Travelers should expect traffic delays over the busy Labor Day weekend.
Labor Day weekend travel will bring more congestion to state highways and waterways. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will pause most highway construction this weekend to ease congestion, but they said delays are still likely in popular areas due to crashes and wildfires.
“We urge you to plan ahead, stay alert and give yourselves extra time to get where you’re going,” according to WSDOT.
WSDOT predicts many of the key state highways most prone to congestion, including US 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass, I-90 between North Bend and Cle Elum, I-5 between Lacey and Tacoma and I-5 between Bellingham and the Canadian border, will be busiest from 9 a.m. to early afternoon. WSDOT has travel charts predicting heavy traffic times on its website of these segments.
The Revive I-5 project over Ship Canal Bridge will remain in place and reduce the bridge to two lanes.The Harvard Avenue on-ramp to northbound I-5 is closed until mid-October. The express lanes are only operating on the northbound side.
Washington State Ferries expect approximately 400,000 people to board the ferries this weekend to cap the busiest summer for the ferries since 2019. Saturday, Sept. 5 is expected to be the busiest day. WSDOT recommends people boarding a vessel in a vehicle to use the the WSDOT mobile app or visit the WSF website before heading to the terminal for the WSDOT mobile app or visit the WSF website before heading to the terminal.
“Prepare for long lines and extended wait times,” WSDOT said. “To reduce or eliminate waiting, riders should consider taking early-morning or late-night sailings or using transit to walk or bike onto the ferry if possible.”
WSDOT urges drivers to prevent roadside fires by not throwing lit cigarettes out the window, not allowing towing chains to drag and produce sparks, or parking on dry grass with hot exhaust systems. They said to alert authorities of brush fires with no emergency crews around by calling 911.
“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,” according to WSDOT.
