Highway 9 road work an 8-year project

Question: Can you tell me what they are doing regarding Highway 9 both north and south of Arlington? There is a lot of activity and I haven’t read a thing about what is going on.

Linda Plowman, Arlington

Answer: We will spend $287 million over eight years to transform Highway 9 in Snohomish County from a rural road into a wider and safer modern urban highway.

As part of that, we are getting ready for two major construction projects on Highway 9 north and south of Arlington.

Between Schloman Road and 268th Street NE, we’re adding turn lanes at 252nd Street NE and 268th Street NE. We’re also straightening the winding, uphill curve at Schloman Road. Work on this $19.9 million project will continue through fall 2009.

Just south of Arlington, we’re building new left-turn lanes on Highway 9 and a right-turn lane on eastbound Lauck Road/108th Street NE. This project finishes by this winter.

Patricia Michaud, a DOT spokeswoman

Headlights on or ticket

Question: The state and local agencies have chosen certain laws to focus their time and energies on, such as child car seats and restraints, seat belts and drunken driving, etc.

They should focus on enforcing the use of headlights when it’s gray out. According to the Department of Licensing Washington State Drivers’ Guide, “a vehicle’s headlights are to be used from a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise. They must also be used at any time conditions make it difficult to see people or other vehicles.”

There are so many instances when I’m driving and all of the sudden there is a car in my path, without its lights on, just waiting for an accident. Does law enforcement ever ticket motorists for not turning headlights on?

Brenda Lovejoy, Everett

Answer: Yes we ticket them. Many times when we stop a vehicle for not having its headlights on, especially at night, it turns out that the driver is DUI.

Trooper Kirk Rudeen, state patrol spokesman

Stop before right on red

Question: Why do the cars exiting I-5 at 172nd Street NE not stop when the light is red and they are turning right (east)?

Is this not a traffic violation? They keep exiting as if there was not a light and without even pausing to give the right of way.

The traffic with the green light going east and crossing over I-5 has to try to find a break in traffic (those illegally entering without stopping) when trying to change lanes to turn right.

Judy Moore, Marysville

Answer: They should be stopping at the red. You’re allowed to make a right-hand turn unless it’s specifically posted no right on red. They are supposed to come to a stop and be able to turn right.

If they turn without stopping, then that’s a violation. I’m not aware of it being a big problem.

I’ll pass along to the sergeant and troopers in that area that we’re getting complaints that people are not stopping.

Trooper Kirk Rudeen, state patrol spokesman

Ask us about traffic

Have a question about traffic or street rules around Snohomish and Island counties? We can help find an answer. E-mail Street Smarts at stsmarts@heraldnet.com.