Question: Adding on- and offramps where 136th Street NE crosses I-5 north of Marysville seems like the most cost-effective way to reduce congestion on both 172nd Street NE and 116th Street NE.
We need projects that give us the most bang for our buck! What do you think?
Rick Carroll, Lakewood
Answer: A new on- and offramp between 116th Street NE and 172nd Street NE has been discussed as a possible solution for improving road conditions in that area. A sound, long-term solution involves improvements to local streets, good land use planning and improvement to I-5.
Fourth Street, 88th Street NE, 116th Street NE and 172nd Street NE all need to be fixed.
We have projects and money to fix 172nd Street NE. Just to the south, 116th Street NE will have a fix coming in the near future – if money for the interchange improvement can be secured. Even 88th Street NE is being looked at for low-cost widening.
Fourth Street, the interchange with the biggest congestion problem, also has to be looked at soon.
While putting in new on- and offramps at 136th Street NE is one of the many solutions that will be evaluated, we do need to fix the existing problem areas first.
Improvements to Fourth Street should be high on our list as this important roadway serves as the main connection into the city of Marysville.
Dongho Chang, DOT traffic engineer
Question: The intersection of 116th Street SE and Highway 527 – help!
I ride a motorcycle and waited for eight light changes to go south before finally running it. Usually, this is a busy enough intersection that a car will pull up behind me and “help me” trigger the light.
I realize that all of this is under construction, but the light at 128th Street SE and Highway 527 turning north is the same. Even with a car in front of me we waited for three light changes. This was at midnight.
I work 12-hour shifts and I want to go home!
Joyce Lewis, Everett
Answer: We’ll check out the lights to make sure the vehicle sensors are working correctly.
Dongho Chang, DOT traffic engineer
Question: Is there a plan to install a left-turn traffic signal at the intersection of 172nd Street NE and Shoultes Road in Arlington?
With all the traffic turning left from 172nd Street NE, there have been many close calls. It’s a very dangerous spot.
Mark Stout, Arlington
Answer: It has been several years since we reviewed this intersection for a left-turn light. At that time, we found there were plenty of gaps for turning traffic to make it through without a left-turn light. We’ll take another look to determine if the left-turn light is now needed.
Dongho Chang, DOT traffic engineer
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