They’re back -- FREE overnight high school transportation summer camps

By Lisa Walzl

Are you a high school student passionate about a career in transportation? Or just curious about the rapidly evolving industry? Ever want to take a behind the scenes tour of a bridge or other parts of our state transportation system? Do you know a teenager who would?

If so, we have an adventure-filled summer camp experience for you. Back by popular demand, we're offering high school students a chance to spend a week exploring the transportation field. Students will do hands-on projects and get university-led instruction. They'll get to experience real-world applications in planning, engineering and technology. You'll find this all at our Washington Transportation Camp 2026 hosted by PacTrans and WSDOT.

Students touring the WSDOT Transportation Management Center in Shoreline.

We're offering two free immersive camp experiences this summer. Both camps include lodging at a state university. One is a six-day camp at Washington State University in Pullman from June 21-26. The second is a six-day camp at the University of Washington in Seattle from Aug. 2-7. Students will stay on campus in university dormitories during the camp. Sponsors cover all lodging and meals. There are no costs for students.

We are currently accepting applications. The deadline to apply for both camps is Friday, April 10. To be considered, applicants must be entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade at a Washington state school for the fall 2026 semester. They also need to be able to attend the entire session. You don't need previous experience in engineering or transportation – but curiosity is a must!

To learn more about these programs and to apply, visit the camp website.

Students meeting with the WSDOT Incident Response Team.

Both camps offer students the chance to:

• Take field trips. Professionals will take students to transportation facilities like the Northwest Region Transportation Management Center. You'll gain insight into their inner workings.
• Showcase their knowledge in collaborative group projects.
• Make new friends and experience life on a college campus.
• Explore the potential for a future career in transportation – whether it's in engineering, planning or beyond.

Students creating transportation models at the Washington State University camp.

This could be the start of a career in transportation, engineering, planning or a whole host of other fields. But even if it's not, participants will learn more about the transportation systems they use every day. And they’ll have some pretty good stories to share with friends and family about the unique experience they had over the summer.

We hope to see you there!

Community Voices Helping Shape the SR 900 Corridor

By: Nick Menzel

Your input helped shape this project

In late summer and early fall 2025, we asked for your input, and you answered. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the State Route 900/57th Avenue South to 135th Street Pedestrian Safety Improvements project. Now, we’d love to show you how we put that feedback to use.

Project Vicinity Map

Community engagement and feedback

Our online engagement included an open house and a survey that was open for 29 days, from Aug. 12 to Sept. 9, 2025. During that time, our project page welcomed 377 visitors. We received 50 survey responses. We mailed more than 3,700 postcards to residents and businesses within a half mile of the project area. The survey was available in eight languages: Amharic, Chinese (Traditional), English, Spanish, Somali, Tagalog, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.

We wanted to reach the whole community, so we also brought the conversation into the neighborhood. We attended meetings with the West Hill Community Association and Skyway Coalition. We also connected with apartment complexes to help share information. And we invited people to join the conversation at community events.

WSDOT staffing a table at the West Hill Community Association Trunk-or-Treat event.

What we heard and how it informs the project

We heard from people who know SR 900 well. They shared their thoughts about how much they use the corridor. They also shared safety concerns and ideas for improvements. Below are some of the main themes:

• Frequent corridor users:
• Most respondents travel along SR 900 between 57th Avenue South and South 135th Street daily or many times per day
• Travel modes include driving, transit, walking, biking, and mobility devices
• Driving is most common; transit is second, followed by walking and biking
• Top concerns:
• Fast-moving traffic (primary concern)
• Missing sidewalks
• Insufficient crosswalks
• Limited lighting
• Lack of bike facilities
• Most requested improvements:
• Slower vehicle speeds (top priority)
• More medians/traffic separators
• Improved lighting
• More benches and amenities
• Safer, more frequent crossings
• Wider sidewalks for comfort and accessibility
• Preliminary alternatives feedback: Participants noted that they preferred Alternative 1, of the options presented.

How community feedback informed the project

Feedback on needs, priorities and preferences guided the project team. Based on your feedback, we selected Alternative 1 as the preferred alternative for SR 900. The project design will use this option to improve safety, accessibility and comfort.

Alternative 1 showing narrower lanes and no lane reduction. The westbound shoulder has been removed.

What’s next?

The project team is moving into the next phase of work. We'll work on design and right-of-way acquisition for Phase A. We'll also complete a construction cost estimate. Construction of Phase A is not funded, so we’ll seek funding once that work is complete.

An environmental justice assessment is also an important part of this project and will begin soon. Throughout this next phase, we’ll continue to engage with the community. We'll also stay in close communication with our agency partners. We’re moving ahead thoughtfully and collaboratively.

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 and detailed information. You can also find recordings/presentations from our Advisory Group meetings.
• Email updates: Sign up for news and study updates.

Contact Info

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

A new spin in Kirkland: Northeast 85th Street roundabout opens this spring

By: Julie Moon

This spring, Northeast 85th Street in Kirkland is getting a fresh look!

Drivers will start using the new oblong roundabout at the new lower street level. This work is part of the I-405/Northeast 85th Street and Inline BRT Station Project.

New Northeast 85th Street configuration this spring.

The roundabout will be on level one, which is the lowest level of the new three-level interchange. Right now, local traffic on Northeast 85th Street is using level two. This setup was temporary while crews dug down to build level one. Once it opens, level one will become the new permanent street for Northeast 85th Street.

Design visualization of the new three-level interchange on I-405 in Kirkland.

Level one is Northeast 85th Street, the lowest level of the new interchange.

Roundabout besties with Northeast 132nd Street

If you've used the roundabouts at Northeast 132nd Street, this one will feel similar. It works the same way and helps traffic keep moving with fewer stops and delays.

The driving rules are the same as all our roundabouts:

• Slow down to the posted limit as you approach.
• Drive counterclockwise.
• Yield to vehicles already in the roundabout on your left.

Closures in March and April

Coming up in March, crews will close the northbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 85th Street (Exit 18) for paving and ramp realignment. In April, Northeast 85th Street will close for one weekend between 120th Avenue Northeast and 114th Avenue Northeast for a traffic shift. All ramps to and from I-405 at Northeast 85th Street will also close. Signed detours will be in place to get around Northeast 85th Street. When the road reopens Monday morning, drivers will use the new roundabout.

Aerial view of the work zone taken in January.

Plan ahead!

These closures are needed to keep workers and drivers safe. Please plan for:

• Extra travel time. Use alternate routes and travel during non-peak hours if you can.
• Signed detours and flaggers to guide drivers around construction.
• Slower speeds and careful driving through work zones.

Looking ahead

After the roundabout opens, work will continue on level one. Crews will build walls, install utilities, and get the road ready for new ramps to level two. On level two, crews will place large bridge beams for the new Stride bus rapid transit station and the Sound Transit 2 Line platform. This middle level will serve multimodal users – bus riders, light rail riders, carpoolers, toll lane users, cyclists, and people walking and rolling.

Design visualization of the multimodal platform on level two, still under construction.

Check out the WSDOT real-time travel map for up-to-date information. If you have any questions or would like to sign up for project updates, please email I405SR167Program@wsdot.wa.gov. Stay informed by subscribing to WSDOT updates for King County.