I-90 tolling plan draws local concerns
February 26, 2013
The city of Issaquah may not have an official stance on Interstate 90 tolling yet, but some of its citizens do.
In a letter to the state’s Department of Transportation, Issaquah’s mayor and City Council wrote that the city would not say whether or not Interstate 90 should be tolled until after the DOT is done with an environmental assessment. However, the city does have ideas about what should happen if tolls go in.
By Greg Farrar
Picket signs posted on the eastbound off-ramp shoulder of Interstate 90 at Front Street North proclaim an opposition group’s stand against tolls on the federal highway to pay for replacement of the state Route 520 Evergreen Point floating bridge across Lake Washington.
“There should be equity for all users of the I-90 corridor,” the letter read. “There should not be populations that are exempted from tolling, thereby receiving public benefit at no cost to them.”
“The city is in opposition to the tolling of off-ramps and on-ramps in the city of Issaquah, specifically exit 13, exit 15, exit 17 and exit 18. It would be inequitable to toll these ramps unless every ingress or egress from an interstate was tolled across the state.”
What’s your opinion about Interstate 90 tolling?
February 14, 2013
The Washington State Department of Transportation is preparing an environmental assessment that will evaluate the effects of tolling Interstate 90 between Seattle and Bellevue.
WSDOT’s public comment period ends Feb. 22. Comments can be submitted directly to WSDOT online www.wsdot.wa.gov/Tolling/I90/HowtoComment.htm.
State accepts comments on Interstate 90 tolling proposal
January 29, 2013
The state Department of Transportation is evaluating potential impacts of tolling Interstate 90, and the public can comment on the proposal.
The agency is considering a proposal to toll the highway on the seven-mile stretch between Interstate 5 in Seattle and Interstate 405 in Bellevue.
Public can comment on Interstate 90 tolling proposal
January 28, 2013
NEW — 2 p.m. Jan. 28, 2013
The state Department of Transportation is evaluating potential impacts of tolling Interstate 90, and the public can comment on the proposal.
The agency is considering a proposal to toll the highway on the seven-mile stretch between Interstate 5 in Seattle and Interstate 405 in Bellevue.
The state is at work on a $4.1 billion project to replace the 49-year-old floating state Route 520 bridge across Lake Washington and overhaul the 12.8-mile corridor between I-5 in Seattle and state Route 202 in Redmond.
The floating bridge is scheduled to open in traffic by early 2015.
State hosts meetings on Interstate 90 tolling proposal
January 15, 2013
The state Department of Transportation is evaluating potential impacts of tolling Interstate 90, and the public can learn more about the proposal at a series of meetings on the Eastside and in Seattle.
Crews prepare for wintry conditions as mercury drops
January 10, 2013
NEW — 6 p.m. Jan. 10, 2013
Issaquah, King County and state road crews prepared for snow Thursday, as forecasters urged caution on roads, and rain threatened to turn to snow and create icy morning commutes Friday.
The city placed public works crews on standby Thursday to prepare for possible road hazards related to the winter weather.
King County prepared for a beefed-up response to ice and snow. Overnight, ice buildup on already-damp roadways is a concern for road crews.
The county put extra crews on the road for response, and as many as 12 trucks could remain on duty throughout the night. In addition to anti-icing operations, crews sand roads and plow slush or snow as necessary.
City Council questions Interstate 90 tolling proposal
January 1, 2013
The prospect of tolling on Interstate 90 received a cool reception from the City Council, as state officials consider the idea as a way to generate dollars for the state Route 520 bridge replacement project.
The state Department of Transportation is at work on a $4.1 billion project to replace the 49-year-old floating bridge across Lake Washington and overhaul the 12.8-mile corridor between Interstate 5 in Seattle and state Route 202 in Redmond. The floating bridge is scheduled to open in traffic by early 2015.
State planners offer tools to ease holiday travel headaches
December 26, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 26, 2012
The state Department of Transportation delivered gifts to holiday travelers — tips to avoid travel-related headaches.
The agency offers numerous travel information tools for motorists headed out between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Travelers planning to hit state highways can find information on the Department of Transportation website about the times and places drivers can expect to experience holiday weekend delays, including U.S. 2, Interstate 90, and Interstate 5 at the Canadian border, and between Olympia and Tacoma.
Snow causes few disruptions for Issaquah residents
December 25, 2012
Snow crept into forecasts in recent days, but aside from a dusting in higher-elevation neighborhoods and a delay for Issaquah School District students, winter weather did not cause significant disruptions in the area.
In response to slushy conditions on roads and some snowfall overnight, school district administrators delayed the start of school two hours Dec. 18. The day before, as forecasters issued a winter weather advisory for Western Washington, Issaquah and King County road crews prepared for snow.
Issaquah, King County road crews start snow watch as mercury dips
December 17, 2012
NEW — 10 p.m. Dec. 17, 2012
Issaquah and King County road crews prepared for the possibility of snow late Monday, as forecasters issued a winter weather advisory for Western Washington.
Meteorologists said conditions exist for lowland snow showers overnight as temperatures drop into the low 30s and snow levels sink to only a few hundred feet above sea level. The chance of snow is expected to decrease Tuesday morning as temperatures increase into the upper 30s and low 40s.
National Weather Service meteorologists in Seattle said snow showers could occur overnight in Issaquah. Snow accumulation of less than 1 inch is possible. The chance of precipitation is 70 percent.
Snow is possible before 10 a.m. Tuesday, followed by a chance of rain between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The snow level is expected to reach 400 feet. Snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
