Commuters discovering traffic relief on I-5

EVERETT — As if the continuing rise in gas prices wasn’t incentive enough, commuters have another reason to start carpooling in Everett.

The state has finished widening I-5 with new carpool lanes between the Snohomish River and Highway 526. All the new ramps are open as well, improving traffic flow along the busy freeway. Some minor work is left to do, but the $263 million project is set to wrap up this summer.

That’s the most expensive highway project in Snohomish County’s history and the third most expensive one in the state’s history.

Crews have come a long way since they began widening the freeway in September 2005. State lawmakers expedited the project in preparation for heavy traffic during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.