Plan ahead now for smoother Memorial Day travel

The 520 bridge will be on holiday rates on Memorial Day
Photo courtesy WSDOT

‘Know before you go’ the key to negotiating holiday traffic: tips from WSDOT

With Memorial Day fast approaching, now is the time to start planning ahead to avoid spending the holiday weekend stuck in traffic.

Drivers can use the Washington State Department of Transportation’s traffic volume charts to help time their travel on key routes throughout the weekend.

Drivers also can:

• Check out WSDOT’s mobile app, social media sites – such as Twitter and Facebook – and online tools for traffic information and ferry schedules to “know before you go.”
• Pre-program your vehicle radio to 530 AM and 1610 AM for highway advisory radio alerts.
• Allow extra time for holiday travel and congestion; consider traveling during non-peak hours; stay alert to avoid collisions in congested areas.

To ease congestion, most state highway construction work is suspended during the holiday weekend. Across the Vantage Bridge on Interstate 90, though, eastbound drivers will experience delays due to a round-the-clock single-lane closure. In addition, loads over 14 feet wide are prohibited in both directions.

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 30:

• The State Route 520 bridge toll will be on holiday rates
• The Interstate 405 express toll lanes will be free and open to all drivers

Washington State Ferries passengers should expect heavier traffic during the holiday weekend and reservations are strongly recommended for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands, Anacortes/Sidney, British Columbia and Port Townsend/Coupeville ferry routes.

• Reservations can be made online or by calling 888-808-7977.
• Visit the schedules and best travel times website or call 888-808-7977 for more details.

Travelers planning to avoid highway congestion by traveling by train, personal aircraft or bus also should factor the holiday into their plans:

• Amtrak Cascades passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets early and should plan to arrive at the station one hour before departure. Book now or call 800–USA–RAIL for details.
• WSDOT provides updates on state-operated airports online, or 800-552-0666.
• Most public transit systems will follow a holiday schedule, and some transit systems will not operate fixed-route or Dial-A-Ride service on holidays.