Transportation

Traffic moves along I-405 between Highway 522 and Highway 527 where WSDOT received the approval to build a second express toll lane on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Bothell, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

I-405 express lanes soon to become more expensive for commuters

The price increase, approved Monday, will increase tolls to a high of $15 during peak hours.

 

The first flight from Paine Field to Honolulu is prepared by grounds crew on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Alaska’s daily flight from Everett to Honolulu will change to seasonal

The airline is “shifting to a seasonal market to enable some other flights in Everett.” The Honolulu flights will go from October to May.

 

The I-5, Highway 529 and the BNSF railroad bridges cross over Union Slough as the main roadways for north and southbound traffic between Everett and Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Highway 529 to close for months between Everett, Marysville

North of Everett, repairs of the old bridges along Highway 529 will be in full swing by February.

 

State Ferry workers direct drivers onto Washington Ferry MV Suquamish on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, at the terminal in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Edmonds-Kingston ferry route had largest rider increase in 2023

Routes to and from Snohomish County had some of the highest, fastest-growing demand in the nation’s largest ferry system.

State Ferry workers direct drivers onto Washington Ferry MV Suquamish on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, at the terminal in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The 810 McCollum Park Community Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Light rail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Sound Transit seeks comment on bus changes ahead of Lynnwood Link

A new route, and changes to three others, could be coming this year for transit riders in Snohomish County.

The 810 McCollum Park Community Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Light rail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Riders wait to board as a southbound Swift Blue Line bus arrives at the stop on Pacific Avenue on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Zero emissions by 2044 part of Community Transit’s long-range plan

The transit agency’s “Journey 2050” report gazes 25 years into the future, touching on ambitious goals with light rail arriving.

Riders wait to board as a southbound Swift Blue Line bus arrives at the stop on Pacific Avenue on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ski lifts at Stevens Pass Resort in Skykomish, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

U.S. 2 closes near Stevens Pass as blizzard hits Cascades

There was “no ETA” for the highway to open around Stevens Pass. Meanwhile, snow was falling in Darrington, too.

Ski lifts at Stevens Pass Resort in Skykomish, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Trooper Heather Axtman talks to local residents hoping to get an escort into Index on Monday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Gold Bar, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).

When driving in snow and ice, sometimes it’s worth it to ‘stay home’

As temperatures dip, sometimes staying safe means not driving at all — a lesson this columnist learned one night on a Montana highway.

Trooper Heather Axtman talks to local residents hoping to get an escort into Index on Monday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Gold Bar, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).
People walk underneath Sound Transit’s Link Lynnwood City Center Station currently under construction on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As calendar turns, Lynnwood light rail is no longer ‘next year’

If all goes to plan, commuters will be on the Lynnwood Link by the end of the year, ushering in a new era for the city.

People walk underneath Sound Transit’s Link Lynnwood City Center Station currently under construction on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beaches and hiking trails at Deception Pass State Park are a 20-minute walk from the Island Transit bus stop near the park entrance on Highway 20 on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

From Mukilteo to Deception Pass on $6, bagel not included

Newsflash: In Island County, bus rides are free. Traveling the length of Whidbey Island can be an ideal winter day-trip.

Beaches and hiking trails at Deception Pass State Park are a 20-minute walk from the Island Transit bus stop near the park entrance on Highway 20 on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Amtrak Cascades train 517 to Portland departs from Everett Station on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

High-speed rail with potential Everett stop misses out on $198M grant

Local members of Congress said they are committed to securing more federal funding to keep the ambitious project on track.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 to Portland departs from Everett Station on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Whidbey Island has one of highest wildlife-vehicle crash rates

Most of the reported vehicle-wildlife collisions involve deer, according to WSDOT.

Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118
A person steps off the light rail at Northgate Station on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$3 per ride: Sound Transit sets new fare for all Link trips

In fall 2024, it will be a flat fee on the Link, no matter the distance. The change comes just as light rail expands to Snohomish County.

A person steps off the light rail at Northgate Station on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ferry workers wait for cars to start loading onto the M/V Kitsap on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Longtime state ferry commuters: ‘This is the worst it’s been’

Thousands of commuters rely on the Edmonds-Kingston and Mukilteo-Clinton ferries. But delays and cancellations have piled up.

Ferry workers wait for cars to start loading onto the M/V Kitsap on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Sound Transit CEO exits, creating vacancy at pivotal moment for Link

After a little over a year, Julie Timm is leaving the regional public transit agency “to take care of family matters.”

A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A person and child watch seagulls on the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry in Washington on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mukilteo-Clinton ferry on 1-boat service as outage sparks delays

Ferry commuters also dealt with a fare processing problem that slowed transactions Thursday morning.

A person and child watch seagulls on the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry in Washington on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Traffic moves along I-405 between Highway 522 and Highway 527 where WSDOT received the approval to build a second express toll lane on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Bothell, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

State wants to increase I-405 tolls to at least $1, up to $15

The changes are meant to fund construction — as bids came in way over-budget — while decreasing congestion from Lynnwood to Bellevue.

Traffic moves along I-405 between Highway 522 and Highway 527 where WSDOT received the approval to build a second express toll lane on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 in Bothell, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Traffic moves northbound on I-5 through Everett on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Overnight I-5 lane reductions begin Monday night in Everett

The work this week will allow preparation for a Snohomish County bridge painting project.

Traffic moves northbound on I-5 through Everett on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A car drives over newly marked bike lanes at the intersection of College Avenue and 47th Street SE on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Stop sign change in Everett shines light on neighborhood traffic safety

A project on 47th Street SE aims to add safe bike lanes on lightly used roads. It’s been a test for drivers’ muscle memory.

A car drives over newly marked bike lanes at the intersection of College Avenue and 47th Street SE on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)

Index-Galena Road, Mountain Loop Highway close for season

Only 33 days after its reopening, part of Index-Galena Road was shut down due to winter weather.

The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)