Q Why does the city of Everett waste money repaving streets, such as Walnut Street from 16th Street to 19th Street or McDougall Avenue north of 19th Street. Instead, they could use money for adding lanes and widening roads including S. Colby Avenue or S. Broadway, building overpasses (perhaps on 41st Street at Colby and Rucker Avenues), or for paving new roads.
We need a road from Pacific Avenue by the river, south to Lowell, or at least near the animal shelter at 37th or 38th streets or from Lowell and Marine Drive to Mukilteo Boulevard near Forest Park.
All of the roads I’ve seen the city repave in the last few years did not need it. What we need is alternate routes and more paved lanes to relieve congestion.
Jon Campbell, Everett
A City engineer Dave Davis said the existing street system is one of Everett’s largest assets with more than 270 miles of roadway.
"These assets need to be maintained in order to continue their functional use," Davis said. "Every year, Everett, like all cities and counties, overlay a certain portion of the street network."
This year, nearly 38 lane miles of streets were overlaid in Everett. The streets chosen were the highest priority from a consultant’s report where each and every street in the city was reviewed for existing distresses, the volume of vehicles it carries, degradation from previous reviews, and when it was last overlaid.
"Our approach in Everett is to not wait until a street has cracked and potholed to the point that it becomes a hazard and must be rebuilt, but to strategically overlay street segments that are highest in need," he said. "This way the entire system can be maintained at an acceptable level and at the least cost to the public. We are very proud of the excellent condition of Everett’s streets."
Have a question about traffic or street rules around Snohomish and Island counties? We can help find an answer. Send questions by fax to 425-339-3435; e-mail to newstips@heraldnet.com; or address to Street Smarts, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206. Include your name and phone number.
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