Tucked behind a fence and concrete blocks, there’s a shortcut south Everett drivers are drooling over.
The new 156th Street SE punches a connection to Silver Firs Drive. It cost the Everett School District as much as $2 million to build the road as part of nearby school construction.
After hearing safety concerns, the County Council decided last week the gates aren’t going anywhere for a few more months.
The new connection is up to snuff, with sidewalks for school kids.
The trouble is that the rural county road it connects to is flanked by ditches and lacks a safe place to walk.
The County Council delayed a move to open the road until safety measures could be put in place.
School district officials said they hope the road opens to the public by the time school starts Sept. 3.
In the meantime, traffic planners will mull how to slow speeds in the area, where little dips and hills can hide a driver’s view of walkers.
Railroad crossing repairs
Question: On 152nd Street NE in Marysville, there is a railroad crossing. This is only a spur line that is used once or twice per week so it is not a priority with the railroad. The two-lane road has quite a bit of traffic going between Marysville and Arlington. The timbers between the tracks are broken and the spikes are now sticking up. Who do I contact at the railroad to get this fixed or who do I contact at the railroad to get new tires and an alignment?
Jim Lonneker, Marysville
Answer: The crossing is one of the few remaining within the city without automatic crossing indications — lights or arms. The crossing is posted in the eastbound direction with a 15 mph advisory speed. Even though the crossing is lightly used by Burlington Northern Santa Fe, drivers should approach with caution to see if a train is coming. The city notified BNSF of the concern about the tracks. Last week, I was notified by BNSF and have confirmed that repairs have been made to the crossing.
John Tatum, city of Marysville traffic engineer
Yellow bumps at corners
Question: Can you explain why all the yellow raised panels at street corners? It does give people work but I would like to know the logic of the process. Is it just marking that it is a place to cross the street? Thanks for your help.
Jeanne Ellerbeck, south Everett
Answer: The yellow raised panels we install at the sidewalk curb ramps are used by our blind pedestrians. They are required by the federal government to provide detectable warnings between the sidewalk and traffic lanes.
The Department of Justice and the Federal Highway Administration require local agencies to install curb ramps and yellow raised panels when we perform roadway construction work. We also install them at locations where residents request them.
Dongho Chang, Everett city traffic engineer
On summer vacation
If the news business were a highway, Herald writer Jeff Switzer would be taking the offramp. That means Street Smarts is going on summer vacation. Save your Street Smarts questions until later this fall.
In the meantime, if you have a burning question that needs a full-blown story, e-mail newstips@heraldnet.com.
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