Duane Norsby of Marysville writes: On eastbound Fourth Street in Marysville, just past I-5, a solid white line separates the left and right lanes up to the mini-mart on the right. Does that mean traffic in the one through-lane from Tulalip should not cross over that line into the right lane, enabling drivers exiting I-5 to turn right without yielding to the traffic from west?
Cmdr. Robb Lamoureux of the Marysville Police Department responds: When the traffic signal is green for the eastbound driver coming off Tulalip, which means the signal for the driver coming off the freeway is red, the driver coming from Tulalip should not cross over the solid white line and could receive a traffic infraction for doing so.
However, the driver coming off the freeway does not have a free right on red and is not immune to liability if he fails to yield the right of way to the oncoming driver, regardless of the actions of that driver. The driver coming off the freeway would have some, but not all, of the culpability should a collision occur.
In synopsis, every driver is responsible and liable for their own driving actions.
Pat Hollister of Arlington writes: Regarding 84th Street NE going past the new Marsyville Getchell High School — is this really the way it’s supposed to be, with two sharp curves and stop signs? And the straight-shot fenced off and an asphalt path up there? And no sidewalks for the school kids? Doesn’t it look kind of strange?
John Tatum, traffic engineer for the city of Marysville, responds: Yes, the roadways are now final and have been so since the opening of the new roadway. The new road (Ingraham Blvd.) is the direct route connecting 84th Street NE from Highway 9 to 88th Street NE, forming the most direct east-west route between Granite Falls and I-5. The old section of 84th Street NE (down Getchell Hill) is no longer a main roadway, but may still be used for convenience.
Sidewalks and walkways have been provided for the most direct walking routes to the new Marysville Getchell High School. Motorists are reminded to stop at both of the stop signs mentioned and to yield to oncoming traffic for any left turn to get from Ingraham Blvd. to use the old portion of 84th Street.
Bob Wright of Everett writes: I am concerned about people parking in bike lanes in north Everett while attending different functions at Legion Park during the year.
It seems that Everett police turn a blind eye on some occasions while people park on the bike lanes for a function at Legion Park. At other occasions and events at the park, the city puts up all kinds of barricades from the park to Colby Ave., not allowing anyone to park on the shoulder or the bike lane on Alverson Boulevard.
For example, when the March of Dimes comes along, people are parked on both the shoulder and the bike lane on Alverson Boulevard for the length of the street, and the people are walking southbound from the park in the roadway itself.
Why is parking in the bicycle lane allowed during any function at Legion Park? I realize that parking in this area is at a premium for any event, but if it is illegal to park in a bike lane, than no one should be able to do so at any time of the year.
Everett Police Sgt. Robert Goetz responds: It sounds like the writer has two separate questions, regarding ticketing for parking in the bike lane near Legion Park during special events and street closures by the city and how that effects the bike lane.
During an event where the event coordinators have asked for and received permission from the city to close the road, that road is inclusive of the bike lane. Since the road is closed then no enforcement occurs.
I
f the road has not been closed then any vehicles illegally parked in the roadway or bike lane could receive a parking ticket. Many of these events occur on weekends when parking enforcement officers are not scheduled to work. Either way, weekend or weekday, the writer is encouraged to call 911 to report parking problems so that it can be addressed by either parking enforcement or patrol officers.
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