Phyllis Henshaw of Everett asks: Often there is a very long line of cars on Bickford Avenue waiting to make a left-hand turn onto U.S. 2. Will there ever be a light installed at that intersection?
Meghan Pembroke, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation, responds: We share the reader’s concern about improving safety and traffic flow on U.S. 2 at Bickford Avenue near Snohomish. This year we received $2 million in federal funding to design an improvement for this intersection, but we do not yet have money for construction.
Our engineers are designing an overpass and on-ramp for drivers heading from northbound Bickford Avenue to westbound U.S. 2. This would allow drivers to safely merge with westbound U.S. 2 traffic without having to turn across fast-moving highway traffic.
Installing a traffic signal on U.S. 2 at Bickford Avenue would likely lead to further safety problems. Drivers would not expect a traffic signal at this location, because this stretch of U.S. 2 operates more like a two-lane freeway. Vehicles on the highway at this location are moving at high speeds, and a signal would increase the risk of serious rear-end collisions. Installing a signal would also not eliminate the risk of T-bone collisions, because drivers could still run the red light.
Gene Bennett of Everett asks: What is taking so long to finish the improvements at Broadway and Everett Avenue? The contractor there tore up all four corners and now seems to have abandoned the project.
Dongho Chang, traffic engineer for the city of Everett, responds: The city is working with the contractor to finish the project by Aug. 10. This project encountered a number of unfortunate difficulties by the contractor, which has affected drivers significantly longer than we anticipated. Our construction managers are enforcing the contract to minimize continuing disruption and complete the project.
Duane Dow of Everett asks: When traveling northbound on Fourth Avenue W. just past Evergreen Way, there is a sign that reads, “No commercial vehicles, except transit and local deliveries” or something to that effect. Coming from the opposite direction that starts as Fifth Avenue W., there is no such sign. I have seen increased dump trucks, double dump trucks and even large semi trucks going both directions. Are they supposed to be using this as a travel route or not, since it only has a sign on one end and that one isn’t very prominent?
Dongho Chang, traffic engineer for the city of Everett, responds: Trucks are permitted on this route and we will remove the sign. The sign was installed more than 10 years ago when the roadway was narrow and truck traffic could not safely travel from W. Casino Road to Everett Mall Way. We have widened and improved this connection for truck traffic and the sign is no longer needed.
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