Clearing up unclear signs
Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 21, 2016
You never know until you ask.
Will Brandt, of Marysville, wrote in with two sign-related questions about state roadways.
First up… “Along southbound I-5 through the Everett area, there are two signs that provide the mileage to Lynnwood (as well as Seattle). Where does the WSDOT consider to be Lynnwood? Based on my calculations, the mileage on the signs puts you somewhere around Mountlake Terrace, not the main 196th Street exit for Lynnwood,” Brandt said.
Tom Pearce, a spokesman for the Washington State Department of Transportation, wrote back: “I’ve had the same question as Mr. Brandt for a long time, but I was never curious enough to check on my own. The distance posted on interstate signs is based on the distance to a specific location in a city, usually what’s considered the city center or city hall, not a freeway interchange.”
Next up… “Another question I had was about the signs along I-405 at Canyon Park,” Brandt said. “A couple of the signs indicate the exit is for ‘North SR 527,’ even though SR 527 cuts through Canyon Park, not starting at Canyon Park. I’m wondering whether the word ‘North’ should be removed from those signs, since you can take that exit to head south into downtown Bothell.”
Pearce said the signs are correct, and a little bit of history provides the reason: “In 2009, the city of Bothell petitioned the state to take over the section of SR 527 between SR 522/Bothell Way and I-405. In 2011 the state Legislature approved an agreement with the city, turning over that part of the road to Bothell. That agreement moved the start of SR 527 to the north side of the I-405 interchange. South of I-405 the road’s official name is the Bothell-Everett Highway, and it’s maintained by the city.”
Have a question? Email us at streetsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your first and last name and city of residence. Look for updates on the Street Smarts blog.
