Oregon Public Broadcasting

Fewer Northwest residents drove the region’s highways during the Labor Day weekend than they did in 2007. That continues the trend of reduced holiday travel in 2008. Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports.

Washington Transportation Department officials had expected a slight drop in  Labor Day traffic for the busiest highway areas. They weren’t surprised.

About two percent fewer vehicles crossed Snoqualmie Pass, the same drop as travelers on I-5 between Olympia and Chehalis.

Traffic on I-5 near the Canadian border was also down slightly.

Spokeswoman Alice Fiman says the big surprise was Stevens Pass, where the traffic volume was down about nine percent.

Alice Fiman: “But you do know we have a pretty significant construction project going up there at the Peshastin Interchange, which is east of Leavenworth. That may have influenced it a little bit.”

Marie Dodds from Oregon AAA says her agency hasn’t done its usual post-holiday survey yet, but she says the pre-holiday guess of a one-percent decline in drivers appears to be accurate.

It’s the third consecutive summertime holiday where high gas prices led to fewer people traveling in their cars.