Transportation

Inslee: Temporary I-5 Bridge Is State’s Top Priority

Derek Wang and Carol Smith — Mon, 27 May 2013 13:06:23 +0000

Washington state’s top priority is fixing the section of the I-5 bridge that collapsed into the Skagit River last week. That’s according to Governor Jay Inslee. Inslee announced plans Sunday that could lead to a temporary replacement by mid June. And a permanent fix in September. Reporter Derek Wang has more.

Severe Landslides In Washington Could Be Signs Of Times Ahead

Ashley Ahearn — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:10:14 +0000

A massive landslide that pushed 200,000 cubic yards of earth down the west side of Whidbey Island grabbed national headlines in March. Landslides have also caused numerous delays in passenger and freight rail along Puget Sound.

Rock Doc: The Bridge Fuel

Kirsten Peters — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 00:02:04 +0000

TSA Will Lift Ban Of Small Knives, Whiffle Ball Bats Aboard Planes

Brian Naylor — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:07:00 +0000

The TSA is whittling down the list of objects air travelers are forbidden to carry on board and says small pocket knives will soon be allowed on commercial flights.

But thats not all! According to the TSA, travelers will also be able to take on board golf clubs (a maximum of two), hockey sticks, and wiffle ball bats. Yes, wiffle ball bats.

Anti-Tax Activist Tim Eyman Blasts Car Tab Proposals In Olympia

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:33:40 +0000

He is synonymous with keeping Washington car tabs at $30. Now anti-tax initiative sponsor Tim Eyman is fired up again. He testified in Olympia Monday against a series of proposals to allow local transportation districts to impose higher vehicle fees. Eyman says even Seattle voters have demonstrated a scorn for car tab hikes.

Self-Driving Cars Can't Be Driverless Under Proposed State Laws

Tom Banse — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:33:23 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. - What if you could just start your car, tell it where you want to go and then sit back and relax until you get there? Well, Google and many automobile manufacturers are hard at work on self-driving "robocars." Now lawmakers in Salem and Olympia are trying to figure out how to update the rules-of-the-road to keep pace with the cars of the future.

Washington, Oregon Consider Mileage-Based Road Tax

Tom Banse — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:00:26 +0000

PORTLAND - Washington and Oregon are getting serious about finding a replacement for the gas tax. Steadily improving fuel efficiency in cars is eroding the primary source of road funding in the Northwest. A new report to the 2013 Washington Legislature finds it "feasible" to have drivers pay by the mile instead.

Oregon, Washington Consider I-5 Bridge Toll

Chris Lehman — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:40:03 +0000

One of the biggest traffic choke-points in the Northwest is the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River between Portland and Vancouver. Replacing it will be one of the region’s most expensive construction projects in a generation. Lawmakers in Salem and Olympia are considering funding packages to replace the bridge. A key question is whether enough drivers will pay the tolls planners say are needed to finance the project. Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Oregon Governor Urges Legislature To Act Quickly To Fund I-5 Bridge

Chris Lehman — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:36:04 +0000

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber is stepping up the pressure on state lawmakers to make funding a new I-5 bridge over the Columbia River a top priority. The Democrat made his case for a new span between Portland and Vancouver at a gathering of business leaders Monday.

North Cascades Highway Closed

Phyllis Fletcher — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 01:26:36 +0000

The North Cascades Highway is closed. The Washington State Department of Transportation closed the highway at noon Monday because of a danger of heavy snow and avalanche.