Want to weigh in on how congestion can be reduced on the freeways?

Want to sound off on how money would be best spent to improve transportation, or about how the state can overcome the shortfall in ferry funding?

There’s a new place to do it. The state Transportation Commission has launched Voice of Washington State, an online forum and survey site. The website will give people a chance to communicate about important transportation issues, with each other and with the state’s powers-that-be.

The site creates a new tool for the state to gauge public opinion, according to Reema Griffith, the commission’s executive director.

Until now, “the primary community input tool has been public meetings,” she said in a statement.

“The online tools remove the distance and travel barriers inherent to public meetings. This increases the opportunity for everyone — no matter where they live — to participate and share their views.”

Topics for discussion include highways, passenger and freight trains, planes, buses, ferries, and barges. The governor and Legislature will be briefed on the ideas and information generated through the forums and surveys, Griffith said.

The Transportation Commission is a panel of seven members appointed by the governor. The commission sets long-term transportation policy and acts as the state Tolling Authority, with the power to approve tolls for state highways and bridges and fares for the ferries.

To participate, go to www.voiceofwashington state.org.

Everett streets to be repaved

Thirteen of Everett’s roads are scheduled for a spruce-up by city crews over the next two months.

Repaving work begins Monday and will extend through September, depending on good weather.

Major streets for which work is scheduled include Broadway from 12th Street to 15th Street and 18th to 20th; Pacific Avenue from Rucker Avenue to Colby Avenue, and 79th Place SE from Beverly Lane to Evergreen Way.

Work on these streets will take place at night to reduce traffic disruption.

The city’s contractor, Granite Construction, is responsible for notifying homes and businesses along the routes. Signs will be posted to advise travelers of parking restrictions, detours and street closures. A precise schedule was not released.

The other streets scheduled for repairs are:

Lombard Avenue from Wall Street to 33rd Street and 36th Street to 37th Street

Hoyt Avenue from 32nd Street to 35th Street

34th Street from Snohomish Avenue to Laurel Drive

35th Street from Snohomish Avenue to Bell Avenue

Grand Avenue from 41st Street SE to 43rd Street SE

Vesper Drive from College Avenue to Sperry Lane

47th Street SE from Rucker Avenue to Colby Avenue

Colby Avenue from 55th Street SE to 62nd Street SE

Sound Avenue from West Mukilteo Boulevard to 56th Street SW

E. Casino Road from 7th Avenue SE to Bruin Boulevard

Seventh Avenue SE from 92nd Street SE to SW Everett Mall Way

Olympic Avenue 200 feet east and 200 feet west of Lower Howarth Park

Lower Howarth Park Access Road from Olympic Avenue northerly to end of roadway

The work will include grinding and removal of old asphalt; installation of new traffic signal detection wires; adjustment of manholes, catch basins and utility boxes, and repaving and restriping of roadways.

For more information, go to www.everettwa.org/ or call 425-257-8700.

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