Why is traffic (especially on I-405 and SR 520) so much worse on Thursday afternoon than any other day of the week?
Ian
Wow. Everyone seems to love the traffic questions on I Wonder. Here is your answer, Ian, directly from Kris Olsen at the Washington State Dept. of Transportation:
Our traffic data shows most all weekdays experience afternoon traffic congestion on SR 520 westbound.
We frequently observe Thursday afternoon congestion worse than other weekdays. We re not 100 percent sure why this occurs, but we know that any slight increase in volume or change in travel patterns can significantly increase congestion.
It could be due to more folks working four day work weeks and not going in to work on Friday. That would account for Thursday evenings having normal commute trips plus vacation or other miscellaneous trips taking place.
Also, as westbound SR 520 becomes congested, some drivers shift to I-90, increasing the volume and congestion on southbound I-405.
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