The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) of the U.S. government establishes new travel document requirements that are already in effect for crossing the border to enter or re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean by land and sea. The goal of the new requirements is to facilitate entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors, while strengthening U.S. border security. All United States, Canadian and Bermudian citizens are subject to the new requirements
For more information on U.S. Border requirements, visit the following sites:
www.travel.state.gov
www.getapassportnow.com
www.cbp.gov
www.GetYouHome.gov
Canadian Border wait times
Check current Canadian border
wait times.
WASHINGTON STATE TRAVEL ADVISORY
Due to the partial collapse of a four-lane freeway bridge over a river at Mount Vernon, Interstate 5 is closed in both directions south of Burlington and traffic is being diverted. Mount Vernon is about 60 miles north of Seattle and 40 miles south of the Canada Border.
I-5 is closed in both directions in Skagit County south of Burlington. There are several alternate routes in place for travel in both north and southbound directions. A detour is also in place to reach the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, the access point to the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island.
Northbound I-5 Detours
Northbound I-5 Primary Detour
Use exit 227 and follow signs east to State Route 538/East College Way, turn left onto Riverside Drive then left onto George Hopper Road and back to I-5.
Northbound I-5 Alternate Detour
Use exit 226 and follow signs west to State Route 536/East Kincaid Street. Continue on SR 536, then turn right onto SR 20 and back to I-5.
Southbound I-5 Detours
Southbound I-5 Primary Detour
Use exit 229 and follow signs east onto George Hopper Road. Next, head south on Riverside Drive/Burlington Boulevard, then turn right onto State Route 538/East College Way and back to I-5.
Southbound I-5 Alternate Detour
Use exit 230 and follow signs west to State Route 20/Avon Cutoff then south onto Avon Allen Road. From there, head east on State Route 536/Memorial Highway and back to I-5.
Trucks should not use this detour.
Anacortes Ferry Terminal Detour
Northbound I-5 Detour
Use exit 226 and follow signs west to State Route 536/East Kincaid Street. Continue on SR 536, then turn left onto SR 20 and follow signs to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal.
Ground Transportation Alternatives
Taking alternative land routes isn’t the only way to get where you need to go. If Bellingham is your destination, Amtrak has added a temporary special trip between Bellingham and Seattle, with stops in Mount Vernon, Stanwood, Everett and Edmonds. And Amtrak’s scheduled twice daily service connecting Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. has been unaffected. Both Kenmore Air and Clipper Vacations can get you to the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island, B.C. with ease.
Resources
For the latest information coming from the communities affected by this situation, visit experiencewa.com.
For updates on reroutes and the rebuild of the bridge, visit the Washington State Department of Transportation at wsdot.wa.gov/construction/pugetsound/today.htm.
Currency Exchange:
- Travelex Currency Services: locations at Sea-Tac Airport and in downtown Seattle at Westlake Center.
- Custom House Currency Exchange centers: Locations at Pier 69 (The Victoria Clipper terminal) and just north of Pioneer Square at 911 Western Avenue, Suite 399.
- Most banks are also able to exchange currencies
Currency Exchange
Converter