Washington State Department of
Transportation
Headquarters Building - PO
Box 47322 - Olympia, WA 98504-7322 - (360) 705-7075
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Tonia
Buell, WSDOT Communications, 360.705.7439
Barb
Ivanov, WSDOT Freight Systems Division Director, 206.716.1166
Report confirms WSDOT roads are key to freight
economics
WSDOT Releases Freight
Transportation Economic Report on I-5 and I-90 Closures
OLYMPIA – A new report released this week by the Washington State Department of Transportation shows just how important road maintenance and operations are to the state’s economy.
The report documents more than $75 million in freight-related economic impact related to the storm-forced closures of Interstate 5 and Interstate 90 in the winter of 2007-2008. The analysis will help state officials make informed decisions about economic and infrastructure investments for the state’s transportation system.
“We recognize how important freight transportation is to the state’s economy,” said Paula Hammond, Washington State Secretary of Transportation. “Our goal is to keep freight moving by finding ways to operate the overall system even more effectively.”
A total of 2,758 surveys from the trucking industry and freight-dependent sectors were received and analyzed. The results of the surveys showed that last winter’s I-5 and I-90 road closures cost freight-dependent businesses nearly $75 million. More than $47 million of the total loss is attributable to the I-5 closure, with almost $28 million attributable to the I-90 closure. The closures were the result of severe weather that overwhelmed the roadways and disrupted freight and passenger movements across the state and West Coast. In all, the highways were closed for eight days—four days for I-5 and four days for I-90.
“WSDOT is to be commended for its focus on freight” said Larry Pursley, Executive Vice President, Washington Trucking Associations. “The department keeps the trucking industry informed about current and upcoming road closures and is better prepared for freight issues during major disruptions.”
WSDOT is using the study findings to develop additional strategies to respond quickly during future disruptions. Highlights of recommendations moving forward:
WSDOT had unplanned costs of repairing road damage and clearing snow. Winter operations were $9.1 million over the anticipated budget for 2007-2008 at $40.3 million total, a 12 percent increase over 2006-2007. The I-5 closure caused approximately $18 million in damage to the state highway.
The full report can be found on-line at www.wsdot.wa.gov/freight/trucking