Prepared, set, highway journey: WSDOT presents Labor Day weekend journey instruments and ideas

Plan forward for vacation weekend congestion Sept. 4-7

OLYMPIA – Labor Day weekend will convey plenty of journey and congestion to state highways, waterways, at state airports and alongside pedestrian trails.

The Washington State Department of Transportation urges vacationers to plan forward, keep alert and provides themselves further time to get to their locations. WSDOT has Labor Day weekend journey charts to assist individuals beat the push in addition to different instruments and tricks to make all sorts of journey simpler. 

The charts spotlight the perfect and worst occasions to journey on key state highways most vulnerable to vacation congestion, together with: 

• US 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass
• Interstate 90 between North Bend and Cle Elum
• I-5 between Lacey and Tacoma
• I-5 between Bellingham and the Canadian border

Whether touring throughout city or throughout the state, WSDOT encourages vacationers to “know before you go” by following the following pointers: 

• Get knowledgeable about WSDOT’s on-line instruments, together with the WSDOT cell app, traffic cameras and email alerts.
• Visit online traveler information for visitors, climate, ferry schedules and a real-time travel map.
• Follow WSDOT on social media together with Facebook, Instagram, TikTookay, YouTube, Bluesky and X.
• Identify potential security relaxation areas earlier than heading out, to make sure sufficient breaks to keep away from drowsy driving.
• Have a backup outside vacation spot in thoughts, as parks and different outside recreation websites are likely to replenish rapidly on vacation weekends. If a web site’s parking zone is full, by no means park alongside highway shoulders – that is unsafe for everybody on the roadway, together with emergency responders.

Most freeway building paused 
Most freeway building will pause to assist ease congestion beginning Friday, Sept. 4, however delays are nonetheless doubtless – particularly in fashionable areas or because of crashes or wildfires. The Revive I-5 work zone over the Ship Canal Bridge remains in place. 

Stay alert to fire danger
Fire danger remains high across the state. If traveling near active wildfires, stay alert and up to date on closures as winds can shift quickly. These tips can help prevent roadside fires: 

• Never throw a lit cigarette or any other flammable material out of vehicle windows.
• Keep towing chains from dragging on pavement to avoid sparks.
• Do not park on dry grass, the heat from exhaust systems can spark a brush fire.
• If a brush fire is spotted with no emergency crews around, be sure to alert authorities – do not assume someone else has called it in.
• Always call 911 for real-time emergencies, as opposed to notifying WSDOT or the Washington State Patrol via social media or email.

Ferry travel
Washington State Ferry routes also are expected to be busy. Reservations are strongly encouraged on routes that offer them. People boarding a ferry by vehicle can likely expect the busiest sailings and longer wait times to be westbound (or onto an island) Thursday and Friday, Sept. 3-4 and eastbound (or departing an island) Sunday and Monday, Sept. 6-7. Walk-on passengers can bypass vehicle lines and usually board much faster. Other helpful tips to consider:

Vantage Bridge
To help accommodate increased travel during the holiday weekend, all lanes of I-90 across the Vantage Bridge will be open Friday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 7. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, the bridge will return to one lane in each direction around the clock through Monday, Nov. 2, when construction pauses for winter. This project is part of a long-term effort to replace the deteriorating bridge deck and is expected to be complete by fall 2028.

Tolling
In the Puget Sound region, weekend toll rates will be in effect beginning Monday, Sept. 7 on the SR 520 bridge, SR 99 tunnel and SR 509 Expressway. The I-405 and SR 167 express toll lanes will be free and open to all drivers Monday, Sept. 7. Out-of-town travelers, including those using rental cars, can learn about toll roads and temporary account payment options on the Good To Go! visitors page. 

Trains, airports and transit
Travelers making a visit by practice, private plane or bus additionally ought to plan forward to keep away from vacation delays:

• Amtrak Cascades passengers are inspired to buy tickets early and plan to reach on the station no less than one hour earlier than departure. Trains run between Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene, Oregon, stopping at 18 stations alongside the way in which. Buses additionally can be found for journey between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia and between Seattle and Bellingham. Visit www.AmtrakCascades.com or name 800-USA-RAIL for tickets and schedules.
• For details about touring through state-sponsored airports, go to WSDOT’s airport record or name 360-618-2477.
• Check with native public transit companies for any vacation schedule or service modifications, together with some Dial-A-Ride and fixed-route service that will not run on holidays.