Drivers should prepare for Memorial Day weekend travel

While the active roadway work will take a three-day break, drivers should prepare for added travel time over the traditional summer travel kickoff weekend.

While the active roadway work will take a three-day break, drivers should prepare for added travel time over the traditional summer travel kickoff weekend.

Work at most construction projects around the state will move off the highway from noon Friday until Tuesday morning – May 28-June 1. Although there might not be any active construction over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, drivers should prepare for shifted lanes, roadway detours and reduced speed zones in places.

WSDOT has listed on its website the times and places drivers may likely see weekend delays: US 2, I-90, I-5 at the Canadian Border and I-5 south of Olympia through Lewis County: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Congestion/MemorialDay/default.htm.

Drivers should expect longer-than typical wait times at ferry docks and Canadian border crossings most of the holiday weekend. Travel times are significantly lighter Wednesday and Thursday morning and on Tuesday.

Drivers also should expect additional traffic on US 2 Stevens Pass and I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass, primarily on Friday and Monday. Monday is the busiest day of westbound US 2 travel each year. Drivers on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass can expect higher-than-normal traffic volumes Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and Monday afternoon.

Travel on Puget Sound highways will increase Thursday, with peak travel times from noon to 9 p.m. Friday and early Saturday. Monday afternoon travel back into the Puget Sound area will peak just before noon and continue into late evening hours.

WSDOT offers many ways to know before you go, including our website, www.wsdot.wa.gov, and the 24-hour traveler information line, 5-1-1. The following are additional areas where motorists may encounter delays over the holiday weekend:

Washington state ferries

• WSF is expecting heavy traffic for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, which is traditionally the beginning of summer crowds for the ferry system. Ferry riders should consider traveling outside of peak times to avoid the longest waits at the terminals. Customers should be prepared for waits of two to three hours or more heading westbound on Thursday afternoon and Friday, and eastbound on Monday. Holiday schedules and other ferry information can be found at Washington State Ferries’ Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries, or by calling toll-free at 1-888-808-7977.

Trains

• Amtrak Cascades is very popular on holiday weekends. Travelers are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and arrive early at the station for departure. Visit www.amtrakcascades.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL for more information.

Mountain passes

• Chinook Pass remains closed from the junction with SR 123 Cayuse Pass (milepost 65.8), to near Morse Creek (milepost 74.5). The goal is to open on May 28, for the Memorial Day weekend. Check the Chinook Pass Web site www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/chinook/ throughout the week for information on opening.

• SR 123 Cayuse re-opened April 30.

• SR 20/North Cascades Highway re-opened April 16.

• SR 504/The Spirit Lake Highway re-opened May 15.

Aviation

• The 16 state-operated airports are open for the season. To check the status of state-operated airports, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/airports/Amenities.htm or call 1-800-552-0666. WSDOT Aviation encourages pilots to check with their local Flight Service Station for current Notices to Airmen and temporary flight restriction status before each flight. To contact the Flight Service Station, please call 1-800-WX-BRIEF. Temporary flight restriction information is available at: airspace.nifc.gov/mapping/nifc/index.cfm

Buses</strong

• Most public transit systems will follow a holiday schedule and some transit systems will not operate fixed route or Dial-A-Ride service on Memorial Day. Check with your local transit agency at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/choices/bus.cfm for more information.

Know before you go:</strong

• 511 – This driver information phone line provides current traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388. Out-of-state callers can access the information at call 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).

• On WSDOT’s travel Web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic, drivers can see information such as camera images from across the state, the Washington State Ferry schedule and a map shows highway incidents and closures.

• Go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/inform to see how WSDOT is using new tools to provide traveler information on social media (Twitter, Facebook) and for mobile devices. You can also sign up for specialized e-mail alerts.

On the road:

• Overhead and roadside electronic signs

• Highway advisory radio – WSDOT advises drivers to program 530 AM and 1610 AM on your radio.