Why a ‘perfectly good’ U.S. 2 offramp was replaced

Sue Cozzens of Snohomish writes: Living close to the Bickford Avenue junction with U.S. 2, I watched the building of the new overpass from Bickford Avenue to the westbound highway. It will be nice to glide onto U.S. 2 instead of being stuck in the backup whenever I need to head to Everett.

However, I don’t understand why tax dollars were spent on destroying and redoing of the previous, perfectly good offramp from eastbound U.S. 2 to Bickford Avenue. It was a smooth access, while the temporary ramp installed for use during construction required slowing down from highway speeds to make a sharp, almost 90-degree turn.

Since the purpose of the work was to install an overhead onramp to westbound U.S. 2, in a completely separate area from the offramp, why was the offramp disrupted and a green belt berm destroyed?

Kris Olsen, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation, responds: Several factors were taken into consideration during the design of the new U.S. 2-Bickford Avenue interchange. Although the overpass itself is the centerpiece, the design needed to encompass how the overpass, the eastbound exit and Bickford Avenue would operate together, rather than as three separate entities.

First, the new overpass is actually much higher in elevation than Bickford Avenue and the old ramp. As a result, we needed to ensure the connection from Bickford Avenue onto the new overpass involved a gradual change in elevation rather than a short steep hill. To create that gradual rise, the contractor had to begin construction several hundred feet to the south of U.S. 2 and the overpass. As a result, where the old ramp became Bickford Avenue had to be buried under several feet of fill. But that’s not the only reason a new eastbound exit was necessary.

The overpass and ramps were designed with an eye to the future. It allows for the eventual construction of a new westbound U.S. 2 offramp that would connect to the overpass. If that exit is built, the overpass will be converted to two-way traffic. Drivers exiting westbound could then turn left, cross the overpass and continue to Bickford Avenue. If we’d kept the old eastbound ramp in place, it would result in an awkward and difficult merge on Bickford. By designing an overpass with standard ramp connections, it reduces the amount of construction work and funding that will be needed for a future expansion.

Phil Sherritt of Tulalip writes: I frequently travel from Everett to Monroe via U.S. 2. I noticed that the onramps to both eastbound and westbound U.S. 2 from the 88th Street SE and Highway 9 overpasses have no signs telling merging drivers that they must yield to highway traffic. There are directional signs that show the drivers that their lane merges into a single lane, but not specifically say to yield.

I have seen many instances where drivers with the right of way have to apply the brakes for others who are merging. Should yield signs be installed?

Tom Pearce, a spokesman for the transportation department, responds: Generally speaking, yield signs are installed only for a freeway merge where drivers must accelerate quickly in a short distance.

The acceleration length allows entering traffic to reach freeway speed and negotiate gaps in the freeway traffic. At the Highway 9 and 88th Street SE onramps to U.S. 2, the distances exceed the minimum requirement.

Also the state’s traffic law does not assign right-of-way responsibility at a freeway merge point. Merging is considered an equal and shared responsibility between the ramp driver and the motorists already on the freeway. Safe and efficient merging relies in large measure on driver cooperation and common sense.

People already on the freeway or highway need to be considerate of merging drivers. At both the Highway 9 and 88th Street SE ramps there are merge warning signs installed to help remind the mainline driver to adjust speed and accommodate merging traffic ahead.

The ramp driver has a role to play as well. A driver on the ramp should adjust his or her speed to match the prevailing speed of the highway traffic flow, then use a turn signal and merge into the best available gap in traffic. Drivers should be prudent, but not too timid and should not come to a stop on the ramp.

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.

Edmonds City Council members answer questions during an Edmonds City Council Town Hall on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds fire service faces expiration date, quandary about what’s next

South County Fire will end a contract with the city in late 2025, citing insufficient funds. Edmonds sees four options for its next step.

House Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, on the status of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
How Snohomish County lawmakers voted on TikTok ban, aid to Israel, Ukraine

The package includes a bill to ban TikTok if it stays in the hands of a Chinese company, which made one Everett lawmaker object.

A grizzly bear is seen on July 6, 2011 while roaming near Beaver Lake in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The National Park and U.S. Fish and Wildlife services have released a draft plan for reintroducing grizzlies into the North Cascades.
Grizzlies to return to North Cascades, feds confirm

Under the final plan announced Thursday, officials will release three to seven bears every year. They anticipate 200 in a century.

ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Mifthakof, left, shows Gov. Jay Inslee a hydrogen-powered motor during an event at ZeroAvia’s new Everett facility on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, near Paine Field in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
ZeroAvia’s new Everett center ‘a huge step in decarbonizing’ aviation

The British-American company, which is developing hydrogen-electric powered aircraft, expects one day to employ hundreds at the site.

"Unsellable Houses" hosts Lyndsay Lamb (far right) and Leslie Davis (second from right) show homes in Snohomish County to Randy and Gina (at left) on an episode of "House Hunters: All Stars" that airs Thursday. (Photo provided by HGTV photo)
Snohomish twin stars of HGTV’s ‘Unsellable Houses’ are on ‘House Hunters’

Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis show homes in Mountlake Terrace, Everett and Lynnwood in Thursday’s episode.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Oso man gets 1 year of probation for killing abusive father

Prosecutors and defense agreed on zero days in jail, citing documented abuse Garner Melum suffered at his father’s hands.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin steps back and takes in a standing ovation after delivering the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
In meeting, Everett mayor confirms Topgolf, Chicken N Pickle rumors

This month, the mayor confirmed she was hopeful Topgolf “would be a fantastic new entertainment partner located right next to the cinemas.”

Alan Edward Dean, convicted of the 1993 murder of Melissa Lee, professes his innocence in the courtroom during his sentencing Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bothell man gets 26 years in cold case murder of Melissa Lee, 15

“I’m innocent, not guilty. … They planted that DNA. I’ve been framed,” said Alan Edward Dean, as he was sentenced for the 1993 murder.

Gus Mansour works through timing with Jeff Olson and Steven Preszler, far right, during a rehearsal for the upcoming annual Elvis Challenge Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on April 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Hunka hunka: Elvis Challenge returns to Historic Everett Theatre May 4

The “King of Rock and Roll” died in 1977, but his music and sideburns live on with Elvis tribute artists.

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.