway, move into the deceleration lane early and use the lane to slow down after leaving the main travel lanes. Slowing down in the through lane can create unexpected conflicts for drivers behind you.

The Washington State Patrol and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission helped us make a driver education video on entering and exiting the highway. We are giving safety information to local businesses. We’ll also be at community events with information to help drivers better understand the corridor.

Looking ahead

We are still tracking crash trends. We will evaluate future safety options. There are currently no funded projects planned, but more improvements may be considered if funding becomes available.

Improving safety on US 395 requires a combination of engineering, education, enforcement, and community partnership. We appreciate the community’s continued engagement as we work together to make this corridor safer for everyone.

The End of the “Rough Road” in Southwest Washington

If you drive in Southwest Washington, you’ve seen the signs.

Rough Roads.
Slower speeds.
A bumpy ride.

In Clark County, two stretches along Interstate 5 and State Route 14 have “Rough Road” signs displayed. Years of increased traffic, aging pavement and tough weather have taken a toll. The result: cracked surfaces, potholes and temporary fixes.

But that’s about to change.

Both locations are getting the long-term attention they need this summer, leading to smoother, safer trips.

Like many preservation projects across the state, these improvements depend on available funding, which means we often have to prioritize the most urgent needs first and fix them in phases. Now, it’s time for these two highways to finally get their turn.

A smoother ride on SR 14

For years, drivers crossing the SR 14 West Camas Slough bridge have felt the wear and tear firsthand. Potholes and ruts keep coming back, making each trip a bumpy one.

Maintenance crews have stayed busy patching and making repairs as needed, but those fixes have always been temporary. Until now.

In summer 2026, crews will begin a full resurfacing project on the bridge.

The work includes:

• Removing old asphalt
• Inspecting and repairing the concrete deck
• Adding a new waterproofing layer
• Paving new asphalt
• Replacing four expansion joints

When the work is finished, travelers can expect a smoother, more reliable crossing with fewer maintenance closures. No more dodging potholes that kept bouncing back.

Taking a new approach on I-5

Another rough stretch lies on southbound I-5 that many drivers know all too well.

Between Northeast 179th Street and the I-5/I-205 split, thousands of concrete panels have carried traffic for decades, well beyond their intended lifespan. Many panels are broken and uneven, creating a rough and bumpy drive.

Concrete must be flat before it can be paved over. Simply adding asphalt on top won’t fix the problem. Over the last several years we’ve replaced the worst panels, but there’s just too many to repair one by one.

Now, we’re trying something different.

In summer 2026, crews will use a method called “crack, seat and overlay” to rebuild the roadway.

Here’s how it works:

• The old concrete is cracked into smaller pieces.
• Those pieces are pressed down firmly into place.
• Several layers of asphalt are added on top.

This method allows us to repair a larger stretch of highway quickly while keeping costs down.

But the work doesn’t stop there. Crews will also address the stretch of I-5 just north of the crack, seat, and overlay work, between NE 179th Street and Ridgefield. First, this summer, crews will replace the worst of the worst panels, and then in 2027 return to complete the full crack, seat, and overlay work. There’s more to come and smoother rides ahead.

The road to smooth ahead

When these projects wrap up at, those familiar “Rough Road” signs will disappear.

We know these roads are part of your daily routine. Whether you’re commuting to work, moving goods, taking a road trip, or running errands, every trip matters.

We appreciate everyone’s patience as we make these improvements. We can’t wait to put the bumps behind us and look forward to smoother roads ahead.