EVERETT — Traffic was miserable Tuesday, thanks to security for the visiting Chinese president. And it’s going to be miserable again on Wednesday.
But driving the wrong way on I-5 isn’t going to help.
One of the consequences of a visiting head of state — China’s president, Xi Jinping — is that the security arrangements require a motorcade and shutting down the freeways.
Also for security reasons: No one is telling anyone what routes the visiting president will take on his three-day tour around the region.
Case in point was Tuesday, when President Xi landed at Paine Field at 9:04 a.m., was hustled into a waiting motorcade and was off to Seattle at 9:49 a.m.
The Washington State Patrol shut down the Boeing Freeway and southbound I-5 so Xi could experience the Potemkin village of empty freeways and no speed limits.
Pity the poor commuter stuck on the wrong side of the roadblock.
South of the 41st Street on-ramp in Everett, some drivers who hit the roadblock elected to make an illegal U-turn into the southbound HOV vehicle lanes to head back north to Broadway.
Not only is such a maneuver dangerous, it carries a hefty fine, said state trooper Mark Francis: $423 for driving the wrong way on a freeway.
Nonetheless, anywhere from 25 to 50 vehicles tried to do just that, and it would have taken too much time for the trooper on duty there to ticket them all.
“All he could do is stop (them) and turn them around,” Francis said.
The State Patrol has been stretched thin, he added, with fewer personnel in general due to attrition and retirements. Dispatching troopers to escort the motorcade, to staff the roadblocks and to do their primary job of patrolling the state highways was a challenge.
On Wednesday, drivers should expect more traffic snarls as Xi makes his way around the region. The state Department of Transportation has encouraged drivers to stay home, if possible, and to allow for significantly more time if they have to venture out.
But without knowing the route the motorcade will take in advance, everyone will just have to play it by ear, and be patient if they get stuck.
“The State Patrol plans to station troopers on some overpasses Wednesday making sure no one goes the wrong way,” Francis said.
Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
