Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell, second from right, and Rep. Rick Larsen, right, cut a ribbon during a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the 196th Street SW Improvement Project near the 196th and 44th Ave West intersection in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell, second from right, and Rep. Rick Larsen, right, cut a ribbon during a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the 196th Street SW Improvement Project near the 196th and 44th Ave West intersection in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Lynnwood celebrates nearly $50 million project on 196th Street

Officials hope improvements will help turn the area into a hub for housing and businesses and solve traffic problems.

LYNNWOOD — A nearly $50 million 1-mile stretch of road now runs through Lynnwood.

On Tuesday, local and federal officials cut the ribbon on the 196th Street SW project that essentially widened the road and updated water, power and other infrastructure to make building in the area more appealing to developers. The stretch of rebuilt road sees 40,000 to 50,000 vehicles daily.

The updates are part of Lynnwood’s broader goals to turn the area into a hub for housing and businesses as part of its City Center project. Lynnwood’s future light rail station will sit just south of 196th Street. Projections say Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link could have around 47,000 riders by 2026.

Mayor Christine Frizzell said it’s a big change from the road she grew up knowing.

“One-ninety-sixth is a conduit that links and connects our city’s economic centers and will continue to serve as a hub for Lynnwood and our region as we grow and expand in the coming years,” she said Tuesday.

Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the 196th Street SW Improvement Project near the 196th and 44th Ave West intersection in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the 196th Street SW Improvement Project near the 196th and 44th Ave West intersection in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Beginning in 2020, construction on the road caused snarling backups. Work finished this year. There are now seven lanes of traffic, up from the previous five. Two lanes are reserved for buses and making right turns on each side of the road.

Drivers will have four lanes to drive in. The road was widened up to 30 feet in some places, along with other improvements, like larger sidewalks and a planted roadway median.

City officials were excited about the center median they hope will prevent serious crashes and add some greenery in contrast with the asphalt. Drivers will also find they can no longer turn left across several lanes of traffic, which was also planned with the goal of reducing crashes.

Drivers will have to make a U-turn to get to businesses on the other side of the road.

People involved with the project raise their hands during a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the 196th Street SW Improvement Project near the 196th and 44th Ave West intersection in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

People involved with the project raise their hands during a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the 196th Street SW Improvement Project near the 196th and 44th Ave West intersection in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

The project was funded with local, state and federal funds. About $20 million came from the city, another $17 million from state grants and $9 million from federal dollars.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, pushed for the federal money as the lead Democrat on the House Transportation Committee.

“I’m focused on long-term federal investment that creates more jobs and builds a cleaner, greener, safer and more accessible transportation system and we’re not done,” Larsen said. “Every day, not just today, but every day is infrastructure day in Lynnwood.”

The improved road is expected to open up the area to further development. In 2019, the expectation was that 15,000 more jobs could be created by improving the street. An expensive part of the project was the Snohomish County Public Utility District burying electrical lines under the road. Sewer and water lines were replaced.

“When these properties redevelop and they go up to six, 10 stories, this will already all be in the ground waiting for them,” City Engineer David Mach said. “They will just tie into these connection points instead of having to upgrade up and down the road.”

People walk near the 196th and 44th Ave West intersection in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

People walk near the 196th and 44th Ave West intersection in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

To perform the work, the city also had to obtain easements up and down 196th Street. This included the city using eminent domain to obtain some of the property needed. Acquisitions ranged from 5 feet to up to 15 feet.

Planning for the project began around 2005, said Mach, with Tuesday representing the beginning of a new chapter for Lynnwood.

“You cannot have a big league economy with little league infrastructure,” Larsen said. “These investments are critical.”

Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jordyhansen.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Ari Smith, 14, cheers in agreement with one of the speakers during Snohomish County Indivisible’s senator office rally at the Snohomish County Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
More than 100 people gather in Everett to protest recent Trump actions

Protesters hoped to pressure lawmakers into delaying and disrupting action in the Senate.

Wade Erickson, maintenance with the Edmonds School District, passes by a school closure sign as he clears snow from the sidewalk in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Weather service: Everett and nearby cities should brace for dangerous cold

A cold weather advisory said overnight temperature could plunge as low as 15 degrees Thursday night.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.