Bellevue commuters who relied on text messages for Snoqualmie Pass travel warnings will need to download a new app to stay informed.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) shut down its I-90 text alert service on Monday, Aug. 31 and shifted all travel notifications to the free WSDOT mobile app, the Bellevue Reporter reported.
The agency said the change is meant to deliver more efficient, user-friendly updates.
The app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play under the name "WSDOT," sends push notifications for incidents or road work on I-90 between North Bend and Vantage that add 30 minutes or more to travel time.
It also provides advance notice of planned closures for construction and winter avalanche-control work.
How to set it up
For iPhone users: open the app, tap the notification bell in the top-left corner, select "Snoqualmie Pass I-90" and turn on push notifications.
For Android users: open the app, select "Notifications" from the left-hand menu, then select "Snoqualmie Pass I-90," according to a WSDOT blog post announcing the transition.
Beyond alerts, WSDOT described the app as a hub for real-time travel information, including mountain pass conditions, traffic cameras and roadway conditions.
Connectivity limits
The app requires both a smartphone and an internet connection. The old texts worked on any phone.
The Bellevue Reporter noted that opponents of the switch point to limited internet connectivity in rural stretches and mountain passes where drivers need warnings most. The app also leaves out anyone without a smartphone, while nearly all cell phones can receive text messages.
WSDOT also offers email alerts as an alternative notification option for travelers who want a backup.
The timing matters for Bellevue residents heading east over Snoqualmie Pass. WSDOT's Labor Day travel advisory, published Aug. 24, flagged I-90 between North Bend and Cle Elum as one of the state highways most prone to holiday congestion.
One-lane restrictions on the I-90 Vantage Bridge resume Tuesday, Sept. 8 and run through Nov. 2 for construction.
