Street Smarts

Shoppers cross Alderwood Mall Parkway after leaving the mall and walking through its parking lot on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Alderwood mall lot, already a squeeze, may soon see more foot traffic

Alderwood mall is a popular destination in Snohomish County. But getting into the mall isn’t as easy as it sounds.

 

The I-5, Highway 529 and the BNSF railroad bridges cross over Union Slough as the main roadways for north and southbound traffic between Everett and Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Highway 529 to close for months between Everett, Marysville

North of Everett, repairs of the old bridges along Highway 529 will be in full swing by February.

 

Riders wait to board as a southbound Swift Blue Line bus arrives at the stop on Pacific Avenue on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Zero emissions by 2044 part of Community Transit’s long-range plan

The transit agency’s “Journey 2050” report gazes 25 years into the future, touching on ambitious goals with light rail arriving.

 

Trooper Heather Axtman talks to local residents hoping to get an escort into Index on Monday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Gold Bar, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).

When driving in snow and ice, sometimes it’s worth it to ‘stay home’

As temperatures dip, sometimes staying safe means not driving at all — a lesson this columnist learned one night on a Montana highway.

Trooper Heather Axtman talks to local residents hoping to get an escort into Index on Monday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Gold Bar, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).
Beaches and hiking trails at Deception Pass State Park are a 20-minute walk from the Island Transit bus stop near the park entrance on Highway 20 on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

From Mukilteo to Deception Pass on $6, bagel not included

Newsflash: In Island County, bus rides are free. Traveling the length of Whidbey Island can be an ideal winter day-trip.

Beaches and hiking trails at Deception Pass State Park are a 20-minute walk from the Island Transit bus stop near the park entrance on Highway 20 on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Sound Transit CEO exits, creating vacancy at pivotal moment for Link

After a little over a year, Julie Timm is leaving the regional public transit agency “to take care of family matters.”

A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A car drives over newly marked bike lanes at the intersection of College Avenue and 47th Street SE on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Stop sign change in Everett shines light on neighborhood traffic safety

A project on 47th Street SE aims to add safe bike lanes on lightly used roads. It’s been a test for drivers’ muscle memory.

A car drives over newly marked bike lanes at the intersection of College Avenue and 47th Street SE on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A car signals to take a right turn onto Mukilteo Boulevard while a red light is showing on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In Everett, right turns on red go under the microscope

Research suggests limiting right turns on red saves lives. Seattle and other metro areas have begun banning the turns.

A car signals to take a right turn onto Mukilteo Boulevard while a red light is showing on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
An Orca card on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

ORCA card makes transit simpler — and cheaper, too

Following an article about a trip from Everett to Sea-Tac, readers wrote in with one resounding suggestion: Get an ORCA card.

An Orca card on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
People board a bus at the Canyon Park Park & Ride Swift Green Line stop in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Swift bus lines expanding in Bothell, Marysville, Arlington

Community Transit is extending its Swift Green line to south Bothell, part of a big-picture plan to connect people to light rail.

People board a bus at the Canyon Park Park & Ride Swift Green Line stop in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Jordan Hansen pauses to read the Link light rail map at Northgate Station on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

For first-timer, getting from Everett to Sea-Tac for $6 proves simple

Herald reporter Jordan Hansen is taking over the Street Smarts column. For his first dispatch, he rode the Link.

Jordan Hansen pauses to read the Link light rail map at Northgate Station on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Daily Herald says farewell to Street Smarts columnist and transportation reporter Ben Watanabe.

Street Smarts columnist signs off from a dream job

Columnist and Everett local Ben Watanabe reflects on the lessons learned from over 3 years covering transportation.

The Daily Herald says farewell to Street Smarts columnist and transportation reporter Ben Watanabe.
A car drives west on Madison Street past new bike lane curbs on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett bike lanes’ white curb, paint confuse drivers on Madison

A reader asked for better warning about short curbs at Madison Street and Evergreen Way. Flexible posts are coming.

A car drives west on Madison Street past new bike lane curbs on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Culvert replacement under 128th Street SE and Highway 96 near McCollum Park in Martha Lake, Washington on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Drivers must reroute so salmon have a better commute near Mill Creek

This weekend, lanes on 128th Street SE and Highway 96 will be closed west of Dumas Road and Elgin Way for culvert replacement.

Culvert replacement under 128th Street SE and Highway 96 near McCollum Park in Martha Lake, Washington on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A pickup truck without a mounted front plate is parked in a parking lot Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. The state of Washington requires front and rear plates with few exceptions. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Reader: Are more drivers removing license plates?

State patrol traffic stop data doesn’t show a significant increase in plate or registration infractions.

A pickup truck without a mounted front plate is parked in a parking lot Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. The state of Washington requires front and rear plates with few exceptions. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A cyclist from the Centennial Trail tries to navigate through traffic backed up on Dubuque Road turning onto Machias Road on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Changes ‘queued up’ for intersection at Dubuque, South Machias

Snohomish County Public Works is set to begin a study of intersection improvements near Lake Stevens.

A cyclist from the Centennial Trail tries to navigate through traffic backed up on Dubuque Road turning onto Machias Road on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cars stop and go around the intersections of Lowell Larimer, Marsh and Seattle Hill roads in Snohomish, Washington on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

No changes planned for rural roads near Mill Creek, Snohomish

Larimers Corner has two intersections close together that can get busy during the eastbound afternoon commute.

Cars stop and go around the intersections of Lowell Larimer, Marsh and Seattle Hill roads in Snohomish, Washington on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A truck pulls out onto US-2 from Main Street on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As Sultan grows, city backs a 4-lane highway with roundabouts

Already the state is in the early design stage for a U.S. 2 roundabout to replace the signal at Fern Bluff and Old Owen roads.

A truck pulls out onto US-2 from Main Street on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Drivers navigate through traffic at the intersection of Highway 9 and SR-204 on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Dry, warm weather means Snohomish County road work galore

Highway 9 is set for closures and detours in June in Lake Stevens and Marysville. The county is resurfacing 59 miles of roads.

Drivers navigate through traffic at the intersection of Highway 9 and SR-204 on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vehicles turn onto the ramp to head north on I-5 from 41st Street in the afternoon on Friday, June 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Faded 41st Street lane markings eyed for refresh next year

A reader asked about the I-5 interchange lane striping after reportedly seeing lots of driver confusion.

Vehicles turn onto the ramp to head north on I-5 from 41st Street in the afternoon on Friday, June 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)