Dan Darst of Snohomish writes: I recently moved back to Snohomish and am amazed by the back-up that occurs at the intersection of Bickford Avenue getting on to Highway 2. Recently, I saw two guys in pleated Dockers and clean hard-hats milling about in the area. Could there be some planning happening to put an on-ramp over the top of U.S. 2 to help merging onto 2? This appears to be a frustrating and dangerous intersection, and an overpass/onramp seems like the “simple” solution.
Bronlea Mishler, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation, responds: We are planning to build a new overpass at the U.S. 2-Bickford intersection to improve safety for drivers turning on and off the highway. Engineers are currently designing the new interchange and expect to advertise the project to bidders in December 2011. You can find more information on our project website: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/us2/bickfordsafety/
Chris King of Lake Stevens writes: As you proceed eastbound on Madison Street in Everett as it crosses Evergreen Way, there are two left hand turn lanes and two lanes that continue eastbound. The left hand of those two lanes that continue east is used by many drivers to turn left into the Albertson’s parking lot entry that is just to the east of Evergreen Way.
These drivers are crossing a double yellow median area into oncoming (westbound) Madison Street traffic and creating a safety hazard for those going east when we have to stop on a green light for those making that turn.
Dongho Chang, traffic engineer for the city of Everett, responds: It is legal to cross the median area formed by a double yellow line when making a left hand turn from eastbound Madison Street into the Albertson’s driveway. It is illegal to pass on the left across the double yellow lines, but left hand turns across them are permitted.
Accident records do not show collision problems related to cars making the left hand turn. We will monitor the driveway and make changes if conditions change in the future.
Rick Hardt of Marysville writes: Driving from the Everett marina north along W. Marine View Drive there seems to be very little signage directing drivers to Marysville via Highway 529. I have relatives from Eastern Washington that always seem to miss the northbound ramp.
Dongho Chang, Everett traffic engineer, responds: We will get new signs installed near the northbound ramp. Thank you for the great suggestion.
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