NEWS

(BELLINGHAM)– Community members have a limited opportunity to obtain a piece of Bellingham Rock from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Civic Stadium parking lot in Bellingham. Before it was removed in April as part of a project to restore fish passage at Friday, Lake and Chuckanut creeks, Bellingham Rock served as a community billboard along Interstate 5 for more than five decades. The Washington State Department of Transportation will begin distributing rock pieces at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 11, in the Civic Stadium parking lot. That opportunity will continue until as late as 3 p.m. or until all     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)— The Washington Department of Ecology has proposed a contingency plan for the state’s vehicle emissions standards, which have been challenged at the federal level. The plan is being considered through Ecology’s rulemaking process and would ensure that Washington continues decarbonizing transportation, lowering costs for drivers, and protecting communities from harmful air pollution, regardless of federal actions, according to a news release from Ecology. Vehicle emissions standards are a critical tool for addressing climate change and improving air quality. Washington’s standards expand clean car options for consumers and ensure that new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles pollute less.     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)– An important safety tool for Washington drivers and road crews will soon enter a new phase with a steeper penalty for its first infraction. After more than a year of trying to change driver behavior, the Work Zone Speed Camera Program's first infraction will result in a fine. Last year, the Legislature voted to change the fine for a first-time infraction from $0 to $125, beginning July 1. Penalties for second and all subsequent infractions remain $248, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The increase comes after the cameras have been used more than 900 times at about 50     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)– The state Commercial Aviation Work Group, which evaluates Washington’s future needs for commercial aviation and transportation, will host a hybrid public meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the Centralia College TransAlta Commons. The group submitted its 2025 report to the Legislature in November 2025. Work group members will research alternatives for more aviation capacity and expanding the use of existing airports as well as opportunities with other forms of transportation. The work group is not tasked with selecting locations for or building a new airport, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Those attending     (read more)

(ANACORTES)– The westbound State Route 20 right bypass lane at the Sharpes Corner roundabout will close from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, near Anacortes. Westbound SR 20 travelers still may use both lanes through the roundabout. Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will perform guardrail repair during the daytime lane reduction, according to a news release from the agency. People traveling in the area should plan for delays and do their part to keep the road crew safe by slowing down and removing distractions. Receive real-time roadway information via the WSDOT mobile app or the real-time travel map.     (read more)