OLYMPIA – If red, white and avoiding the blues of traffic backups are on your Independence Day weekend agenda, then Washington State Department of Transportation’s holiday travel charts might just be your declaration of congestion independence.
WSDOT’s charts are available just in time for the Fourth of July, helping travelers spend more time with family and friends and less time sitting in traffic. The charts highlight the best and worst times to travel on major state highways during one of Washington's busiest travel weekends.
Key routes include Interstate 5 between Lacey and Tacoma, I-90 between North Bend and Cle Elum, US 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass, and the I-5/Canada border crossing. WSDOT anticipates that these routes are likely to experience some of the heaviest congestion during the holiday weekend.
What chart colors represent
In the travel charts, green represents the most favorable travel times, while red indicates periods of anticipated peak congestion. Travelers are encouraged to review the charts before heading out and build extra time into their plans – especially on Friday, July 3, when many people are expected to begin their holiday travels.
Whether traveling across town or across the state, WSDOT encourages travelers to “know before you go” by following these tips:
What to expect
Travel will be busy across the state – no matter where and how people choose to get around. Holiday weekends regularly bring increased traffic and delays at airports and along state highways, waterways and pedestrian trails. Travelers should be patient, expect delays, allow extra travel time and stay alert. Delays may also occur as crews respond to crashes or conduct emergency repairs.
Most highway construction paused
To ease congestion throughout the holiday weekend, WSDOT will temporarily suspend most state highway construction work on Saturday, July 4. The Revive I-5 work on the Ship Canal Bridge is currently paused to accommodate increased traffic attending international soccer matches in the vicinity. All four lanes of the northbound I-5 Ship Canal Bridge opened to travelers Sunday, June 7, and the express lanes are operating on their regular schedules. Throughout international soccer matches, congestion is expected to be heavier on most major routes. Travelers should stay alert for lane shifts or work zone staging that may remain in place.
Roadside fires are preventable
WSDOT takes steps to prevent roadside fires and minimize fire risks on construction projects and highway maintenance activities. Crews also respond to and help with traffic control for roadside fires and wildfire response.
Small, everyday actions can be the difference in preventing a roadside fire from occurring:
Ferry travel
Washington State Ferry routes also are expected to be busy. Reservations are strongly encouraged on routes that offer them. People boarding a ferry by vehicle can likely expect the busiest sailings and longer wait times to be westbound (or onto an island) Thursday and Friday, July 2-3, and eastbound (or departing an island) Sunday and Monday, July 5-6. Walk-on passengers can bypass vehicle lines and usually board much faster. Other helpful tips to consider:
Vantage Bridge
To help accommodate increased travel during the holiday weekend, all four lanes of I-90 across the Vantage Bridge will be open Thursday, July 2, through Tuesday, July 7. At all other times, only one lane of the bridge will be open in each direction through the fall due to construction. WSDOT will reopen the bridge to all lanes for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-8. This project is part of a long-term effort to replace the deteriorating bridge deck, with construction expected to be complete by fall 2028.
Tolling
In the Puget Sound region, weekend toll rates will be in effect beginning Saturday, July 4, on the SR 520 bridge, SR 99 tunnel and SR 509 Expressway. The I-405 and SR 167 express toll lanes will be free and open to all drivers Saturday, July 4. Out-of-town travelers, including those using rental cars, can learn about toll roads and temporary account payment options on the Good To Go! visitors page.
Trains, airports and transit
Travelers making a trip by train, personal aircraft or bus also should plan ahead to avoid holiday delays:
Special Board Meeting: June 24, 2026 at 10:15am
Bumgarner Meeting Room, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA 98831
1. Call to Order
2. Flag Salute
3. Public Comment
4. Old Swim Hole emergency repair approval (Action Item)
5. Driftwood (Action Item)
6. Adjournment
Deputies assaulted, arrests made:
On June 14, 2026, at approximately 7:11 p.m., deputies responded to a disturbance in the 200 block of Independence Way in Cashmere, WA. A caller reported that Jared Soriano, 25, claimed he had been assaulted at a nearby Chevron gas station.
Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the caller, who noted that Soriano had no visible injuries and was inside an apartment breaking items and yelling at his mother. Soriano exited the apartment when he saw law enforcement. Appearing heavily intoxicated, he began shouting at deputies regarding his alleged assault. He then approached the deputies aggressively while using racial slurs.
Despite deputies' attempts to de-escalate the situation, Soriano continued his aggressive advance. He reached out and grabbed a deputy's neck, causing a scratch that drew blood. The deputy brought Soriano to the ground, where Soriano continued to resist, striking the deputy with his knee multiple times and attempting to bite a second assisting deputy.
During the struggle, Soriano’s mother, Margarita Violeta Mendez, 47, intervened. Mendez threatened to use pepper spray on the deputies as they attempted to secure her son and produced a can of pepper spray and aimed it at the deputies. Additional units arrived on the scene to assist, and both suspects were taken into custody without further incident. They were booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on the following charges:
Jared Soriano: Two counts of Assault in the 3rd Degree and, Resisting Arrest.
Margarita Violeta Mendez: Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer and, Assault in the 3rd Degree (for threatening deputies with pepper spray).
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office commends the responding deputies for demonstrating great restraint, tactical proficiency, and a commitment to de- escalation principles during a volatile situation.
Chelan County Deputies continue to be dedicated to, “A community where safety, justice and security are ensured for all through unwavering commitment to service”.
Sheriff Mike Morrison reports during the past week, the Chelan County Sheriff’s office has received several calls for assistance in the Colchuck Lake and Enchantments area. Resources were deployed to the field on 3 of the incidents.
On June 7th at approximately 7:45pm, the RiverCom dispatch advised the Sheriff’s Office of an injured hiker on the Colchuck Lake Trail approximately 3 miles from the trailhead. The hiker, a 28-year-old female from Whistler BC sprained or broke her ankle. She was unable to put pressure on it and was not able to walk out. Twelve volunteer rescuers from Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue and Chelan County Mountain Rescue responded to the trail. The first rescuers reach the patient at approximately 1:00am. It was determined the best method to bring the patient out would be via wheeled litter. They made it back to the trailhead at approximately 5:00am. The rescue would not have been possible without the response from our dedicated volunteer groups.
On June 9th at approximately 10:00pm, a group of hikers reported their friend had become disoriented after nearly completing the through hike of the Enchantments in one day. The group of 6 hikers who had just graduated from high school in Portland, said their friend suddenly ran back up the trail for an unknown reason but believed it was medical. They had searched the area and were unable to locate him. Two Deputies responded to the Snow Lakes trailhead to help search for the hiker. Prior to arriving, the group called back and said they had located him, but were requesting an ambulance. Cascade Medical responded and the Deputies continued in case they were needed. The patient was a short distance down the trail and was medically cleared. It appeared exhaustion may have been a factor in the incident.
On June 14th at approximately 12:30pm a 30-year-old female was reported to have a broken ankle at Colchuck Lake. A CCSO search and rescue coordinator requested they remain at the lake so they could be picked up by a helicopter. The CCSO Air Support Unit responded to the landing zone on the north end of Colchuck lake and were able to bring her to the helicopter. She was transported to the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery and was transferred over to Cascade Medical.
During the past week there were also 2 calls reporting overdue hikers and climbers in the same area. These groups made it out on their own without the need to send resources into the field. An additional call was made by a group of 4 hikers who were approximately 3.5 miles up the trail to Colchuck Lake. They were cold and wet and said they did not know if they could continue the rest of the way out. They were encouraged to continue hiking and made it out on their own. They made it to the trailhead at approximately 1:00am.
These incidents underscore the importance of being prepared when recreating in the Enchantments Recreation Area of Chelan County. In 2025, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office deployed resources to 31 calls of people in distress in the Enchantments and Colchuck Lake area. The agency responded to one call last year where the person was deceased. The overwhelming majority of emergency calls are from people who live outside Chelan County.
When recreating in the outdoors, people are encouraged to carry sufficient supplies, plan for changing weather conditions and allow adequate time to complete their outings safely and in the daylight. People are also encouraged to research trails before they make trip plans. If your fitness and preparedness levels do not meet the trail conditions, seek an alternate trail to recreate on.
Regular Board Meeting: June 11, 2026 at 4:00pm
Bumgarner Meeting Room, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA 98831
1. Call to Order
2. Flag salute
3. Agenda additions and deletions
4. Public comment
5. Review and approval of minutes (Action Item)
a. May 14, 2026 Regular Meeting
b. June 1, 2026 Special Meeting
c. June 9, 2026 Special Meeting
6. Financial review
a. Monthly financial report- Not available due to County malware attack
7. New business
a. New hire approval (Action Item)
b. July 4th Planning
c. Refunds due to driftwood (Action Item)
d. Minimum age for employees (Action Item)
e. 2026 Aquatics Program Operating Plan (Action Item)
8. Old business
a. Manson Youth Baseball follow-up
b. Chelanathon contract (Action Item)
c. Project updates:
i. Old Swim Hole redevelopment
1. Approval of contract for bid support services from Psomas (Action Item)
2. AIS station placement
ii. Leffler Finance Committee
iii. Willow Point Park Playground- thanks Rotary!
a. Manson Bay ADA accessibility study
9. Director’s Report
10. Adjournment
Next Regular Meeting: 4:00pm on July 9, 2026 at 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA, 98831.
Special Board Meeting: June 9, 2026 at 4:00pm
Bumgarner Meeting Room, 142 Pedoi Street, Manson WA 98831
1. Call to Order
2. Flag Salute
3. Public Comment
4. Approval of Voucher
5. Adjournment
Bypass trail completed after storm damage closed trail sections for months
NORTH BEND — June 2, 2026 — The western portion of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is officially reopening this weekend near the Mount Washington Trailhead.
Washington State Parks completed work on a 350-foot long, 36-inche wide bypass trail. The trail will reopen to pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians on June 5.
This project was made possible by the Washington State Parks Foundation, which donated the funding to complete the trail build. Trail construction was completed by Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, whose expertise produced a high-quality trail corridor within an expedited timeframe.
“We were really able to rally everyone together,” Kevin Goodrich, State Parks Northwest Region Manager said. “This was an incredible example of people coming together and getting it done, and we’re grateful to all of our partners and the wide breadth of State Parks staff who made it possible.”
The bypass trail returns through access to the west side of the PTCT and is the last of three trail sections between Ellensburg and North Bend that were closed due to storm impacts to reopen. With the seasonal reopening of the Snoqualmie Tunnel on May 5th, trail users can travel from North Bend to the eastern PTCT.
Much of the western section of the trail has been closed since December 2025. The atmospheric river and severe storms made the areas unstable and impassible for public access. In one section, the storms created a washout that is approximately 85 feet long and between 35-50 feet deep.
Visitors to the trail will still see some safety fencing and light construction along the trail. State Parks asks all trail users to stay on the PTCT and the bypass trail for their safety. Please respect all closures, stay off of damaged trail areas and do not attempt to view any washouts or other trail damage.
Though the bypass trail will restore access, it will still be a temporary trail with more limited capacity than the original PTCT. State Parks staff will work with annual large trail event hosts to find alternatives for their events.
State Parks is continuing to look at funding and implementation options for a long-term permanent fix that would repair the washout and restore the PTCT in its former location. This would include restoring the trail’s width, surfacing and full trail capacity. Project updates will be made available online.
This bypass trail is temporary, but it could be in place for several years until a long-term fix is funded and constructed.
Online open house shows overwhelming support for the program
OLYMPIA – After a thorough review of Washington’s Roadside Memorial Program, which honors victims of traffic collisions with roadside memorial signs, the Washington State Department has released updated program guidelines. The guidelines for the memorial signs were developed with feedback from the victims’ families and the public.
The updated policy allows sponsors to renew signs every ten years, indefinitely. The signs include victim names and a safety message. They are placed as close as possible to the collision site.
Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith directed WSDOT leaders to give the program a careful examination, ensuring it balances important safety messaging with an opportunity for people to honor a loved one.
“We wish these signs weren’t needed,” Secretary Meredith said. “Every single one is the story of a child, partner, friend — someone who was loved and didn’t make it home.”
Policy updates
An online open house held in fall 2025 gathered feedback on proposed program updates, including sign renewals and costs.
Currently, there are more than 1,000 signs in the program, with 600 at 265 locations that are more than 10 years old. WSDOT sent letters to current program participants informing them of the new program policy and will work compassionately with families to help them adapt to any changes.
The program began in 1994 and allows families to honor victims with multiple safety messages, including warnings about drinking and driving, speeding, distracted driving and motorcycle safety.
On May 27, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m., an anti-human trafficking operation was conducted at three illicit massage parlors in the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee.
As part of an ongoing investigation, CCSO Detectives discovered evidence indicating acts of prostitution were occurring at the following businesses:
• Foya Massage, 827 N. Miller St., Wenatchee, WA
• Lomi Lomi Massage, 212 S. Mission St., Wenatchee, WA
• Zen Massage, 858 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee, WA
Search warrants were served at all three locations, and the cases are also being referred to code enforcement for additional enforcement action.
The operation was led by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Wenatchee Police Department, East Wenatchee Police Department, SAGE Advocacy Center, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). HSI participated in a supporting role to assist potential victims of human trafficking. This operation was not related to any immigration enforcement.
Out of respect for the victims and the integrity of the investigation, further information will be released when appropriate.
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