It was probably in Revelations. “When the wee horseless carriage can only be satiated with 50 shekels or more, ye shall know the end is nigh.”
In other words, it’s costing nigh on 50 bucks to fill a 11-gallon gas tank — and the price keeps rising.
Heaven save the RV vacationer. A sweet Fleetwood $276,000 ride can carry 125 gallons of diesel.
That costs $610 a tank around these parts. At least you can angle for the free car wash with the first eight gallons.
Broken traffic signals
Question: Since I drive for a living I notice a number of intersections that have sensors that malfunction. Is there a specific phone number to report these malfunctioning lights?
Scott Eiler, Marysville, Community Transit bus driver
Answer: The state Department of Transportation can take reports about a malfunctioning highway traffic signal or questions about signal timing at 206-440-4490.
Light near Lake Stevens
Question: I’d like to know why a light has not been installed at the intersection of Highway 204 and 10th Street SE in east Everett? Just about any time of the day and particularly during rush hour periods it is nearly impossible to take a left on to Highway 204 without simply risking your life with two lanes heading toward Frontier Village and one lane heading toward the trestle all going 55 to 65 mph.
Janet Lee, Snohomish
Answer: That intersection is on the list to have a traffic signal installed when funding becomes available. The WSDOT will continue to closely monitor the intersection.
Mike Mansfield, WSDOT traffic engineer
Ramp to U.S. 2 dangerous
Question: Is there going to be better access to the U.S. 2 trestle off ramp from northbound I-5? During the evening rush hour is it downright dangerous to attempt to merge before the gore point near Pacific. My wife will no longer take this off ramp because of the number of near misses since the change.
Greg Rivett, Snohomish
Answer: As part of the $263 million I-5 Everett HOV freeway expansion project, we have added an HOV lane and a merging/auxiliary lane from 41st Street to U.S. 2 to help alleviate congestion in this area. However, northbound I-5 continues to be congested at U.S. 2 and improving this interchange was not part of the project. WSDOT is re-evaluating the U.S. 2 entrance ramps from Hewitt Avenue and northbound and southbound I-5 to see if any adjustments, such as restriping the ramps, will improve the merge. In the meantime, congestion on U.S. 2 will continue to affect I-5 traffic until we have the funding to widen U.S. 2 to better handle growing traffic volumes.
The congested roadways north and east of the I-5 Everett HOV freeway expansion project area can only be improved once more funding becomes available. Until then, the congestion on these roads will continue to affect traffic flow on I-5. We ask drivers to be mindful as they transition into these older sections of highway and allow other motorists space to change lanes or merge.
Patricia Michaud, WSDOT spokesperson
Ask about traffic
Have a question about traffic or street rules? E-mail stsmarts@ heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
