Small Town News

DOT report shows improvement in regional traffic congestion

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Traffic congestion across the region eased in the second half of last year, data released by the state Department of Transportation shows.

Officials compared congestion data during the period last year to the same period in 2007 -- when a stronger economy drove congestion. DOT data shows improvements ranging from a minute to 15 minutes.

The comparison between 2008 and last year shows mixed results, with shorter times on some routes and about half unchanged or slower.

A driver navigating Interstate 90 between Bellevue and Seattle on a weekday morning commute might have experienced a 12-minute commute -- a two-minute improvement from the 14-minute morning commute in 2007. The afternoon commute from Seattle to Bellevue along 1-90 held steady at 13 minutes from 2007 to 2009.

DOT planners did not survey Issaquah-to-Bellevue or Issaquah-to-Seattle routes in the latest report.

The report lacked 2008 data about the 1-90 commute along the corridor between Bellevue and Seattle, due to construction. Also missing: traffic data from July 2009 due to shutdowns and construction on the I-90 floating bridges.

The department released the quarterly publication Feb. 19. Read the complete report online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/accounta-bility/graynotebook.pdf.

"We can see how higher fuel prices in 2008 and the current economic recession have contributed to the reduction in travel times, but we also have strong indications that the transportation improvements made possible by gas tax investments are also making a difference," state Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond said in a statement.

The largest improvements in travel times -- compared to previous years -- occurred on Interstate 405 between Bellevue and Tukwila. The morning commute showed a 13-minute travel time improvement northbound in the morning and a five-minute travel time improvement southbound in the evening. Transportation officials credited a new auxiliary lane completed near the congested I-90 interchange last January.



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© 2010 The Issaquah Press Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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