One step closer to new ferries

By Kurt Workman

In July, after a yearlong process, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Eastern Shipbuilding Group will build our three new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries. ESG’s price was tens of millions of dollars lower than the other bid we received. That lower cost means we can build three boats instead of only two. Their bid also includes delivery of the ferries to Washington.

Drawing of outboard profile for WSF 160-vehicle ferry. These new vessels will have open air passenger lounges beneath each pilot house, three modes of operation: diesel, battery only, or hybrid, and a rapid charging system so that battery charging can occur during each scheduled terminal stop.

Our ferries work hard

We operate the largest ferry system in the country, with a 21-ferry fleet serving 10 routes and about 19 million passengers a year. Hard-working ferries and crews serve customers more than 20 hours per day, 365 days per year. Our ferries are on average 35 years old and have an expected 60-year life span. Five of our ferries are over 50, and the oldest is 66.

For riders, older vessels mean a higher chance of service disruptions. They also mean more maintenance issues for us. These new ferries are a key part of our Long Range Plan ’s direction to have 26 vessels in the WSF fleet by 2040.

Next steps

On August 7, we finalized the contract with ESG, and now they can get to work completing the design of the new ferries and developing a detailed project schedule. At the same time, Washington State Ferries will work with our partner ABB to design and purchase the technology that will power the new vessels, including the engines and batteries. This should take about a year, then construction begins. 

Big picture

We’re offering incentives to the shipyard to deliver vessels ahead of schedule and the first 160-vehicle ferry could be in service as early as 2030. These ferries will allow us to replace aging ferries and deliver improved service. They are also a key part of our System Electrification Program to deliver 16 new, hybrid-electric ferries by 2040.

In addition to new ferries, we will add electric charging to 16 terminals. We are currently working on terminals in central Puget Sound, including two slips in Seattle. Hybrid-electric ferries will charge their batteries while loading at terminals. This will allow the new 160-vehicle hybrid-electric ferries to reduce emissions by about 90 percent compared to our current ferries. The new ferries will primarily operate under electric power, but, when necessary, they can use their diesel engines.

Washington State Ferries is proud of the path we’re on to build our ferry fleet of the future. Stay tuned for more updates!

Tolling begins on the SR 509 Expressway this fall: Prepare now by opening a Good To Go! account and grabbing a free Sticker Pass

By Lauren McLaughlin

We’re all excited about our newest roadway, the State Route 509 Expressway in SeaTac, but did you know that the toll road will be free to use through the summer? That will give you a chance to check it out and learn if it’ll work for your travels.

A new tolled route in south King County

The SR 509 Completion Project builds 3 miles of new tolled highway between Interstate 5 and South 188th Street near the south end of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Though only the first mile of the road, between I-5 and 24th Avenue South is open now, the rest of the project is on track to be completed in 2028.

But the newly built expressway will be tolled this fall, so make sure you take a chance to check it out before then to see if it works for you.

If you do plan to use the road, then you should also take the next couple months to prepare for when tolling begins.

How tolling will work on the SR 509 Expressway

Tolls will be charged on both directions of the new road, near the I-5 on- and off-ramps. The tolls will vary by time of day and range between $1.20 and $2.40 for drivers of two-axle vehicles, like a sedan or SUV, with a Good To Go! pass. Drivers of vehicles such as semi-trucks, vehicles towing a trailer and large buses will pay more based on the vehicle’s number of axles.

There won’t be any toll booths, you just drive through without stopping and we’ll charge a toll to your account or mail a bill to the vehicle’s registered owner after the trip.

Only the new portion of SR 509 will be tolled, all the roads you’re already familiar with will continue to be open and free to use.

There are also no HOV lanes on the expressway, so there will be no options for toll-free carpooling.

Make sure you’re prepared before tolling begins this fall

Using a Good To Go! account is the best way to pay tolls in Washington. Good To Go! accounts are free to open, save you money on every toll and give you the convenience of automatic payments.

Good To Go! works on every toll road in Washington, and you won’t have to worry about getting a bill in the mail.

Save time and money with a Good To Go! account

Though you don’t need to have a Good To Go! account and pass to use the new road there are definitely some benefits of getting Good To Go!.

• Save money. Drivers with a Good To Go! pass save $2 on every trip compared to paying by mail.
• It’s free. There are no monthly fees, and you are not required to pay tolls in advance. Buying a Good To Go! pass is recommended, but not required, to save money.
• Convenience. Choose an automatic payment option that works best for you, so you don’t have to worry about bills in the mail.

Chance to get a free Good To Go! sticker pass

While there are plenty of people in the area already very familiar with tolling, we know there are some who haven’t used a toll road before. To make it an easier transition, we will be giving out some free Good To Go!sticker passes to people who will be using the roadway.

To get a free sticker pass check GoodToGo509.com for a promo code that you can use when creating an account or ordering a pass through your account on MyGoodToGo.com.

There are four different kinds of Good To Go! passes, and all will work to pay tolls on every toll road in Washington, you just need to pick the pass that works best for how you travel and which roads you use.

If all you’re doing is using the SR 509 Expressway or traveling alone then the sticker pass is all you’ll need.

But if you do use I-405 or SR 167 and plan to carpool, then you will want to have a Flex Pass instead. The Flex Pass is the only pass that will allow you to mark your trip as a toll-free carpool.

So, make sure you’re getting the right pass for your situation!

While you don’t need to use a Good To Go! pass, drivers with a Good To Go! account but no pass in their vehicle will pay an additional 25 cents on each trip. There’s definitely savings to be had, so be sure to grab a free pass while supplies last.

How small state airports are big heroes in Washington’s emergencies

By Christina Crea

When you think of a state airport, you might picture a quiet airstrip tucked into the forest or nestled between mountains. Or maybe a spot for hobby pilots or summer sightseeing. But in Washington, these modest runways are proving they can do much more.

Our state airports are stepping up as unsung heroes. From wildfires to high-stakes law enforcement, rural airports deliver during critical moments.

When wildfires rage, rural airports take flight

Every summer, wildfires sweep across Washington’s forests. These fires threaten homes, wildlife and entire communities. Huge planes and firefighting crews get the headlines. But it's often small, rural, out-of-the-way airports that quietly make those missions possible.

For example, Lake Wenatchee State Airport is closed now, but not for repairs or upgrades. Instead, it’s serving as a front-line hub for the Pomas Fire Response. (This fire is active in the Entiat area near Wenatchee.)

View of the Lake Wenatchee State Airport established as incident heli-base operations to fight the Pomas Fire in the Entiat area near Wenatchee.  

The fire started on June 13 after a lightning strike in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. It’s burning in steep, rugged terrain that’s hard to reach, making direct attack difficult. Because of this, the fire has been active for several weeks. It’s become one of the more persistent and challenging wildfires of this season. With rough terrain, changing weather, and dry fuels, the fire is a top priority for containment. Firefighting teams continue to face tough conditions, testing their resilience and coordination. In response, federal firefighting partners have set up a heli-base at Lake Wenatchee State Airport. The base is now hosting helicopters, equipment, and a large number of personnel.

Using this airport helps get resources quickly into remote, rugged areas of the fire zone. That helps slow the fire’s spread and protect nearby communities and natural resources. The airport also provides key support like refueling, maintenance, and a place for crews to gather. Its location close to the fire line means air crews can respond faster. This means ground crews get better support as they fight the fire from multiple directions.

The response to the Pomas Fire highlights how wildfires in Washington are becoming more intense and lasting longer. Local, state, and federal agencies are working together to contain the fire and reduce its impact.

The use of Lake Wenatchee State Airport shows how state-owned infrastructure plays a vital role in national wildfire efforts.

Air tankers, helicopters, and emergency teams can launch from remote strips. This can cut precious minutes off response times and help stop fires in their tracks.

Firefighting helicopter at Deer Park Municipal airport helping fight fires in surrounding areas.

These state airports are more than just runways. They’re also staging areas for emergency supplies, equipment, and personnel. Being near remote fire zones makes them ideal for quick response. During wildfire season, some may be closed for weeks or even months to support firefighting efforts.

We maintain six airports specifically equipped for this kind of emergency work:

• Methow Valley State
• Stehekin State
• Lake Wenatchee State
• Bandera State
• Easton State
• Tieton State

Together, they form a crucial backbone of the state’s wildfire defense strategy.

A quiet airstrip becomes a tactical command center

However, wildfire support isn’t the only way these airports shine.

In early June, a major law enforcement response turned Skykomish State Airport into a fully operational command post. The transformation was almost overnight.

The King County Sheriff’s Office turned the airfield into a launch pad for helicopters. It also served as a hub for SWAT and tactical units, and a base for mobile command centers. This was all in response to an ongoing investigation in the Cascade foothills.

Helicopter flying over Skykomish State Airport while it was an operational command post for major law enforcement response.

“Skykomish gave us everything we needed in a remote setting—flat ground, forest access, and room to coordinate air and ground teams,” said one operations supervisor.

Their makeshift emergency base included:

• Three helicopters on 24/7 aerial patrol
• Mobile communications and tactical gear
• Search teams navigating rugged mountain terrain
• Supply stations and temporary shelter for crews in the field

Because it’s just off Highway 2 and near federal forest land, the airport became an ideal hub as the wildfire response grew.

Whether it’s fighting flames or coordinating crews, location and access are critical. These small airports are proving to be powerful tools when Washington faces challenges.

So next time you drive past a quiet rural airstrip, remember - what looks like an empty runway today…could be tomorrow’s emergency lifeline.

Want to learn how WSDOT Aviation supports Washington?

Visit https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation to see how these vital airports are keeping our communities safe - one airstrip at a time.

Righting the wrong way: New technology helps detect wrong-way driving

 By Sarah Hannon-Nein

The glare of headlights flash into your windshield. You can’t see and your senses are confused as another vehicle comes toward you. It’s the last thing any driver expects. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think. There have been thousands of wrong-way driving incidents in Washington in the last few years.

Statistics heading in the wrong direction

Fatalities from wrong-way driving account for about 4% of all traffic deaths in the U.S. (NASEM, 2023). That’s data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. From 2004 to 2025, the rate in Washington state and Maine was 8%. That’s twice the national average.

In recent years, from 2020 to 2025, the Washington State Patrol responded to:

• 57 fatal wrong-way crashes

• 441 incidents involving direct contact with wrong-way drivers

• Over 8,300 reports of vehicles driving the wrong way

In 2014, there were seven wrong-way fatalities in Washington. In 2023, there were 28. That’s nearly a 300% increase in less than 10 years.

The right way forward

With these numbers rising, we’re trying a new way to alert and stop drivers before a wrong move becomes a worst-case situation.

Enter the wrong-way detection system. This tool uses a mix of sensors and cameras to detect vehicles entering ramps or lanes in the wrong direction. When this happens, flashing lights on signs alert wrong-way drivers in real-time, allowing them to fix their mistake. At the same time, the system alerts our traffic management center. Staff at the center can then notify other drivers and law enforcement.

A traffic management center is where traffic engineers and support staff watch roads using cameras and sensors. But with nearly a thousand cameras statewide, they can’t watch every ramp at every moment. The wrong-way detection system can. It sends immediate alerts, allowing them to spot wrong-way drivers sooner and respond faster.

Many of our highways were built decades ago. They weren’t designed for today’s traffic volumes or driving challenges. Updating them takes time and funding, so we're using new technology to help bridge the gap.

Time for a turnaround

The Legislature directed our agency to find the best places to use strategies to prevent wrong-way driving. They asked us to evaluate and identify geographical locations in both urban and rural highway settings. We’re approaching this in two ways:

• Installing new technology that can detect, deter and automatically alert traffic management teams when a wrong-way driver is on the road.
• Implementing low-cost safety upgrades, such as clearer signs and improved pavement markings. With $2 million in statewide funding, we’re working to make our roads safer, before more lives are lost.

We have installed wrong-way detection systems along highway on-ramps at 10 locations. We picked these locations by looking at crash data. We also had input from the Washington State Patrol and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. These include:

• Four systems on State Route 18 in King County.
• Two systems on Interstate 5 in Thurston County.
• Three systems on I-5 and one at the I-5 and SR 14 interchange in Clark County.

We’ve also:

• Upgraded pavement markings at 108 locations

• Installed more than 1,000 new signs

We’re doing our part to make roads safer, but real safety starts with smart choices behind the wheel. Most wrong-way collisions involve impaired drivers, and we need everyone to do their part. Stay alert. Drive sober. Help us reduce that 8%.