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.