roads Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Collision on northbound I-5 causes massive back-ups

By Lauren Gallup July 19, 2023

A crane had to be used to life the semi-truck, which was heavy with cargo. // Credit: WSDOT Tacoma, @wsdot_tacoma on Twitter

A major collision on northbound Interstate 5 Wednesday morning caused day-long backups across much of Thurston County. The incident, between a semi-truck and passenger vehicle, closed all but one of the northbound lanes just past the exit to Mounts Road in DuPont, as crews worked to investigate the collision and then clear the debris and vehicles. Read More

Slow down, people! Surge in traffic deaths continues in West Coast states

By Tom Banse December 7, 2022

Crash fatalities on the roads surged during the pandemic and have hardly slowed as traffic volumes and congestion returned.

While many of the disruptions of the pandemic have eased this year, the surge in traffic fatalities is showing few signs of abating. Policymakers are trying a number of tactics to respond.Read More

Some freeways may be useable following ‘the Big One’ per new modeling by UW

By Tom Banse December 5, 2022

WSDOT contractors seismically retrofitted a bridge at the I-405/I-5 interchange in Tukwila, Washington, in 2019.

New modeling by the University of Washington of the impacts of a major Cascadia earthquake offers a less dire picture of the aftermath of the so-called "Big One" — specifically when it comes to highway bridges.Read More

Take Your Horse (And Bike) To The Old Moscow-Pullman Town Road To See The Changes

By Nicholas Deshais July 10, 2020

Pullman's downtown one-way traffic was previously three lanes. A recent test added angle parking and a protected bike lane to study traffic flow and pedestrian use. CREDIT: WSDOT

The coronavirus pandemic has brought many changes to how our lives are lived, from working at home to the now-ubiquitous masks. Now roads are changing, too.Read More

Road Ahead May Charge Drivers By The Mile, But Change Rolls Out Slowly On Northwest Roads

By Tom Banse December 17, 2019

The Washington State Transportation Commission recommended implementing a pay-per-mile road charge at a meeting Tuesday, Dec. 17. CREDIT: WSDOT

The panel that sets highway and bridge tolls in Washington is recommending the state follow Oregon's lead and phase in a pay-by-the-mile road tax to make up for expected declines in gas tax revenue. The nonbinding recommendation to the Washington Legislature from the state Transportation Commission drew flak from skeptical taxpayers and faces a bumpy road ahead in the 2020 Read More

I-976, Washington’s $30 Car Tabs Measure From Tim Eyman, Passing As Of Tuesday Night

By NWPB News November 5, 2019

Professional initiative sponsor Tim Eyman, right, holds a photo from his first successful $30 car tabs initiative in 1999. Eyman says he has collected almost enough signatures to qualify a 2019 car tabs rollback initiative to the 2019 Legislature. CREDIT: AUSTIN JENKINS/N3

Sponsored by Tim Eyman, the measure would cap most taxes paid through annual vehicle registration at $30 and largely revoke the authority of state and local governments to add new taxes and fees without voter approval.Read More