More people are expected to travel this Memorial Day weekend than last year, so the usual advice of “leave early” applies as much as ever.
The AAA predicts that 5.4 percent more people nationwide will travel 50 miles or more this coming weekend than in 2009. This means an increase of 1.6 million people, from 30.5 million last year to 32.1 million this year.
Of that total, 28 million are expected to travel by car. If it happens as predicted, it will be the first increase in Memorial Day travel since 2005, according to AAA Washington.
The total still won’t equal pre-recession numbers, but reasons for the increase include an improved economy, pent-up demand for travel and the holiday falling at the tail end of the month, according to AAA.
“Leave early, plan extra time, use the travel tools we have online and 511 on the phone,” said Bronlea Mishler, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation. The state’s travel information website is www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic.
Merging on to Hwy. 526
Casey McLaughlin of Everett writes: I have been wondering why the merge from Seaway Boulevard to eastbound Highway 526 is set up the way it is.
Two lanes come off Seaway to Highway 526. The left lane from Seaway literally dumps onto 526 with a very short merge distance. I have witnessed many a close call between vehicles at this location for many years. It makes more sense to me that after the overpass Seaway should merge to one lane that would then have a dedicated lane on 526. Then there is ample distance, close to a mile, for traffic to move over to the center and left lanes of 526.
Bronlea Mishler, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation, responds: We think it’s a great idea. In fact, we have plans to restripe the ramp the way Casey described when our striping season kicks off this spring.
As he suggested, the two lanes will merge into one lane on the ramp before joining Highway 526 as an added lane, eliminating a forced merge with Highway 526 traffic.
Traffic signal change
Jill Duval of Mill Creek writes: There is a traffic signal at the intersection of 112th Street SE and 19th Avenue SE at Silver Lake that either has been shut off or the light is burned out.
As you head east on 112th there is a right-turn lane to go south on 19th. There is a right-turn arrow at the bottom of the signal that worked for awhile, allowing drivers to turn right without stopping when the signal for other eastbound travelers was red. Can someone tell me why that is no longer working? It was great when it worked because traffic turning right (to go south) backs way up during the evening commute especially.
Dongho Chang, traffic engineer for the city of Everett, responds: The right-turn arrow for traffic headed east on 112th Street was turned off to allow traffic on northbound on 19th Street to make a U-turn when they have a green left-turn arrow. Drivers can still make the right turn during a red light, but must yield to traffic already in the intersection and the U-turning cars. We will turn the right arrow back on when we complete the widening on 112th Street, with construction scheduled to begin next year.
E-mail Street Smarts at stsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your city of residence.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
