Washington State Department of Transportation#Department of Highways

WSDOT was founded as the Washington State Highway Board and the Washington State Highways Department on March 13, 1905, when then-governor Albert Mead signed a bill that allocated $110,000 to fund new roads that linked the state. The State Highway Board was managed by State Treasurer, State Auditor, and Highway Commissioner Joseph M. Snow and the Board first met on April 17, 1905, to plan the 12 original state roads. The first state highway districts, each managed by a District Engineer, were established in 1918. During this period, the construction of highways began.{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1905-1920.htm |title=WSDOT History (1905-1920) |author=WSDOT |access-date=June 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828140203/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1905-1920.htm |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

In 1921, the State Highway Board was replaced by the Washington Highway Committee and the Washington State Highways Department became a division of the Washington State Department of Public Works. The first gas tax (1¢ per gallon) was levied and Homer Hadley started planning a pontoon bridge across Lake Washington, which would later become the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge, which opened on July 2, 1940. In 1923, the State Highways Department separated from the Public Works Department and organized the first official system of highways, Washington's state road system. In 1926, the U.S. government approved the U.S. route system, which connected the country by road. 11 U.S. Routes entered Washington at the time. Later in 1929, the Highway Committee was merged with the State Highways Department. The Lake Washington Floating Bridge and the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened in 1940. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed because of winds on November 7 that year, earning it the name Galloping Gertie.{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1921-1940.htm |title=WSDOT History (1921-1940) |author=WSDOT |access-date=June 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011065447/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1921-1940.htm |archive-date=October 11, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

The Washington State Highway Commission was formed in 1951.{{cite press release |date=July 2021 |title=Washington State Transportation Commission 70th Anniversary |url=https://wstc.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/washington-state-transportation-commission-70th-anniversary.pdf |publisher=Washington State Transportation Commission |access-date=October 14, 2022}} On June 29, 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, which started the Interstate Highway System. Originally, two Interstates entered Washington;{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1941-1960.htm |title=WSDOT History (1941-1960) |author=WSDOT |access-date=June 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011065741/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1941-1960.htm |archive-date=October 11, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} most work was not completed until the 1970s. In 1964, the state highways were renumbered to the current system. Metro Transit was created in 1972 and work on highways rapidly continued. The North Cascades Highway (SR 20) was completed in 1972, and the first HOV lanes in Washington were installed on SR 520 that same year.{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1961-1977.htm |title=WSDOT History (1961-1977) |author=WSDOT |access-date=June 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005014300/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1961-1977.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}

A combined state department of transportation was proposed in the mid-1960s and gained the support of Governor Dan Evans.{{cite news |last=Cummings |first=Robert |date=December 8, 1966 |title=State Department of Transportation |page=4 |work=Tri-City Herald}} Charles Prahl, who resigned as head of the Department of Highways, criticized the Evans administration's proposal to create a transportation "superagency" and the prioritization of rapid transit in plans for the urban transportation system of Seattle.{{cite news |last=Mertena |first=Bill |date=September 11, 1969 |title=Superagency concept hit by Charles Prahl in talk |page=2 |work=The Columbian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102565903/superagency-concept-hit-by-charles/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 11, 2022}} The Washington State Department of Transportation was authorized by the state legislature and assumed the responsibilities of several agencies on September 21, 1977. William A. Bulley, the existing Director of Highways, was appointed as the state's first Secretary of Transportation to lead the new agency, which had absorbed state departments that had overseen highways, toll bridges, aeronautics, canals, and community development.{{cite web |last=Burrows |first=Alyssa |date=March 24, 2005 |title=William A. Bulley becomes Director of Highways on November 1, 1975. |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/7288 |work=HistoryLink |accessdate=December 11, 2022}}{{cite news |last=Mertena |first=Bill |date=September 19, 1977 |title=Check those new state laws |page=1 |work=The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114494059/check-those-new-state-laws/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=December 11, 2022}} The State Highway Commission was renamed to the Washington State Transportation Commission, with its first meeting taking place on September 21, 1977.

On February 13, 1979, the western pontoons of the Hood Canal Bridge were swept away by a wind storm. In 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted and caused damage to many state highways, mainly SR 504. The Hood Canal Replacement Bridge opened on October 3, 1982, and the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge collapsed on November 25, 1990.{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1978-1990.htm |title=WSDOT History (1978-1990) |author=WSDOT |access-date=June 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830073045/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1978-1990.htm |archive-date=August 30, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}

In 1991, a smaller renumbering of state highways occurred. The renumbering produced some new highways and either realigned or removed highways from the system. In 1996, Sound Transit was formed and in the same year, the Washington State Transportation Commission adopted its first 20-year transportation plan. Throughout the 1990s, WSDOT and ODOT partnered with Amtrak to create a train service that went from Canada to Oregon, which later became the Amtrak Cascades. The 2001 Nisqually earthquake damaged most state highways around the Seattle metropolitan area and most of the budget was turned over to the Puget Sound region to help rebuild and repair roads and bridges.{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1991-2004.htm |title=WSDOT History (1991-2004) |author=WSDOT |access-date=June 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005014316/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/1991-2004.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/2005_Beyond.htm |title=WSDOT History (2005 and beyond) |author=WSDOT |access-date=June 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006071815/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Centennial/2005_Beyond.htm |archive-date=October 6, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Since the beginning of the 21st century, WSDOT has been tasked with rebuilding and renovating aging portions of the highway system across the state. Several sections with poor conditions required emergency repairs in early 2023, including a large hole in an offramp to SR 99 in Seattle and broken concrete panels on I-5 in Everett and I-90 near Issaquah.{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=May 27, 2023 |title=West Seattle road-ramp breakdown is worse than just one hole |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/west-seattle-road-ramp-breakdown-is-worse-than-just-one-hole/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=June 1, 2023}} WSDOT has also been tasked with replacement of 437 fish barriers, mainly outdated culvert designs, in Western Washington to comply with a federal court order to restore salmon runs that are protected by Native American treaty rights. {{As of|2024}}, 146 of the barriers had been replaced or rehabilitated; the program is expected to cost $7.8 billion by 2030.{{cite news |last=Reicher |first=Mike |date=March 10, 2024 |title=Removing WA salmon barriers surges to $1M a day, but results are murky |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/removing-wa-salmon-barriers-surges-to-1m-a-day-but-results-are-murky/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=March 10, 2024}}

Image:Map of Washington State Department of Transportation regions - 20101109.svg

WSDOT divides the state into six regions: the Olympic,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/Olympic/ |title=WSDOT Regions-Olympic |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}} Northwest,{{cite web|url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/Northwest/ |title=WSDOT Regions-Northwest |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126071936/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/Northwest/ |archive-date=January 26, 2007 }} Southwest,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/Southwest/ |title=WSDOT Regions-Southwest |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}} North Central,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/NorthCentral/ |title=WSDOT Regions-North Central |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}} South Central,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/SouthCentral/ |title=WSDOT Regions-South Central |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}} and Eastern.{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/Eastern/ |title=WSDOT Regions-Eastern |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}} The Northwest Region is subdivided into three more regions, which are King County,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/Northwest/King/ |title=WSDOT Regions-King County |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028012948/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/northwest/King/ |archive-date=October 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Snohomish County,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/Northwest/Snohomish/ |title=WSDOT Regions-Snohomish County |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230113116/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/northwest/Snohomish/ |archive-date=December 30, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} and Baker (Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties).{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/Northwest/Baker/ |title=WSDOT Regions-Baker |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

WSDOT is overseen by the Governor of Washington. The governor appoints a Secretary of Transportation who is confirmed by the state legislature. The last Secretary of Transportation was Lynn Peterson, who served until February 5, 2016, when her appointment under Governor Jay Inslee was rejected by the Washington State Senate during the confirmation process.{{cite news |last1=Lindblom |first1=Mike |last2=O'Sullivan |first2=Joseph |date=February 5, 2016 |title=State Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson ousted by Senate Republicans |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/transportation-secretary-lynn-peterson-ousted-by-state-senate/ |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 5, 2016}} Deputy Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar was appointed as Acting Secretary of Transportation by Governor Inslee on February 10, 2016.{{cite press release |date=February 10, 2016 |title=Inslee appoints Roger Millar as Acting Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation |url=http://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-appoints-roger-millar-acting-secretary-washington-state-department-transportation |publisher=Office of the Governor of Washington |access-date=February 10, 2016}}{{cite news |last=O'Sullivan |first=Joseph |date=February 10, 2016 |title=Inslee appoints acting transportation chief |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/inslee-appoints-acting-transportation-chief/ |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 10, 2016}}

WSDOT has approximately 1,500 positions for winter operations, which includes snow plow crews for the major mountain passes crossed by state highways.{{cite news |last=Zhou |first=Amanda |date=November 8, 2021 |title=Washington state roads and passes may stay closed longer, get fewer repairs this winter |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/why-washington-state-roads-and-passes-may-be-closed-for-longer-and-in-worse-conditions-this-winter/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 29, 2024}} In the Snoqualmie Pass area, the agency has avalanche control crews that use an M60 tank, howitzers, and a mechanical tram carrying explosives to clear snow buildup before it endangers the highway.{{cite news |last=Bush |first=Evan |date=January 23, 2017 |title=How avalanche forecasters use bombs, a howitzer and an M60 tank to keep us safe |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/avalanche-man-forecaster-keeps-us-safe-skis-bombs-howitzer-snoqualmie-pass/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=August 29, 2024}}

{{main|Washington State Ferries}}

WSDOT manages the official ferry service in Washington. WSDOT's ferry service, called Washington State Ferries, is the largest in the United States and third largest in the world.{{cite web |title=An Introduction To The Largest Ferry System In The Nation |publisher=Washington State Ferries, Customer and Community Relations |pages=2 |date=May 2006 |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/pdf/WSFLargest.pdf |access-date=April 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414020110/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/pdf/WSFLargest.pdf |archive-date=April 14, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} Ferries had been in the Puget Sound since the 1950s.[http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/your_wsf/index.cfm?fuseaction=our_history History of Washington State Ferry system], WSDOT, Retrieved March 15, 2008 There are 10 routes and 22 ferries currently operating.[http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/vessels.aspx Washington State Ferries - Ferries - Vessels], WSDOT, Retrieved May 6, 2013[http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=47.17&full=true 2004-2005 Official State Highway Map], Washington State Department of Transportation, Retrieved March 15, 2008

{{main|Travel Washington}}

WSDOT began operating the Travel Washington intercity Bus program in 2007. There are currently four lines:

• Grape Line, from Pasco to Walla Walla, operated by Bellair Charters and Airporter.
• Dungeness Line, from Port Angeles to Seattle, operated by Greyhound Lines.
• Apple Line, from Omak to Ellensburg via Wenatchee, operated by Northwestern Stage Lines.
• Gold Line, from Kettle Falls to Spokane, operated by Bellair Charters and Airporter.

{{Update|part=the current and recent list of projects|inaccurate=yes|date=June 2025}}

File:Alaskan Way Viaduct Seattle Twilight.jpg pictured in 2013]]

As of 2008, there were about 250 projects that were being planned or constructed by WSDOT.{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects |title=WSDOT Projects |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}} Some of the most notable projects that were recently finished include the Tacoma Narrows Bridge project, which built a second bridge adjacent to the original bridge,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16narrowsbridge/ |title=Tacoma Narrows Bridge Project |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714074634/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16narrowsbridge/ |archive-date=July 14, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} the SR 167 HOT lanes project, which added HOT lanes over SR 167's existing HOV lanes from the SR 18 area to 180th Street,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR167/HOTLanes/ |title=SR 167 HOT Lanes Project |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080714132745/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR167/HOTLanes/ |archive-date = July 14, 2008}} and the I-5 HOV extensions project, which extended the HOV lanes in Everett from the I-5/SR 99/SR 526/SR 527 interchange to the I-5/US 2/SR 529 Spur interchange.{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/HOVSR526toUS2/ |title=I-5 HOV Project |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715110632/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/HOVSR526toUS2/ |archive-date=July 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Some of the main projects in the future include the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/ |title=Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}} the replacement of the SR 520 Evergreen Point floating bridge,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520Bridge/ |title=SR 520 Bridge Replacement |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}} the ferry terminals,{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ |title=Washington State Ferries |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}} the I-5 Crash barrier project{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/MarysvilleMedianBarrier/ |title=I-5 Marysville Median Barrier |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708213444/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/MarysvilleMedianBarrier/ |archive-date=July 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} and SR 704.{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR704/CrossBase/default.htm |title=SR 704- The Crossbase Highway |author=WSDOT |access-date=July 15, 2008}}

Based on numbers between 2020 and late-2023, approximately 1,340 accidents or crashes annually occur in WSDOT construction zones. The number of WSDOT employees that have died in construction zone accidents since 1950 is recorded at 61.{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Family of road worker killed on U.S. Highway 12 in 2000 renews calls for safe driving |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/family-of-road-worker-killed-on-us-highway-12-in-2000-renews-calls-for-safe-driving,375841 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=February 21, 2025}}

{{Portal|U.S. roads|United States}}

• United States Department of Transportation
• State highways in Washington

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{Cite report |date=June 2012 |title=A Citizen's Guide to Washington State: 2012 Transportation Budget |url=http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/budget/citizensguidetranspo2012.pdf |publisher=Washington State Senate Transportation Committee |access-date=August 30, 2012 }}

• {{official website}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080412221521/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/keyfacts/ WSDOT Key Facts]

{{Washington}}

{{U.S. State Departments of Transportation}}

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Transportation

Department of Transportation

Category:State departments of transportation of the United States

Category:Government agencies established in 1964

Category:1964 establishments in Washington (state)