She responded to a crash—and became part of it

By: Celeste Dimichina

When a crash happens on a Washington highway, our crew responds to help those involved and quickly reopen the highway.

Around 9:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23, that’s exactly what happened when WSDOT Maintenance and Incident Response Technician Rachel Suitter was called to a crash on SR 504 in Castle Rock.

When crew arrived, they saw how serious the crash was, and they closed both directions of the highway. This gave first responders space to provide lifesaving medical attention to and allow Washington State Patrol to investigate.

After about five hours, the investigation was nearly complete. Rachel and her crew were standing by, ready and waiting to reopen the highway.

Then, in a matter of seconds, everything changed.

“I knew I was going to get hit.”

Rachel was sitting inside her truck, which was positioned for traffic control and to help provide a barrier of protection for those working the scene ahead, when a call came over the radio: a car was approaching fast.

Too fast.

“I looked in my mirrors and saw a truck come around the corner,” Rachel said. “It was fishtailing. I watched it for a few seconds … and I knew I was going to get hit.”

Following her training, she checked her seat belt, put her truck into drive to help reduce the impact, then she honked her horn to warn those who were at the scene.

Seconds later, the truck slammed into her.

But it didn’t stop there.

A chain reaction of chaos

After hitting Rachel’s truck, the driver—who later was charged with driving under the influence, vehicular assault, and reckless endangerment—lost a tire but kept going.

The vehicle hit a WSP patrol car on the shoulder. Then it crossed the highway and hit another patrol car, striking and seriously injuring the deputy coroner.

“It was just pure chaos,” Rachel said. “You go from wrapping up a crash to suddenly seeing more cars hit and more people get hurt. You feel helpless.”

Crash scene on SR 504 near Reynolds Road in Castle Rock, WA.

This didn’t have to happen

This crash could have been prevented.

Before reaching the crash site, the driver passed:

• Multiple “ROAD CLOSED” signs.
• WSDOT vehicles blocking the roadway with flashing lights.
• Emergency and law enforcement vehicles with flashing lights.
• Crew working on the scene.

“I don’t know what else we can do,” said Rachel. “There were signs, lights—everything. The driver should never have even made it that far.”

“We have families too”

For Rachel, the impact didn’t end when the crash was over.

Like many first responders and transportation workers, she went back to work soon after. But the experience stayed with her.

“You carry that with you,” she said. “It’ll never go away. I can still feel the impact and see the entire scene playing out in slow motion. I feel helpless all over again, and I feel angry.”

Rachel has worked for the state for more than 20 years. But she’s also a mom, a wife, and a caregiver.

“We have families too,” Rachel said. “At the start of every shift, I’m already thinking about getting back home. My kids, my husband and my elderly parent rely on me. When I get in my work truck, my family is on my mind. If something happens to me, my kids could lose their mom, my parent will lose a child, and my husband could lose his spouse. The public trusts us to keep the roads safe. We trust the public to make safe choices on the road.

Rachel poses with her husband and son in front of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

Rachel, left, hugs her son before heading to work.

Rachel, right, poses with her daughter during a family gathering.

Work zones are workplaces

When you drive through a work zone or a crash site, you’re driving through someone’s workplace.

“Our office is the road,” Rachel said. “People don’t always realize that. We don’t have cubicles or walls.”

Crews train year-round on safety and the risks they face. But there’s one thing they can’t control: drivers.

“We can’t prepare for someone who chooses to drive impaired,” she said. “And to be honest, we shouldn’t have to. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

A message we’ll keep repeating

Stories like Rachel’s matter because they’re preventable.

• There is no excuse. Never drive impaired!
• Pla ahead — use a ride share or a designated driver
• Slow down and move over — it’s the law!
• Stay alert in work zones.
• Follow signs and directions from crews and law enforcement.

These aren’t suggestions. Consistently following the rules of the road save lives.

The choice — and the consequences

Driving impaired is a choice.

If that choice leads to a crash, the effects don’t end at the scene. People can be seriously hurt, and families can be changed forever. First responders, crews and law enforcement carry that trauma for the rest of their lives.

Rachel will never forget that night.

Others may not make it back home at all.

Behind every orange vest is a real person whose life depends on the actions of the public. Every time you get behind the wheel, your choices matter more than you realize.

Rachel asks everyone traveling on every road, every day, “please help us get home.”

Rachel stands beside her WSDOT Incident Response Team truck before heading out to assist travelers.  

Earth Day, every day: How we’re protecting Washington’s environment together

By: Tina Werner, WSDOT maintenance communicator

Today is Earth Day (April 22), a time to celebrate our planet and reflect on the role we all play in protecting it. For us, Earth Day isn’t just a once-a-year moment. It’s built into the work we do every day. In fact, we launched our first Sustainability Action Plan on Earth Day 2019. This plan outlines how we’re protecting Washington’s environment for future generations. That commitment guides how we plan, build and maintain our transportation system.

Ecology crews collect trash along US 101 in Thurston County in April. Part of our commitment to protecting our planet is to plant native flowers and shrubs along the roadsides. Many restoration projects include site specific work that benefit pollinators.

The work you see (and the work you don’t)

When many people think of Earth Day, they might think of litter. And along our highways, it’s a very real issue. Our highway maintenance crews work with the departments of Ecology and Corrections and Adopt-A-Highway volunteers. Together, we work to keep roadsides clean, but it’s a constant struggle. Addressing this problem requires strong partnerships among state agencies, organizations and communities. The traveling public plays a crucial role too. The best solution is to stop litter from reaching roadways in the first place. By working together, we can keep Washington clean, safe and beautiful for everyone.

Litter cleanup is funded through a limited highway maintenance budget. That same budget also supports critical roadway operations and safety efforts. That includes things like:

• repairing damaged guardrails and potholes
• striping roads
• maintaining rest areas
• responding to snow and ice.

Generally, litter is not considered a critical highway safety task unless it is blocking a travel lane. Our maintenance crews must prioritize critical safety work. Crews remove deceased animals and large items, such as abandoned refrigerators, from roadways. If you see something that is an immediate safety concern, please call 9-1-1. They can dispatch law enforcement as well as our crews to the site. It is important to note that discarding items along the highway is illegal. Under state law, litter tickets and fines can be issued but a sworn law officer must see the littering take place. Tickets can’t be issued based on reports given to or seen by our field staff.

Multiple parters, one shared goal

Litter is picked up by departments of Ecology and Corrections crews, as well as our Adopt-A-Highway volunteers. Sometimes, contractor crews are hired by corporate sponsors. Those pick-up crews and volunteers leave full litter bags in a pile along the highway. Then, our maintenance crews collect them and record the volume for reporting purposes. These are the same crews who plow highways of snow and ice in the winter months. Most litter is generally collected between March and October. That’s when there’s less rain, and winter operations aren’t active. When crews are already working in an area, they often combine tasks. Planning ahead to sweep, pick up litter and remove graffiti all at once helps reduce future disruptions for travelers.

Ecology crews collect roadside litter along US 101 near Olympia in April. Our highway maintenance crews provided traffic control and disposed of the bagged litter. They also mowed and conducted vegetation management within the closure area.

And what our crews find can be surprising.

In 2025, together with Ecology, we spent more than $17 million on litter cleanup and disposal. These are large investments, but they do not fully capture the ongoing scope and complexity of litter challenges we face each year. Last year, our crews collected 726 tons of litter along state highways. This includes large items like mattresses and desks as well as bags of litter collected by volunteers and contractor crews. We do not have regular, dedicated litter crews. We also don’t have the funding to create them, which is why our partnerships with other agencies, communities and the public are so important. Preventing litter starts with all of us.

Thinking about joining? Adopt-A-Highway volunteers commit to taking care of a designated two-mile stretch of highway over a two-year period. Many of our volunteers take great pride in cleaning up our highways in the communities where they live and work. We currently have more than 800 active volunteer groups across the state, but we’re always looking for more to help make a difference. Volunteers must be at least 15 years of age and in good health. We provide litter bags and safety materials before each cleanup.

Adopt-A-Highway program volunteers for the Quilcene Harbor Yacht club. They had a successful litter cleanup last fall in the Olympic Peninsula

But litter pickup is just one piece of a much bigger picture.

Behind the scenes, our highway maintenance crews are managing stormwater systems, controlling weeds and preparing for wildfire. They are also thinking ahead and implementing a more environmentally friendly snow and ice program.

We created a pollinator-friendly habitat along Interstate 5 at the Scatter Creek Safety Rest Area. This is part of our roadside landscape program. Pollinator meadows like this require less mowing and upkeep compared to traditional turf grass. Besides benefiting pollinators, they help conserve resources, reduce emissions and lower maintenance costs.

We also have a team that include biologists, cultural resources specialists, permitting specialists and environmental quality assurance professionals. These environmental professionals help ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations and policies.

Making a difference across Washington

Across the state, our work to protect the environment shows up in many ways:

• Since 2013, we’ve corrected 200 fish barriers. These corrections restore access to more than 705 miles of upstream habitat.
• We’re partnering with agencies, tribes and conservation groups to improve how we treat stormwater. Together, we’re working to remove harmful pollutants before they reach waterways.
• We’re building wildlife crossings that help animals move safely while reducing collisions on our roadways.
• We’ve signed a contract with Eastern Shipbuilders to construct up to three hybrid-electric 160 auto-ferries. We expect delivery of the first vessel in 2030. When terminals are electrified in the next few years, the vessels will operate on battery power. This decreases fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
• We’re working to create edge buffers and fire-resilient native plant communities in Eastern Washington. We need to reduce the possibility of roadside fires before they start.
• We’re protecting wetlands and riparian areas as part of our highway construction program. We’re using principles of avoidance, minimization and mitigation.
• We’ve transitioned much of our fleet to renewable diesel — reducing emissions by about 70%. This also lowers maintenance impacts and costs.
• We’ve launched the second round of an e-bike rebate program. Rebates have already given more than 11,000 people the opportunity to reduce the upfront cost of e-bikes. The program makes e-bikes more affordable by providing rebates of either $300 or $1,200, depending on income eligibility.
• We’re investing in programs that help communities create safer travel options. Examples include bicycle education and helping reconnect neighborhoods divided by highways.
• We are reducing the effects of underwater noise on marine mammals. We are on the leadership committee of Quiet Sound. They recently recognized us for our leadership in voluntary vessel slowdowns. Since 2015, we’ve been one of just two U.S. entities in the ECHO Program. This program helps us understand and reduce the impacts of shipping on whales throughout the southern coast of British Columbia.

Protecting our planet includes correcting fish barriers under state highways. This example is along State Route 20 near Sedro-Woolley. This project reopened over half a mile of habitat for salmon and trout. It also created safer crossings for wildlife like deer, elk and black bears.

It takes all of us

Protecting our environment is a shared responsibility. We’ll continue to explore new ways to reduce our environmental impact and deliver sustainable transportation solutions. As a friendly reminder, small daily actions from all of us make a real difference. Simple choices like securing your load before every trip or choosing not to litter help keep our roads safe and our environment clean.

Because Earth Day isn’t just today. It’s every day.

Shift happens! Get ready for the new (temporary) normal on SR 520

By: Tony Black

SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project update

Look – we know construction can bring a lot of change to your commutes. With construction happening for the Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project and Revive I-5 Project, getting around the Seattle area can be challenging. That’s why we want to keep you updated on some major shift(s) that’s about to go down. We want full transparency: the only shifty business will be with our ramps, not our information!

Continue reading to learn more about:

• Our upcoming ramp shifts near I-5 and Montlake Boulevard
• A 10-day long eastbound SR 520 to Montlake Boulevard ramp closure
• How to contact the project team with questions and comments

Shift #1: Northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 ramp shift

Our first phase of work will affect people traveling northbound on I-5 towards eastbound SR 520.

During the weekend of May 8-11, crews will close eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake Blvd. During the closure, we’ll move traffic barriers, add lane striping and prepare the new temporary northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 ramp for travelers.

We have two big closures planned before we can shift traffic.

• Round 1 – Eastbound SR 520 closed for a full weekend: From 11 p.m. Friday, May 29 to 5 a.m., Monday, June 1, we will fully close eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake in Seattle.

o Only the segment of eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard will close.

o Eastbound SR 520 across Lake Washington will stay open.

Eastbound SR 520 and several ramps will close between 11 p.m. Friday, May 8, and 5 a.m. Monday, May 11

On Monday, May 8, drivers will use a new ramp to travel from northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520. 

On your left! New traffic patterns for northbound I-5 travelers

On the morning of May 11, people traveling from northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 will be on a new ramp that will put them in a new section of SR 520. This will be a major shift from before, and drivers need to be prepared.

Instead of entering SR 520 in the right lane, the new ramp will go over and around existing ramps. Travelers will now enter eastbound SR 520 in the left lane.

Eastbound SR 520 will close between 11 p.m. Friday, May 29, and 5 a.m. Monday, June 1

The Eastbound off-ramp will remain closed after the weekend closure around the clock until 5 a.m. June 8

Beginning at 5 a.m. Monday, June 8, drivers will use a new eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Blvd. 

What to expect

• On your left! Travelers on the temporary ramp will now enter eastbound SR 520 in the left lane instead of the right lane.
• Follow the leader: The ramp from southbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 will not change during this traffic shift. However, travelers on this ramp should now expect traffic on their left side instead of on their right side.
• Get ready for curveballs: The temporary ramp will have a tighter turn than the current ramp, and travelers should exercise caution when driving in the area.
• Shift happens: Northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 drivers wanting to exit onto Montlake Boulevard will now need to change lanes.

This will be the first of two traffic shifts we have planned for this spring. Northbound to eastbound drivers – catch you on the flip side (of SR 520)!

Shift #2: Eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard long-term closure and ramp shift

A few weeks after we finish our first traffic shift, we’ll start preparing to shift eastbound SR 520 travelers as they head towards Montlake Boulevard. This will require us to close the eastbound off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard for ten days while we finish building the new temporary ramp and begin removing the existing ramp.

We have two big closures planned before we can shift traffic.

• Round 1 – Eastbound SR 520 closed for a full weekend: From 11 p.m. Friday, May 29 to 5 a.m., Monday, June 1, we will fully close eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake in Seattle.
• Only the segment of eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard will close.
• Eastbound SR 520 across Lake Washington will stay open.
• Round 2 – Eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard remains closed: We will keep the eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard closed through early morning on Monday, June 8. 
• During Round 2 of construction, traffic from I-5 entering eastbound SR 520 will not be able to exit onto Montlake Boulevard and will continue across Lake Washington. Drivers will pay the SR 520 bridge toll.
• Those who want to avoid the toll or access Montlake Boulevard from I-5 must use alternate routes.

That’s a lot of dates to track! Let’s simplify this.

From Friday night, May 29 to Monday morning, June 8, eastbound SR 520 travelers will NOT be able to get off at Montlake Boulevard. Travelers on northbound I-5 wanting to get to Montlake will need take alternative exits on I-5.

During these closures, we will install new traffic barriers and lane striping on the new ramp. We will also begin removing some sections of the existing off-ramp to make room for future permanent structures.

On the morning of Monday, June 8, we’ll have completed our site preparation, and we’ll shift eastbound traffic onto a new, temporary off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard.

What’s the deal with this new off-ramp?

Well, to give us enough room for new permanent ramps and structures, the new temporary off-ramp will need to begin much earlier on the bridge than the existing off-ramp. See below for what that will look like.

An aerial view of the new temporary off-ramp and the closed existing off-ramp.

What to expect

• Spring into action earlier: Eastbound SR 520 travelers taking the exit to Montlake Boulevard should be prepared to exit earlier than usual and pay attention to additional signs.
• Don’t lose your shift: Please be patient with your fellow travelers as they navigate both of our traffic shifts. An earlier exit means an earlier decision about switching lanes – keep calm and travel on!

Travelers heading eastbound on SR 520 that don’t exit onto Montlake Boulevard will continue onto the SR 520 floating bridge. The floating bridge is a tolled facility, and drivers headed eastbound will be charged a toll for crossing it.

Shifts about to get real!

Here’s how the two ramp shifts will work for eastbound travelers.

A map showing the new eastbound ramps at the I-5 and Montlake interchanges on SR 520.

By shifting these ramps, we can make way for new permanent infrastructure that will help support the new Portage Bay bridges and the Roanoke Lid. This will be a big step toward helping us finish the project.

When the project is completed in 2031, there will be new, permanent off-ramps at the I-5 and Montlake Boulevard interchanges.

Questions?

Visit the SR 520 Construction Corner website for additional information on construction activities and impacts.

For questions, please call our 24-hour hotline at 206-319-4520 or email us at SR520bridge@wsdot.wa.gov.

Your Feedback in Action: How Community Input Guides a Project

By: Zack Howard

When we asked for feedback on improvements to State Route 99 between South 272nd and SR 516, the community responded in a big way. Your input helped shape the long-term vision for this project. We are grateful for your ideas and excited to share how they are influencing our work.

Project Vicinity Map 

Establishing the long-term vision while pushing for near-term change

Our goal is to build “Complete Streets.” These are roads designed for everyone, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. While the lack of available funding means we can’t build the SR 99 long-term vision preferred by the community, we do have funding for some bicycle and pedestrian improvements. These improvements will help make the road feel less stressful and more welcoming while we wait for the opportunity and funding to put the bigger vision in place.

Below, we’ll discuss both the deferred long-term vision and the near-term improvements we plan to implement, as well as the role the community played in helping us make these decisions.

Reaching the Community

Our online open house and survey ran from September 30 through November 8, 2025. Here is how we connected.

• 763 people visited the project website.
• 179 people completed the survey.
• 19,000 postcards were mailed to residents and businesses.
• Multiple Languages: The survey was available in English, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, and Ukrainian.

What we heard and how it informs the corridor vision

How People Travel Today

Most people who took our survey said they don’t regularly walk, bike, or roll along this part of SR 99. About half said they rarely or never do. However, many people said they would walk or bike more often if the roads were improved.

This matches common travel patterns. People are more likely to use active transportation like biking if there are sidewalks and bike lanes. People feel more comfortable when those features are easy to access.

Why This Corridor Matters

People use this stretch of SR 99 in their everyday lives. Many respondents live nearby and travel along the corridor to shop, visit restaurants, attend appointments, commute to work or school, recreate and visit friends and family. The corridor functions as both a destination and a key regional route.

Safety Is the Top Priority

When we asked about long-term goals, one theme stood out: people want to move through this area with greater confidence.

The most common priorities included:

• Better lighting and visibility
• Support for drivers
• Improvements for people walking, biking, and rolling
• Safety and visibility in crosswalks

What Improvements People Want to See

When it comes to specific features, high-visibility crossings were the clear favorite. Other commonly supported improvements included:

• Separated paths and bike lanes
• Pedestrian refuge islands
• Wider sidewalks

Some community members also suggested additional lighting, speed-control measures, and other safety-focused upgrades.

Where Improvements Are Needed Most

Respondents highlighted several key locations for improvement, including:

• The intersection at South 272nd Street and SR 99
• Kent Des Moines Road/SR 516 and SR 99
• Areas between South 240th Street and South 252nd Street

Some people said the entire corridor could benefit from improvements, while others pointed to specific intersections, bus stops or businesses.

Everyday Destinations Along the Corridor

Many of the places people visit most often are everyday spots like grocery stores, shops, restaurants, the library, and Highline College. This shows how important it is to have reliable ways to get around on foot or by bike for daily needs.

How community feedback informed the recommended corridor vision

Your feedback on what you need and what you prefer directly guided our team’s decisions. Based on what we heard, we chose Alternative 2 as the preferred long-term vision for this area.

Right now, we have enough funding to pave the road and make some immediate improvements, but we do not yet have enough for the full Alternative 2 design. We will need to wait for additional funding before we can implement this design. When that time comes, we will return to the community. We want to make sure the plan still meets the needs of everyone who relies on SR 99. We are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.

The selected preferred alternative, Alternative 2. 

In the meantime, WSDOT has worked with the City of Kent to identify near-term improvements – additions that include:

Truck aprons – mountable curbs that let trucks execute wider turns but give pedestrians visibility as they approach the crosswalk

Enhanced driveways – breaking up wider driveways to decrease crossing time for pedestrians and reduce conflicts with turning vehicles

Speed cushions – slowing turning traffic to increase awareness of crossing movements. 

If you’d like to learn more about the online open house, the feedback we received, and how these decisions were made, read the full summary on our project webpage: Online Open House Summary

Next steps

Construction is currently scheduled to begin in summer 2026 to pave SR 99, upgrade ADA ramps, and construct improvements that can be implemented during the paving and ADA construction. These improvements include lane narrowing, speed cushions, truck aprons and enhanced driveways. Right now, funding is available for the near-term work. Additional funding will be needed before the full preferred long-term vision can be built.

As we move into construction, we’ll continue engaging with the community and coordinating closely with our agency partners. Your input remains an important part of how this project moves forward.

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

Amber Stanley - Community Engagement Lead

Phone: 206-817-8833

Email: amber.stanley@wsdot.wa.gov

A split second can change everything: A highway maintenance worker’s close call on I-90

By Tina Werner

An instant. That’s all it took for nighttime highway maintenance worker Josh Quilici’s life to flash before his eyes. Josh was treating Interstate 90 for snow and ice near Kittitas this past winter when he was hit by a semi-truck.

Josh, who helps keep major state routes open like Snoqualmie Pass during the harsh winter months, was driving a snowplow on the evening of January 17. His team works tirelessly around the clock to clear and treat highways, ensuring people and goods can travel safely through snowy conditions.

Around milepost 115, Josh’s routine shift took a terrifying turn. Another vehicle collided with his snowplow, flipping him upside down and sending him and his truck into a ditch.

 Josh’s upside down plow truck after being hit by another vehicle on I-90 in January.

“The next thing you know I was hit and rolling,” Josh recalls. “I was thrown into the air and rolled down an embankment. I hit my head against the steering wheel and had to figure out where I was and what happened.”

The driver responsible was later cited by the Washington State Patrol for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment

Despite the confusion and his injuries, Josh knew he needed to call for help and check on the other driver. Miraculously, a few good Samaritans stopped after witnessing the crash and helped him crawl out through a window. Crawling on the roof of his overturned snowplow to access the passenger side window, Josh was able to call 9-1-1. He also alerted our nearby dispatch center of what had just occurred so they could send backup.

Josh's snowplow was flipped upside down after being hit by a suspected drunk driver on I-90. Josh crawled out his narrow passenger window to safety and was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Josh suffered neck and back pain, facial injuries and large bruises on his forehead and nose. He was transported to a nearby hospital in Ellensburg for evaluation. Thankfully, Josh made a full recovery. This crash easily could have ended in tragedy, though, and is a stark reminder of the dangers our crews face. These crashes are totally preventable.

“If those people had not stopped to help me, who knows how long it may have been before I was able to get help,” Josh said.

Josh has worked with our agency for three years. He credits the support of his Ellensburg crew and supervisors for helping him through recovery. He was on medical leave for a short period and recently returned to work. Our agency also offers employee resources like the peer support program which provides a compassionate listening ear to individuals who have been exposed to traumatic events.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Josh has been hit. Another incident occurred on I-82 also by a suspect impaired driver.

Earlier this week, Josh bravely shared his story at our annual Worker Memorial ceremony in Lacey in front of 200 guests, families of our fallen workers and partners in work zone safety.

Josh’s message to drivers is simple: Think about others when you are on the road. Employees in work zones are spouses, parents, children, siblings and friends – and they all deserve to go home safe at the end of their shift. They aren’t nameless or faceless, and they deserve our respect and extra attention.

Most work zone crashes are easily preventable: According to the Washington State Patrol, the top three reasons for work zone collisions in 2025 (in this order) following too closely, excessive speed and inattention/distracted driving.

Josh’s story isn’t an isolated incident. In 2025, there were 1,557 crashes in work zones, a slight decrease from 1,607 crashes in 2024. The largest increase was in fatality collisions, which rose by 29 percent from 2024 to 2025. The overall number was slight – seven in 2024 to nine in 2025 – but even one death or one increase is too many. Every April, our agency dedicates the entire month to spread awareness about the importance of work zone safety.

While we are thankful Josh and his family are doing well, we know this could have been worse. Josh, a husband and father, says his biggest fear is not coming home to his family at the end of his shift. Every driver has a role in keeping highway workers safe.

Please slow down in work zones, put down your phone and never drive impaired. Lives depend on it.

Final pieces coming together on I-90 Sunset Creek fish passage project

By: Casey Conley

Much like a jigsaw puzzle, large-scale construction projects take shape one step at a time. Each interlocking piece builds on the last.

Taking that metaphor a step further, the full picture of the I-90 Sunset Creek fish passage project in Bellevue’s Factoria neighborhood is starting to come together.

Construction began on this multi-step project in early 2023. The expectation was that work would continue into 2027. We’ve reached a lot of milestones during the last three years. There are just a few more to go, and they are planned through 2026.

The most significant achievement so far is the construction of four bridges across Sunset Creek. Our contractor, Guy F. Atkinson Construction, built these new spans along I-90 and Southeast 36th Street.

The fourth and final bridge, constructed along Southeast Eastgate Way, opened to traffic in October 2025.

Final touches

People driving across the new Sunset Creek bridges can be forgiven for thinking the project is mostly complete. After all, the most visible pieces of this puzzle are now in place. But there is plenty of activity happening beneath those new bridges.

Since construction began in early 2023, contractor crews have built four new bridges across Sunset Creek.

Contractor crews are building concrete walls extending up to 50 feet below the freeway. These walls hold the steep hillside in place. The first phase of these walls is done, and work is underway on the remaining walls.

Contractor crews are currently building concrete walls that extend up to 50 feet below the freeway.

Once that’s done, we will remove the maze of culverts that previously carried Sunset Creek beneath nearly a dozen traffic lanes. These culverts prevent fish from swimming upstream.

We’re also planning important upgrades within Sunset Creek itself. Crews will construct a new stream channel running north-south between the bridges. We will place woody debris and other habitat improvements, giving fish a shady place to rest and stay safe from predators.

Then, we will reintroduce the stream into its new, open-air channel. This is one of the final pieces in this project. Depending on weather and other variables, we expect this will happen in early or mid-2027.

More work remains

We designed this project to minimize congestion and delays for people who live or commute along this section of I-90. We’ve had a healthy number of overnight lane and ramp closures over the last three years, but these occurred when traffic volumes were lowest. We’ll continue to have occasional overnight lane and ramp closures throughout the year as work enters the final stages.

Last spring, our environmental crews counted 43 juvenile coho salmon and 16 cutthroat trout in Sunset Creek near Southeast Eastgate Way. 

The eastbound I-90 HOV lane, which closed in spring 2023, will remain that way for much of the year. This closure makes space for crews to move construction material into the stream bed.

We’re planning more work along Southeast Eastgate Way in 2026. Crews began drainage and grading work in late March. We expect weekday single-lane closures on Southeast Eastgate Way near the new bridge to continue through much of 2026.

Improved fish habitat

The Sunset Creek drainage basin covers nearly 850 acres within the city of Bellevue from its source near Eastgate Park. There are chinook, coho, sockeye, steelhead and cutthroat trout in the stream.

Last spring, our environmental crews counted 43 juvenile coho salmon and 16 cutthroat trout in a small section of Sunset Creek north of I-90. The biggest fish was a cutthroat more than five inches long.

By the time we’re done, this project will open 1.65 miles of potential upstream habitat to salmon and resident fish.

More pieces to this puzzle

This project contains fish passage improvements bundled together into a single contract. Bundling work like this saves time and reduces construction costs.

Construction is now complete fish passage improvements along SR 203 south of Carnation, left, and SR 203 in Fall City. 

Later this year, three culverts that block fish passage on SR 161 in Federal Way and Milton will be replaced along tributaries to Hylebos Creek. We expect work in these areas to resume in early summer and wrap up in early fall. This part of the project opens a combined 2.2 miles of potential upstream habitat.

And in 2024 and 2025, we completed fish passages beneath SR 202 in Fall City and SR 203 to the north and south of Carnation. Taken together, these projects in east King County built three new bridge structures and opened a combined 3.4 miles of potential habitat.

Like a good puzzle, this project has taken time for the pieces to come together. But once the work is finished, we believe you’ll like the finished product.

Landslide closes northbound I-5 in Bellingham and a look at the work it takes to reopen the highway

By RB McKeon and David Rasbach

Update: 12 p.m. Wednesday, April 15

Both lanes of northbound Interstate 5 reopened around noon on Wednesday, April 15, south of Bellingham. The reopening came after geotechnical engineers completed a final inspection of the slope.

Northbound I-5 had been closed for nearly four weeks between North Lake Samish Road (exit 246) and State Route 11/Old Fairhaven Parkway (exit 250) after a March 19 landslide. Since then, our specialty contractor crews worked seven days a week under an emergency contract to stabilize the slope and clear debris so the highway could safely reopen.

This was a major effort. Stabilizing a slope after a landslide requires careful, controlled work that cannot be rushed. And this was a big slope – about 250 feet wide and nearly 100 feet tall.

Crews worked from the top of the slope down. They carefully checked every crevice and removed or secured loose rocks by hand before moving to the area below. Plans often changed as new unstable areas were found. Removing debris too soon or working out of order could have caused more slides, created dangerous conditions or led to delays.

All told, our crews, drilled 2,065 linear feet to anchor 96 steel dowels 15 to 25 feet into the rock face. Each dowel was placed according to plans designed by geotechnical engineers to stabilize the slope.

While work continued above, other crews broke apart large boulders at the bottom of the slope. One boulder was larger than a city bus, measuring 57 feet wide, 31 feet tall, and 20 feet deep. The broken pieces were first used to stabilize other large boulders before crews began hauling the material away around the clock. In total, about 7,000 cubic yards of debris were removed—enough to fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Crews also repaired drainage systems damaged in the slide, though the I-5 itself was unharmed.

Northbound I-5 reopened Wednesday, April 15, south of Bellingham after crews stabilized the slope and cleared debris.

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Landslide blocks all northbound lanes of I-5 near Bellingham

Update: 10:15 a.m. Friday, April 10

So, here's the answer we've all been waiting three weeks for – we expect to reopen northbound I-5 by 5 a.m. Thursday, April 16, pending final evaluations by geotechnical engineers.

Northbound I-5 has remained closed between North Lake Samish Road (exit 246) and State Route 11/Old Fairhaven Parkway (exit 250) since a March 19 landslide brought thousands of cubic yards of debris onto the roadway. Since then, our specialty contractor crews have been onsite seven days a week under an emergency contract to stabilize the slope and clear debris so the highway can safely reopen.

This hasn't been a small undertaking. Stabilizing a slope after a landslide is deliberate, highly controlled work that cannot be rushed. Crews work from the top of the slope down, dislodging or securing unstable rock before moving into the area below. Removing debris too soon or working out of sequence could release additional rockfall and make conditions dangerous or result in delays.

Much of this work is done by hand. Crews are scaling loose rock, drilling into the hillside and installing steel dowels 15 to 25 feet deep to anchor the slope, all under the direction of geotechnical engineers. While this progress may feel slow from the outside, each step is intentional. Crews often pause to reassess conditions as new areas of the slope are exposed, ensuring the work is done safely and correctly.

With the closure now entering its fourth week, crews are beginning the final stages of stabilization work. Over the coming days, crews will complete stabilization work. This will include removing a large, loose rock on the north end of the slide that can't be anchored. Out of an abundance of caution, southbound I-5 travelers should expect a rolling slowdown at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 12, while this work is performed.

Crews also will complete debris removal before final inspection and, pending approval, demobilize equipment from the site. If final inspections reveal any areas we must address, the opening of northbound I-5 could be delayed.

One Wednesday, April 8, Crews completely broke up the bus-sized boulder in the middle of the debris field after a March 19 slide closed northbound I-5 south of Bellingham. 

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Update: 11 a.m. Friday, April 3

It's been two weeks since the March 19 slide that closed northbound Interstate 5 south of Bellingham. Though we do not have an estimate when lanes will reopen, our crews have been working seven days a week and will reopen northbound I-5 as quickly as it is safe to do so.

Earlier this week, we wrapped up scaling work on the top of the slope and began drilling holes to anchor 15- to 25-foot-long steel dowels. These dowels are placed in a pattern designed by on-site geotechnical engineers to help stabilize the slope. This work requires geotechs to constantly reassess the slope and adjust plans.

Near the bottom, crews are breaking up the largest boulders, including the "bus-sized" rock in the middle of the slope. On Wednesday, April 1, crews broke off a large section of that boulder using expansive grout and then used an excavator to break it up further. The boulder is so large, we'll have to repeat the process several times.

Geotechs still need to get a good look at what lies beneath the debris pile to develop plans to stabilize the bottom of the slope. Until we are able to do that work, northbound I-5 will remain closed at North Lake Samish Road (exit 246).

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Update: Friday, March 27

The work on northbound I-5 just south of Bellingham is a top down operation, meaning that crews must first stabilize and secure the upper portion of the slope before working their way down. As they do that, the geotechnical engineers on site are continuing to assess conditions and define the full scope of work in real time.

This past week, specialized crews began rock scaling on Wednesday, March 25, removing loose rock and hazard trees that could fall and cause more of the slope to slide. They started on the west side of the slide area and are moving east.

As scaling crews move east, drilling crews will begin setting anchors for their equipment. They expect to start drilling holes for steel dowels that will further stabilize the slope by Sunday, March 29. Crews also began using expanding grout to break boulders Friday, March 27.

Northbound I-5 remains closed, and we do not have an estimated timeline for reopening, but we will continue to provide updates.

Freight traffic should continue to detour using eastbound SR 20, northbound SR 9 and westbound SR 542. All other traffic will be diverted at North Lake Samish Road (exit 246) and is encouraged to consider alternate routes, such as SR 9 or SR 11/Chuckanut Drive. We ask drivers to be patient and follow the speed limits and traffic laws on the roads they are using.

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Original post:

A landslide has closed all lanes of northbound I-5 near Bellingham on, with large rocks, soil and trees across the roadway and an unstable slope.

Around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, two landslides came down onto northbound I-5 near milepost 248, closing all northbound lanes between North Lake Samish Road (milepost 246) and Fairhaven Parkway (milepost 251). The slide brought about 2,000 cubic yards of rock, soil and trees onto the roadway.

Some of the rocks are the size of pickup trucks and several are larger than a metro-bus, tumbling from 60 to 80-feet above and are now unstable and unsupported. The debris stretches about 250-feet along the highway and is up to 65-feet tall in places.

What WSDOT is doing

Heavy machinery used to break apart large rocks along northbound I-5 near Bellingham as crews begin clearing debris from the landslide area.

This is more than clearing debris. It is complex, specialized work and safety is at the core of every decision.

Geotechnical engineers have been on site since shortly after the slide, working to understand what’s happening on the slope, not just what came down on Thursday, but what could still come down.

WSDOT executed an emergency contract on Saturday, March 21, selecting Interwest Construction, Inc. as the contractor to perform the work needed to reopen the freeway.

Here’s what that work looks like:

Assessing the slope: Engineers are evaluating conditions above and behind the visible rock face, including cracks that can’t be seen from the roadway.

Clearing what’s safe: Crews are removing some debris from the bottom of the slide and breaking apart larger rocks so they can be hauled away.

Scaling the slope: Specialty crews using hand tools and compressed air are beginning to remove loose rock from the hillside, working from the top down to reduce risk.

Stabilizing the slope: Crews will shift between scaling and rock bolting – the process of drilling deep into the rock face and securing it to help prevent additional movement.

In some areas, the debris is actually helping to hold unstable rock in place. Removing it too soon could trigger another slide.

Crews are working seven days a week, but some of this work can only happen during daylight hours and under certain weather conditions.

We are moving as quickly and safely as we can to return the freeway to normal operations.

Why is the road still closed?

We know one of the biggest questions is: Why can’t you clear road and reopen at least one lane? Right now, it is not safe to do that. There is still unstable rock above the roadway that is unsupported and could fall. Crews are actively working on the slope, and we cannot have traffic moving through an active work zone where rocks could come down. Also, some of the debris that is remaining on the road is acting as a buffer, helping to protect the road surface and prevent additional damage.

Until we understand and stabilize what’s above the highway, reopening, even partially, is not possible. We do not have an estimated timeline for reopening.

What travelers need to know

Northbound I-5 remains fully closed between North Lake Samish Road (milepost 246) and Fairhaven Parkway (milepost 251). Southbound I-5 is open and unaffected by this slide.

Detours and alternate routes are available:

• SR 9 is the preferred route for freight
• SR 11/Chuckanut Drive is available for passenger vehicles but not suitable for freight.
• NB I-5 is being pushed off at exit 246 North Lake Samish

When a major highway like I-5 closes unexpectedly, drivers often follow directions from navigation apps, even onto roads that are not intended to handle that volume or type of traffic.

Traveler resources

• Visit the WSDOT travel map for real-time travel and traffic conditions
• Follow along on social media: X, BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok
• Sign up for email alerts
• Project page: Northbound I-5 Bellingham Slide – Emergency
• Project photos: Northbound I-5 slide near Bellingham
• Plan your route:
• SR 9 is the preferred route for freight
• SR 11/Chuckanut Drive is available for passenger vehicles
• As a reminder, WSDOT does not control third-party apps like Google, Waze or Apple.

Why this area is prone to slides and what we do to reduce risk

layers of soil and rock are visible on the exposed slop above northbound I-5 near Bellingham, where geotechnical engineers are assessing stability following the landslide.

This stretch of I-5 runs along a steep hillside made up of layered soils, rock and glacial material. In places, those layers can hold water and shift over time, especially during periods of sustained wet weather.

That combination of steep slopes, complex geology and moisture means this area is naturally prone to landslides.

Our maintenance crews regularly:

• Remove hazard trees and manage vegetation
• Clear drainage systems to move water away from slopes
• Inspect and maintain areas with a history of movement
• Install features like catchment areas or barriers designed to capture smaller debris before it reaches the roadway

You can see some of that work along I-5, including barriers meant to catch smaller rocks and debris. Large-scale slides like this, where significant amounts of material come down from higher on the slope, are much harder to predict and prevent. That’s especially true when there is movement happening above the visible rock face.

That’s why the work happening now is focused not just on clearing what came down but understanding and stabilizing what remains above the highway.