Street smarts
Published 9:00 pm Sunday, February 13, 2005
Question: While driving south on the Mukilteo Speedway from Mukilteo toward Highway 99, there is now a barrier that won’t allow the 200 and some residents who live in Carriage Club Estates to enter at the mobile home park’s west entrance.
At the next street crossing, Lincoln Way, there is a traffic light that has a left turn lane and left turn traffic light.
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Is it legal to make a U-turn at this location? This would make it easier to enter Carriage Club Estates. There is not a “no U-turn” sign there.
Jerry Hofferber, Everett
Answer: Yes, it’s legal to make a U-turn at the Lincoln Way intersection. U-turns are illegal only when a posted sign bans the maneuver.
Dongho Chang, Department of Transportation traffic engineer
Question: Will there ever be a stop light at Highway 9 and 164th Street SE in the Clearview area? It has become dangerous to turn left from 164th Street SE to Highway 9, especially during rush hour.
Mary Katona, Snohomish
Answer: Good news: Yes, there will be a traffic light at this intersection. Construction is scheduled to start in December 2007.
Myly Posse, Department of Transportation spokeswoman
Question: While it is a good idea, is it the law that you must use your turn signal if you are in a dedicated turn lane?
Judy Oberg, Everett
Answer: State law requires turn signals to be used if a driver plans to “turn a vehicle or move right or left upon a roadway.” No exception is made for vehicles using dedicated lanes.
In fact, state law specifically says that drivers making left-hand turns from a designated center lane need to signal their intended direction.
Capt. Greg Lineberry, Everett Police Department
Question: With all the improvements being made to Old Owen Road in Monroe, many of us in the immediate neighborhood would like to see a guardrail or barrier along the Monroe Golf Course.
Although many trees have been removed along the south side of the road, which should help prevent icy conditions on the road, there is no protection from the north side of the road, which is a steep slope.
If a car were to go off the road there, it would be a certain death for the occupants. It seems like it would be relatively inexpensive to add a guardrail, certainly in relation to the other roadwork being done in the area.
Teresa Allen-Martin, Monroe
Answer: This location is on our guardrail priority list. It’s possible one will be built this year.
Jim Bloodgood, traffic engineer, Snohomish County Public Works Department
