The travelers’ end of summer assignment: Know before you go this Labor Day Weekend

For most, the first day of school is a few days off. But doing a bit of homework this week could make your travel on the last few days of summer just a bit more enjoyable.

WSDOT offers many ways to know before you go this Labor Day weekend. You can find them on our Web site, www.wsdot.wa.gov, and the 24-hour traveler information line, 5-1-1

WSDOT posted the times drivers are likely to see higher-than average summertime traveler delays during the Labor Day weekend on US 2, I-90, I-5 at the Canadian Border and I-5 south of Olympia through Lewis County at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Congestion/LaborDay/2009/. Please remember, traffic incidents or adverse weather can result in traffic congestion outside the hours shown.

Work at most construction project sites around the state will move off the highway from noon Friday until Tuesday morning. Drivers should be prepared for shifted lanes, roadway detours and reduced speed zones in places.

The following are additional areas where motorists may encounter delays over the holiday weekend:

Washington State Ferries

The WSDOT Ferries Division reminds travelers to allow extra time for ferry travel over the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend. The longest backups are expected to occur Friday afternoon and evening, Sept. 4; Sunday afternoon and evening, Sept. 6; and Monday morning, Sept. 7. Waits and advance arrival recommendations vary by route. Travelers needing specific information can check the Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.

Olympic Peninsula:

Olympic Peninsula travelers can expect short delays on SR 106, three miles east of US 101 in Mason County, for a culvert replacement project. A signal directs one-way, alternating traffic 24 hours a day around the construction zone on a temporary bypass road until October. The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph. Work continues over the holiday weekend.
Southwest Washington:

There is a single-lane closure on southbound I-5 between Castle Rock and Kelso (milepost 46).
A temporary traffic signal will be operating throughout the weekend on SR 4 near Skamokawa (mp 42).

Eastern Washington:

On Thursday, Sept. 3, crews will be working overnight in both direction of I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass. They will be off the roadway by 6 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 4.
The US 97 Beebe Bridge over the Columbia River at Chelan Falls will remain closed through the Labor Day Holiday. The bridge averages nearly 5,000 vehicles per day and that traffic is being detoured onto US 97A through Chelan and along the west side of the Columbia River to Wenatchee. That doubles the usual traffic on the route and could lead to delays during the high volume holiday weekend travel hours. To keep drivers safe and traffic moving on the detour route, a WSDOT Incident Response Team truck will be working the US 97A corridor from Wenatchee to Chelan from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday through Monday.
The speed limit on 10-mile stretch 2/97 north of East Wenatchee to Orondo is reduced from 60 mph to 50 mph.
One mile of the truck climbing lane is closed on the south side of US 97 Blewett Pass near Bonanza Campground.
There is a 35 mph speed limit on the SR 285 George Sellar Bridge between Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. The bridge is also closed to pedestrians.
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 http://www.amtrakcascades.com/ or call 1-800-USA-RAIL for more information.
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


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 for more information.