IT'S NOT "THE 5" IT'S I-5!
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Washington State DOT
@wsdot
Official Washington State Department of Transportation Twitter account. For road hazards and emergencies, please call 911.
Washington State DOT’s Tweets
OK, quick update:
▪️ Western WA: Frozen
▪️ Passes: Slammed
▪️ Eastern WA: Snowy, frozen rain later
▪️ Website: Busy
▪️ Communicators: Rocking back & forth, muttering and laughing maniacally
▪️ My oatmeal: Gross since I put cumin instead of cinnamon in it
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With cameras out in some spots, we’ll try to keep you updated on how things look. Here’s I-5 in the Federal Way area.
If your weekend includes looking for #Eevee on #PokemonGO, please do so safely. No Pokemoning from behind the wheel.
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If you are a Seahawks fan, and you are driving, and you are listening to the radio, and you hear about Russell Wilson. ...please don't drive off the road. Calmly pull over, and then react.
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Nice! Our camera captured the 1st image of #wildlife using the new I-90 overcrossing east of ! This coyote safely crossed the highway, avoiding traffic, anvils, ACME rockets & roadrunners! Excited to see what other species cross!
What am I thankful for during this holiday season? Right now, at this moment, I'm thankful - overjoyed, really - that I'm not doing social media for Ticketmaster.
It was actually the drivers who chose not to follow chain requirements and crashed and blocked the highway who closed it. But crews are working as fast as they safely can to clear them so that those who did chain up and were prepared can get going.
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The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) closed both directions of I-90 through Snoqualmie Pass on Saturday, due to spin outs and collisions. #FOX13 q13fox.com/news/snoqualmi
Just letting you know now that the day I have to tweet about a shark swimming on I-5 is the day I hang things up and just sit in the corner eating ice cream and wondering what it all means.
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The storm surge is so powerful from #HurricaneIan that it has brought a shark into the city streets of Fort Myers.
@BradHabuda
@BradHabuda
We’re overjoyed to have been invited to take part in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year. Here’s a behind the scenes look at us practicing with our giant balloons. 😉
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Right now we have more than 8,500 people on our website. We think that's the most since 2012. A live look at our web team trying to keep up.
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So I actually called in sick today - which I never do - and then we had the ferry incident and then I-5. So I promise not to call in sick again because who knows what will happen next time. An alien will land on the Space Needle or something.
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A live look at our mountain pass crews starting to mobilize for tonight's major snowstorm. Give them lots of room and none of that cable around their legs nonsense, ok?
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Waiting to get pics of the baby cow near I-5 in Marysville but sounds like someone on a horse is trying to wrangle it and this is basically what it looks like.
Uh oh. Looks like we've got some real issues on White Pass.
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Nailed it.
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Graphic design is my passion.
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You can blame us for many things, but at least in this case, it is not our fault you can’t get Taylor Swift tickets. Also, no, we don’t know Ticketmaster and can’t help you get Taylor Swift tickets.
Morning. I've really got nothing for today. Nothing. Sorry. Please be safe out there.
A live look at our website, which usually has less than 1,000 people on it on a Sunday this time of year, but right now has about 7,000 on it. Also, we're aware some cameras aren't updating - we're working on it!
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Road Closed signs apply to everyone. This is why. This semi went through the road closure on White Pass Thursday night and got stuck. Our crews had to rescue the occupants then today guide them down behind our snow blower. So. ...please don't.
A live look at us working to clear highways. Please give us space to work, keep rope cables away from our legs and stay extra alert for hungry wampas.
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Ooof. Thank you for being a friend. #RIP
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Important update: There are no signs of ruby red slippers beneath the shed. Repeat: No ruby red slippers. Alert remains high for flying monkeys.
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...Somebody lose their she-shed?
This isn't actually on one of our roads, but our cameras have spotted a...shed...blocking all lanes in both directions of 180th Street Southeast, just west of SR 9, in #Clearview.
This is a Snohomish County road, so they'll have updates.
OK, well, NASA put a rover on Mars but we put a cow on a plow so. ...
Ok, Edmonds is officially snowed in. I’m glad I loaded up on essentials like chips, donuts and chocolate milk yesterday. #wawx
Happy New Year friends! No chance for a group pic as we’re spread across the state, so this’ll have to do. On behalf of the WSDOT Twitter Bunch, wishing you all a safe, healthy, fabulous 2022!
AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!! We may have found the family!!!!!!!!! Working on getting the reunion set up!!!!! Stay tuned!
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OK let's do some good and make magic happen. Someone reached out to let us know they found this dinosaur on the side of EB I-90 just past @SnoqualmiePass Friday. The dino wants to get back to its family. Anyone have a lead so we can help reunite it?
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Someone ran into Plowie McPlow Plow.
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Unfortunately a few minutes after these pictures were taken, a driver rear-ended Plowie McPlow Plow as it was plowing eastbound I-90 west of Spokane. Please slow down as snow continues and give our plows space. twitter.com/WSDOT_East/sta…
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Feel the need to say this again: Our crews have been plowing all day. We've shared image after image of it. This is a large storm. Plowing means trying to keep lanes passable. It doesn't mean there will be bare pavement. You still must slow down. Please.
As a social media manager I can handle negative comments thrown my way all day every day. What I can't handle is my dog looking at me like this during a bath. Maybe @RowdyTalker045924 is right, maybe I am a terrible person.
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John Madden was a legend and I was truly terrible at his video game - though I had fun being terrible. In honor of his passing, we broke out the telestrator for a look at some of our team hard at work on I-5! Boom!
So, we close roads for a reason. This truck went around a barricade on US 2 near Waterville, got buried and needed to be rescued by our crews, putting them in danger & taking them away from other work. So PLEASE, obey road closures, for everyone's safety.
Vetoed.
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New Seattle Transportation Director from LA Immediately Rebrands I-5 to “The 5”: bit.ly/3zpSfKv
Once Snoqualmie opens, PLEASE don't treat it like the Indy 500. All it takes is one driver going too fast or being unprepared to crash & block the road. With narrow lanes & shoulders, there is no place to clear a crash so it would be stuck until aid arrives.
Wet roads today. It's not Deep thinking to know that Once you're out there, watch your speed & maintain an Even Flow. Whether going to the Porch, Garden or Oceans, Why Go too fast? At least, that's what my boss Jeremy would say. #30YearsOfTen
You may have seen our recent video of a coyote on the I-90 wildlife overcrossing. Here's a few more clips of animals using our various animal crossings, including bobcat, cougar and elk. #wildlife
The first few months of the year brought heavy snow to the mountains, which meant Mazama the Avalanche Rescue Goat and her teammates were hard at work trying to keep the passes safe for travel. #WSDOT20
If you're just tuning in, Western WA is covered in a sheet of ice:
, SeaTac airport has runways closed indefinitely,
has suspended service,
Too many collisions and spinouts to report,
Highly recommend delaying all non-essential travel. #wawx
Do not be alarmed. That water falling from the sky is our friend. Smile at it. Sing. Dance if you feel so moved. But welcome it. For it is beautiful.
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Stop. Just stop.
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The days start getting shorter today and you know what that means... 
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Sometimes, social media, you redeem yourself. Kameron's mom reached out on Facebook that he lost his dino over the weekend as they crossed I-90 & has been heartbroken. A reunion is being worked on ASAP so stay tuned! Here they are before they were separated!
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AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!! We may have found the family!!!!!!!!! Working on getting the reunion set up!!!!! Stay tuned! twitter.com/wsdot/status/1…
Looks like our "Raccoon Holding Lane" pilot project is working.
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These guys were waiting for the #Anacortes/#SanJuanIslands sailing last night. All the details you need to know before boarding can be found here: wsdot.wa.gov if you’re headed to the @wsferries terminal this morning.
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As part of the statewide effort to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we have added this messaging to our highway message signs throughout the state. Please do your part to help keep yourself and everyone safe.
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I was reminded that it was 7 years ago today that we got notice of a bull in a roundabout near SR 202/203 but with no cameras in the area, I had to improvise. Quite a #FlashbackFriday. I miss that happy bull.
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Kameron and Dino have been reunited!!!! His mom Haley said she only saw the post because a friend shared it with her. So nice work everyone!!!!
jd;lkjsad;lvjlkasd;lkjajg;lej!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords.
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Another live look from the field as one of our maintenance supervisors checks out the snow conditions. His report? There's still snow.
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Elk can take years to use new crossings. They're wary that way. So we're surprised & excited that since the first elk used the I-90 overcrossing near in May, we've averaged 68 elk crossings a month! Such great news for that corridor's safety!
Hi everyone! I'm here with my dad, the social media manager. Happy Take Your Kid to Work Day! I am going to be showing you what's going on at DOT & showing my dad how to use #SocialMedia. Thanks for following along! #WSDOTKids
I mean, who can argue with the guy who defeated a wampa and slept in a tauntaun?
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Replying to @lindseywasson and @NWSSeattle
Stay indoors until summer.
It's been a long several days for everyone, including our cameras! We're aware many of them are out. We're working on it! I tried this but it didn't work.
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GOOD MORNING THE ARE GOING TO CLINCH A PLAYOFF SPOT TONIGHT AND I CAN'T WAIT EVERYONE HAVE A SAFE FRIDAY LET'S GO M'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #SeaUsRise
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Besides the cumin oatmeal incident, here's the tweet we were hoping not to have to write today:
If the road is closed, DO NOT GO AROUND the closure point, just don't. It's closed it for a reason. If you get stuck, we can't help you until safe to do so. #wawx
Evening update: Snoqualmie, Stevens, White & Blewett passes remain closed. Because of the conditions and amount of work needed to safely re-open, our passes will likely remain closed until Sunday. (1/7)
"It may or may not be notable." Story of my life.
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Early Saturday AM Mazama the Avalanche Rescue Goat and her talented teammates headed into the heavy snow of US 2 Stevens Pass to do some avalanche control work. Follow for all updates for that pass, and stay safe and warm up there Mazama!
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Extreme weather has created conditions so hazardous that it's too dangerous for our crews to be in the mountain pass areas. Because of that, Snoqualime, Stevens, White & Blewett passes will not reopen until at least Friday & possibly not until Saturday. (1/6)
Icy conditions could last through Tuesday's AM commute. We'll be treating the roads but please help by slowing down, increase following distance & be cautious near road crews. Or just ride your Tauntaun, if that's a possibility. But watch out for the Wampa.
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Good morning humans. It is #TakeYourDogToWorkDay. My person says I will be helping him tweet. He said this does not involve food or getting a stick. But he said it would be fun and I'd get a treat. He also says to tell you to "Have a safe Friday out there."
It's been a looonngggg day but just followed us and as a huge fan for the past 42 years, this is excellent and exciting news.
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So torn. On the one hand, it's so unsafe to be on the side of a highway, much less setting up to rock our world on US 2. On the other hand. ...well. ...this is quite simply amazing. I mean, don't do this, but. ...wowzas.
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Our website always gets a serious workout during snow events. I just checked in on our web team to see how they're doing. They're. ..ok.
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This has become one of my favorite cameras we have. A beautiful view from Winthrop.
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As we head toward 8 pm, we must send a huge THANK YOU to all the road crews from every agency who worked so hard today to keep highways as safe as possible. A massive effort and we couldn't be more grateful for your hard work.
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A quick note of Thank You to everyone who made their way safely across Snoqualmie Pass last night. Can't lie, definitely was worried a crash would cause it to close again, but it didn't happen. Great job, keep it up as our crews continue working up there.
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Sending a huge thanks to all the emergency response crews who have been working so hard the past few days to help keep everyone safe. We can't thank you enough. Please help them out by giving them room, slowing down and staying alert out there. #WaWILDFIRE
Very cool. Go Bullwinkle, go!
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Is that a MOOSE? Yes, it's a moose!!! This is the first recorded moose sighting @MountRainierNPS & southwestern Washington! Could this be same moose recently observed on the I-90 wildlife undercrossing at Resort Creek? Check out @WSDOT’s video bit.ly/3FDSSEK @WDFW -tc/pw
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Less than 30 minutes to go. Horns are honking as people make their last trips across the Alaskan Way Viaduct. #Realign99
OK let's do some good and make magic happen. Someone reached out to let us know they found this dinosaur on the side of EB I-90 just past Friday. The dino wants to get back to its family. Anyone have a lead so we can help reunite it?
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OK friends, it's been a loonngg day. We've shared some laughs, cried some tears, ate a burrito (at least I did). Hope our info has been useful as there's NO ONE we'd rather Tweet to than you. I wish you a safe evening & look forward to connecting in the morn.
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Heads up: Facebook and Instagram are down. Government social media managers are not complaining.
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You just keep that nonsense over in the other Washington please.
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An invasion is coming. This spring, trillions of cicadas will emerge from the ground around us, announcing their arrival with a cacophony of sound & piles of molted skin. Brood X – which arrives every 17 years – should appear sometime in May #nature #wildlife 
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Couldn't agree more. Also be sure your vehicle is maintained. Wouldn't want to fall apart and get stuck while everyone else is passing you by. #GoHawks #BlueThursday
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Headed to #Seahawks vs #AZCardinals tonight? On your drive, be sure to make good decisions and pass carefully. U don't want another car, like a Jeep Patriot, for example, to cut you off and end your drive right before you reach your destination. That would be awful. #BeRedSeeRed
Can't say we didn't warn ya.
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Um...if you are one of the people that parked in the right hand turn lane on US 2 in Leavenworth- now is your chance to move your vehicle before state patrol shows up....
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Thanks so much for joining us!
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Replying to @WhiteHouse
First stop: Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, where we’re modernizing one of Washington State’s busiest routes.
Ferries are the primary way many residents and workers travel across Puget Sound. Our $4.9M grant will make the commute more reliable and efficient for 4 million annual riders.
He was a constant part of our nights forever, and built an amazing legacy around knowledge and facts.
Who was: Alex Trebek. RIP
Our hearts are broken with news that a colleague from , died on the job today. In honor of him we will be switching our Twitter avatars across all of our accounts. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and co-workers.
Do as the ducks do.
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If ducks can do the zipper merge, so can you! Take a quack at alternating when two lanes become one. As long as no one gets their feathers ruffled and cries fowl, it’ll go swimmingly! Waddle you have to lose? 
I was going to respond with something clever, but Nevermind.
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"All Apologies" for those enjoying the "Sliver" of sun today. Not to "Drain You" of your enthusiasm, but the rain can't "Stay Away". Western Washington "In Bloom" isn't far off though. "Come As You Are" in your rain jacket tomorrow. #wawx
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It's #TBT and it's also the 5th anniversary of the day I was handling the account, heard about a bear in a median, had no cameras in that area and let my imagination and amazing art skill take over.
Saturday update: Good progress continues to be made on Snoqualmie, Stevens, White & Blewett passes. There’s still a lot of work to go, but Snoqualmie & Blewett will reopen sometime Sunday. It will take longer to get Stevens & White reopened. (1/10)
Pardon me, . Could you please have come retrieve his bird please? Thank you. Sincerely, us.
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Our new intern is keeping an eye on traffic this morning 
We hope you have a safe & smooth Tuesday morning commute.
We hope you have a safe & smooth Tuesday morning commute.
Good morning from Hoth. OK here's the situation: It's really rough out there. Ice everywhere. Lots of crashes, lots of closures. Ferries & transit service disruptions. Snow & ice on the passes. Highly recommend if you don't have to travel, stay off the roads.
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Our crews got a shot of this moose making its way through the snow near SR 155 Disautel Pass last week. No sign of a flying squirrel nearby.
You had me at "dropped explosives from a helicopter."
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Recent storms loaded the upper avalanche paths on Snoqualmie Pass so our avalanche team dropped explosives from a helicopter to reduce the avalanche hazard today during the 10 a.m. closure. It was a huge success because we brought down a ton of snow and got some great shots!
Sigh, we can and must do better. Help us help you.
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Hopped in a plow and immediately was passed in median by a truck. Come on people. We can do better. Don’t pass a plow and don’t pass in the median.
Insider Tip:
▪️ Helpful: "Hey WSDOT, looks like there's a pothole on southbound I-5 near exit 231 in the right lane if you could take a look."
▪️ Not super helpful: "What's with I-5?"
Well my cat just dropped a hairball on my foot, which is the perfect note to end this day on. Appreciate everyone's patience and we'll be back in the AM to share more info, updates, etc. Have a safe, hairball-free evening everyone.
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It's Mike's birthday today, our fearless social media leader. He works hard and puts a lot of pride in his work. Can you help us out? He’s off today and we want to surprise him with well wishes when he returns tomorrow. We couldn't find a picture of him, so we drew one in paint.
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You ever trying to work and get the feeling that you’re being watched?
Morning! This is my dog. She didn't have a plan for snow & ice, leading to 10 minutes of pacing in 25 degrees looking for a place to do her thing. Don't be like my dog. Have a plan for snow & ice that includes slowing down & increasing following distance.
