Debate over signs for Everett I-5 offramp
Question: The northbound offramp from I-5 to 41st and Broadway needs to have a warning somewhere prior to the actual offramp. You are almost on the ramp before you see the sign telling you the right-hand lane is exit only and it can be very dangerous to attempt to move over to a through lane. We were nearly hit when we attempted to move over as someone was moving to the left-hand lane at the same time.
Arnold Carter, Monroe
Answer: Along this stretch of northbound I-5 there are four overhead highway signs alerting drivers to the approaching combined 41st and Broadway exit offramp. All of the signs direct drivers to the far-right lane to exit. The first sign is about two miles before the exit off-ramp. The second and third are located within one mile of the exit offramp. As the right lane of the highway merges into the exit offramp, a fourth sign notifies drivers that the far right lane is now the exit ramp for Broadway and 41st Street. After passing this sign, drivers have about 600 feet to safely change lanes and merge back onto I-5.
WSDOT spokesperson Patty Michaud
Speed limits, beer cans
Question: Is there any way to get more signs, street bumps or ANYTHING on Jim Creek Road about five miles east of Arlington and off the highway to Darrington? Most of Jim Creek Road is posted 45 mph but way too many drivers use the straight parts of this six-mile road as their own personal speedway. Even though we are way out in the country, I’m sick of these dangerous drivers, many of whom probably live on this road. Then there’s the problem with beer cans tossed onto the sides of the road, but I guess that’s another issue altogether.
Michele Heiderer, Arlington
Answer: Jim Creek Road serves a sparsely populated rural area northeast of Arlington. The daily traffic varies from about 2,000 vehicles a day near the intersection of Highway 530 to about 900 vehicles a day at the east end of the road.
The road has appropriate signs and 45 mph speed limit signs are posted every 1 1/2 miles. One speed limit sign is missing for eastbound traffic and will be replaced. Surveys show speeds are quite near the posted limit near the west end of the road but increase significantly farther east.
The use of speed bumps is restricted in Snohomish County to residential, local access roads with speed limits of 30 mph or less. The goal is to discourage short-cutting traffic through neighborhoods. It would be an inappropriate use on Jim Creek Road.
Since the road only has access at Highway 530, the writer is probably correct that people who speed on this road are most likely the people who live in the area. It would be most appropriate if the residents in this area were self-policing and would drive the road as it is posted. However, we have alerted the sheriff’s office of the situation on this road and residents should not be surprised by an increased enforcement effort in the area.
Again, it is most likely the local residents littering the road and it would be most appropriate for the local residents to be self-policing in this matter. Our road maintenance crews have been informed of the trash situation and will address the issue as time allows.
Jim Bloodgood, Snohomish County traffic engineer
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