Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will begin work the week of April 13 to improve traffic flow through Highway 99 and Airport Road in Everett, where more than 35,000 vehicles pass through on an average day.
The $790,000 project, paid from existing funds, will shrink the size of two traffic islands to create a bus-only through lane on Highway 99. When complete, about 150 Community Transit buses each day will be able to proceed through the intersection in the right lane. Cars and trucks also could use the lane if they are turning right onto Airport Road.
“Right now, buses need to merge into a through lane, then move back to the right immediately after the intersection to reach their stops,” project engineer Mark Sawyer said. “After we redesign these islands, the dedicated lane for buses will create more room for all the other vehicles that use this intersection every day.”
The city of Everett also is pitching in, using federal grant money to add new curb ramps, pedestrian signals with audible tones, improved lighting and upgraded intersection markings.
Detours for both pedestrians and drivers will be in place at times during construction. Drivers can expect lane closures 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. weeknights.
The project is expected to take six weeks.
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