Kerry’s visit only briefly stalls traffic

EVERETT – John Kerry’s motorcade caused few traffic tie-ups as he was whisked from Paine Field up I-5 to the Everett Events Center.

Traffic backed up from Highway 526 to just north of I-405 as state troopers closed onramps and held traffic back from the motorcade.

There also were reports that drivers were turning around and going the wrong way on the onramps to avoid the backup, Washington State Patrol Trooper Lance Ramsay said.

“Those people likely were not paying attention and probably thought the freeway was going to be shut down for a long time,” Ramsay said.

Otherwise, I-5 was smooth sailing just minutes after Kerry passed by, Ramsay said. In Everett, Pacific Avenue had little traffic and the blocks around the events center were easily navigated.

“These things usually go very quickly, and it’s a lot safer and easier than shutting down every side street and driveway on Evergreen Way,” Ramsay said.

Traffic flowed without impediment on Broadway outside the events center until just a few minutes before Kerry’s arrival, when police officers began directing motorists.

Around 5:45 p.m., several officers on motorcycles arrived on Broadway and turned into the events center, followed by officers in cars, a line of the Kerry campaign’s dark-colored SUVs, and dozens more motorcycle officers.

No problems were reported following the event.

Herald reporters Scott Morris, Diana Hefley and Bill Sheets contributed to this story.