Politics’ time on highway is over

Finally it’s over.

No, not the election.

I’m talking about the barrage of advertisements that have been thrown at you in the past few months.

Candidates and initiative-pushers came at us on TV, on the radio, in newspapers, through mailers – every way imaginable. Although annoying, none of those advertising assaults was dangerous – except one.

The massive array of election signs planted along sides of roadways do lead to accidents, especially if you actually try to read them.

Blazing along I-5 at 60 mph (when I’m lucky), the signs have been mostly a blur of color.

I counted more than 20 in a cluster on northbound I-5 just before the Broadway exit in Everett. There were more than that – I just couldn’t count them all.

Planting signs alongside a state highway is illegal if they obstruct the vision of a driver or if they are placed in the state’s right-of-way. Rules for most city streets are similar.

Transportation workers have tried to keep political signs out of the right-of-way, but it was hard for them to keep up with the enthusiastic volunteers who were dedicated to placing their candidate’s signs at all the best locations.

The rule of thumb is that some of the signs were legally placed, but most were not.

“We work to respect the right to free speech while assuring rules and laws are followed,” said Emily Christianson, a Department of Transportation spokeswoman. “Improperly placed political signs can create a safety hazard or distract drivers and slow traffic.”

So now that it’s all over, we just have to wait for the candidates to remove their signs, something that can sometimes drag out well past Election Day.

If you see a sign still standing, don’t kick it over. Call the state or local jurisdiction and they’ll have someone remove it, Christianson said. The state’s number is 206-440-4491.

“It is far safer for our workers to remove the signs because they are properly equipped and trained for the task,” she said. “We are also better able to assess whether a sign is legally placed or not, which is sometimes difficult to ascertain.”

I guess this means I won’t be able to live out my fantasy of veering off the road and plowing through the signs like a movie star fleeing from the bad guys.

He’d like to see a map

Question: I am very curious about the revisions being done to 19th Avenue SE around Silver Lake. I don’t remember seeing a map of the rework, and I can’t quite figure out what is being done. Can you shed some light on this project?

I’d like to see a map of the project.

Roy Mosolf, Everett

Answer: We are widening 19th Avenue SE between 132nd Street SE and 112th Street SE. In addition to adding one lane in each direction, crews will add two-way left turn lanes and raised medians throughout the project area. These improvements will increase safety and improve traffic flow between Mill Creek and Everett.

This work is part of a long-term Highway 527 widening project. A map of the project is online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ projects/SR527Widen/ 132ndSE_112thSE.

Marlin Lenssen, state Departmen of Transportation project engineer

Reporter Lukas Velush: 425-339-3449 or lvelush@heraldnet.com.

smarts

smarts

street

street

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen gives his State of the City address on Thursday, March 20 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor talks budget at 2025 State of the City

Mayor Mike Rosen discussed the city’s deficit and highlights from his first year in office.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City of Marysville, school board amend property exchange

The city will relocate its public works facility to the district’s current headquarters, which will move to the former City Hall.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County to mail ballots for Edmonds, Brier elections

Registered voters should receive their ballots by April 9 for the April 22 special election.

A stormwater diversion structure which has been given a notice for repairs along a section of the Perrinville Creek north of Stamm Overlook Park that flows into Browns Bay in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Edmonds Hearing Examiner decides on Perrinville Creek saga

The examiner revoked the city’s Determination of Non-Significance, forcing Edmonds to address infrastructure issues on the creek

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Our Lady of Hope Fr. Joseph Altenhofen outside of his parish’s building that will be the new home of Hope ‘N Wellness on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Hope ‘N Wellness location to open Wednesday in Everett

Our Lady of Hope Church will host the social service organization at 2617 Cedar St. in Everett.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 to Portland departs from Everett Station on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Limited train service to resume on Amtrak Cascades

Trains will have less capacity for now, but service is expected to resume for some routes as early as Tuesday.

Marysville
Police: 66-year-old Marysville man dead from fatal stabbing

A neighbor found the man unconscious on the sidewalk as the result of an apparent stabbing. Police said they are looking for suspects.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Driver, suspected of DUI, hits WSP vehicle on I-5 near Everett

The trooper was blocking the HOV lane for a previous collision when his vehicle was struck Saturday morning.

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.