A new westbound trestle is years away. In the meantime, it’s a pretty bumpy ride.
“Most of those metal expansion joints appear to be real tire-chompers,” wrote Fabian Borowiecki, of Everett.
That’s not all.
“There are uncountable bumps, chuck hole patches, exposed expansion joints and dangerous on and off ramps,” wrote Eric Minnig, of Lake Stevens. “Is there a plan to re-pave this in the works, or is the state just going to let it decay and crumble in place?”
A smoother drive is coming.
The Washington State Department of Transportation plans a $7.8 million repaving project this summer. Lakeside Industries, of Monroe, was awarded the contract.
Crews will repave three miles of the westbound U.S. 2 lanes, from Bickford Avenue in Snohomish to the I-5 interchange, including what’s called the Hewitt Avenue trestle. The eastbound lanes will be resurfaced from the interchange with Highway 204 to Bickford Avenue.
The last time the stretch was paved was 2002. That asphalt is now beyond its average lifespan.
Construction will take place some time this summer, said Frances Fedoriska, a WSDOT spokeswoman. The schedule will likely include three full road closures and six partial closures. No major closures will occur on holiday weekends.
As for the expansion joints, those will be repaired, too.
“This means (drivers) will experience less of that ‘ba-boom ba-boom ba-boom’ noise they currently hear and feel,” Fedoriska said. “Repairing the joints also reduces the odds of WSDOT needing to suddenly shut down the trestle for emergency repairs.”
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