Options being considered for Lakewood congestion

Michael Powers of Stanwood writes: With all the new construction going in at the Smokey Point-Lakewood crossing area, the 172nd Street NE (Highway 531) overpass is going to get more congested.

I wonder if there is a plan to have 156th Street NE, where the new bridge over I-5 was recently built, connect westward over the railroad tracks to the streets on the other side.

This would be a tremendous outlet for many people in the area and would somewhat ease traffic to and from the Lakewood Crossing shopping center.

Jesse Hannahs, traffic engineer for Marysville, responds: An elevated crossing at the railroad tracks at 156th Street NE is part of the city’s long-term vision for road improvements in this area.

Alternate routes are likely to be necessary in the Lakewood Crossing area in the future. The construction of the I-5 overpass at 156th was the first step toward the city’s ultimate goal of an I-5 interchange at 156th, more street connections between 172nd and 156th, and a crossing over the railroad tracks to the west.

The next step is to do a study making the case for a new interchange. This study must ultimately be approved by the state Department of Transportation. The city is currently looking at ways to fund such a study.

The interchange is a high priority for the city and a reconnection of 156th Street NE over the tracks would likely be the final step in the plan.

Regarding development, builders in Marysville are required to perform traffic studies and pay for road improvements when the streets can’t handle the volume of cars according to city and state standards. Measures can include new lanes, traffic signals and roundabouts.

Judith Lowell of Everett writes: For many years, the tunnel of Highway 526 (Boeing Freeway) at Seaway Boulevard was a visual delight of beautiful yellow ceramic tiles. Sadly, this is no longer the case. The tiles are grimy with dirt and covered with graffiti.

Many of the visitors to Boeing from around the world travel through this now-ugly underpass. What agency might be responsible for removing the graffiti and grime in this underpass?

Tom Pearce, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, responds:

The transportation department is responsible for maintaining the tunnel from eastbound Highway 526 to northbound Seaway Boulevard, which provides access to Boeing’s Everett plant and the visitor center entrance, as well as many other businesses in the area.

When the tunnel gets dirty, the department brings in its tunnel washer. Maintenance supervisor Todd Jones said maintenance crews will use the tunnel washer to clean the walls, then will follow up to remove any additional graffiti that remains.

Maintenance crews now are on winter schedules to be available around the clock in case of inclement weather. This limits their availability to do this type of work, but the tunnel should be cleaned in the next month, Jones said.

E-mail us at streetsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your city of residence.

Look for updates on our Street Smarts blog at www.heraldnet.com/streetsmarts.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Traffic idles while waiting for the lights to change along 33rd Avenue West on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood seeks solutions to Costco traffic boondoggle

Let’s take a look at the troublesome intersection of 33rd Avenue W and 30th Place W, as Lynnwood weighs options for better traffic flow.

A memorial with small gifts surrounded a utility pole with a photograph of Ariel Garcia at the corner of Alpine Drive and Vesper Drive ion Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Death of Everett boy, 4, spurs questions over lack of Amber Alert

Local police and court authorities were reluctant to address some key questions, when asked by a Daily Herald reporter this week.

The new Amazon fulfillment center under construction along 172nd Street NE in Arlington, just south of Arlington Municipal Airport. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20210708
Frito-Lay leases massive building at Marysville business park

The company will move next door to Tesla and occupy a 300,0000-square-foot building at the Marysville business park.

Bothell
Man gets 75 years for terrorizing exes in Bothell, Mukilteo

In 2021, Joseph Sims broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home in Bothell and assaulted her. He went on a crime spree from there.

Allan and Frances Peterson, a woodworker and artist respectively, stand in the door of the old horse stable they turned into Milkwood on Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Old horse stall in Index is mini art gallery in the boonies

Frances and Allan Peterson showcase their art. And where else you can buy a souvenir Index pillow or dish towel?

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Voters to decide on levies for Arlington fire, Lakewood schools

On Tuesday, a fire district tries for the fourth time to pass a levy and a school district makes a change two months after failing.

Everett
Red Robin to pay $600K for harassment at Everett location

A consent decree approved Friday settles sexual harassment and retaliation claims by four victims against the restaurant chain.

A Tesla electric vehicle is seen at a Tesla electric vehicle charging station at Willow Festival shopping plaza parking lot in Northbrook, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. A Tesla driver who had set his car on Autopilot was “distracted” by his phone before reportedly hitting and killing a motorcyclist Friday on Highway 522, according to a new police report. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Tesla driver on Autopilot caused fatal Highway 522 crash, police say

The driver was reportedly on his phone with his Tesla on Autopilot on Friday when he crashed into Jeffrey Nissen, killing him.

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother pleads not guilty in stabbing death of Ariel Garcia, 4

Janet Garcia, 27, appeared in court Monday unrestrained, in civilian clothes. A judge reduced her bail to $3 million.

magniX employees and staff have moved into the company's new 40,000 square foot office on Seaway Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Everett, Washington. magniX consolidated all of its Australia and Redmond operations under one roof to be home to the global headquarters, engineering, manufacturing and testing of its electric propulsion systems.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Harbour Air plans to buy 50 electric motors from Everett company magniX

One of the largest seaplane airlines in the world plans to retrofit its fleet with the Everett-built electric propulsion system.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Driver arrested in fatal crash on Highway 522 in Maltby

The driver reportedly rear-ended Jeffrey Nissen as he slowed down for traffic. Nissen, 28, was ejected and died at the scene.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
3 charged with armed home invasion in Mountlake Terrace

Elan Lockett, Rodney Smith and Tyler Taylor were accused of holding a family at gunpoint and stealing their valuables in January.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.