Final work on interchange between I-5 and Highway 531 waiting for warm weather

Robert Dietz of Arlington writes: Who is responsible for, and when will the repaving of 172nd Street NE be completed? Why has the completion been allowed to be abandoned for so long? I am referring to the section from just west of the Costco shopping complex, extending east to Smokey Point Boulevard. There have been numerous lane configurations that are currently dangerously confusing. The lines are faint and cannot be seen during night driving, and the road surfaces are uneven and choppy. In all, it presents a dangerous mess.

Amir Ahmadi, project engineer for the state Department of Transportation, responds: We are making great progress on the I-5-Highway 531 interchange improvement project and are on track to finish work this summer, about six months ahead of our original schedule. We need warm, dry weather to complete final paving and striping on the project, so that work is scheduled for this spring. When the final layer of pavement is completed, drivers will notice a much smoother ride, as well as fresh striping, throughout the interchange. In the meantime, our crews have installed temporary reflectors where possible to make the lane striping more visible.

Alex Link of Everett writes: With the closure of the Puget Park Drive-In, and the sale of the land to Swedish Health Services to construct a standalone emergency room, I am wondering how the congested 128th Street SW and 164th Street SW corridors are going to handle the ambulances. If you are trying to go eastbound from the 128th off ramp it is packed with cars that will take about two to three cycles before you are even on 128th and from that point you are on a two-lane road with a median. The same goes for anyone traveling northbound and getting off on 164th to head east, that road is packed as well. You have to try and fight your way over to the far left lane to travel onto Meadow Road which with all the traffic is a difficult process. With all this traffic it is difficult for anyone to try and maneuver to the right to let emergency vehicles pass them, and with the median, the vehicles cannot drive in the opposite direction lanes. I am wondering if there was a traffic impact study of the area to find out how that would impact daily drivers, and also the patients who need the care?

Snohomish County engineer Owen Carter responds: A traffic study was prepared that analyzed the number of new vehicle trips the proposed project will generate and the impact these trips will have on the county road system. It is anticipated that a limited number of emergency vehicles will use this facility per day. State law (RCW 46.61.210) requires drivers to immediately yield to any emergency vehicle and move as far right as possible until the emergency vehicle has passed. Also, emergency vehicles may be equipped with a device that turns a traffic signal green when the vehicle approaches, allowing it to proceed.

E-mail Street Smarts at stsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your city of residence.

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