A Lynnwood traffic-enforcement camera. (Dan Bates / Herald file)

A Lynnwood traffic-enforcement camera. (Dan Bates / Herald file)

Lynnwood renews red-light-camera contract for five years

And a new traffic light near the Boeing plant prompts questions.

Lynnwood’s lucrative traffic-enforcement cameras will be sticking around for at least another five years. In March, the city renewed a contract with the Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions, with an option to extend. The cameras have brought in millions for the city since they went live in 2011.

The Daily Herald received the latest contract through a public records request.

The city uses these automated cameras to issue tickets to people accused of running red lights or speeding in school zones. In 2017 and 2018, over 34,000 camera tickets were issued each year.

Revenues for the 16 cameras brought in $3.4 million last year, according to Julie Moore, a spokesperson for the city. Of that money, $600,500 went to the vendor.

Light near Boeing

In other transportation news, with the heavily trafficked Highway 526 seeing 84,200 drivers each day, a new light at an off-ramp will spark questions. After a signal was installed at the highway’s eastbound off-ramp at Airport Road, Josh Wilder, of Lake Stevens, asked:

“What is the purpose of the new light on the north end of Airport Rd? (It’s) almost under 526. It seems in a very weird spot.”

Joseph Calabro, a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation, said the new signal was installed to address a safety concern at Boeing’s parking lot entrance off Highway 526, west of Airport Road. (That lot sits on the southwestern side of the Boeing plant.) The signal began operation Jan. 31.

“Poor crash history at the eastbound SR 526 parking entrance prompted Boeing and WSDOT to look for ways of mitigating the situation. WSDOT concurred with a Boeing plan to close off the eastbound left turn access to their parking area. In light of the access closure, affected eastbound drivers would then have to travel east past the entrance and effectively make a U-turn … The new signal was installed to facilitate left turns off of SR 526 onto Airport Road as part of this required ‘U-turn’ route. The northerly ramp intersection at the Airport Road interchange, where drivers are to make another left turn to travel west on SR 526, is already signalized. At the Boeing parking area, westbound SR 526 drivers would need to simply complete a right turn to get to the parking lot.”

New fare

And the Community Transit board unanimously approved a low-income fare this week. It will go into effect on July 1. The new fare will cost riders $1.25 on local and Swift routes and $2.00 on commuter lines.

Got a question? Email me at streetsmarts@heraldnet.com or call 425-374-4165. Please include your name and city of residence.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Rick Steves launches $1M match challenge for Lynnwood Neighborhood Center

The $64.5 million Lynnwood Neighborhood Center will house several community spaces and partner with local nonprofits.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council denies latest Eastview Village appeal

Council members affirmed previous approvals of the development planned off Cathcart Way near Highway 9.

Everett
Everett police: Man sold drugs to woman prior to fatal overdose

The man, who faces a charge under the state’s controlled substance homicide law, remains in Snohomish County Jail on more than $1M bond.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

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.