This week’s featured question is so tricky it required responses from three different agencies.
Glenn Berry of Marysville writes: It is my understanding that if you are westbound on Mukilteo Boulevard, which becomes Fifth Street in Mukilteo, you cannot enter the ferry lane on the Mukilteo Speedway (Highway 525) by turning right off Fifth to 525. There is only one small portable sign warning “No Right Turn to Ferry Lane” and no other sign to tell you how and where to enter the ferry lane.
A helpful state trooper advised me on one occasion when I turned right into the inside lane of 525 off Fifth, then entered the ferry lane near Arnie’s restaurant, that a citation could be issued for my infraction and the only way to legally enter the ferry lane was back up the hill on 525.
Why doesn’t the city of Mukilteo or the state post clear, permanent signs showing the proper way for westbound drivers on Mukilteo Boulevard to legally reach the ferry lane? The city of Edmonds has clear, permanent signs advising drivers entering Edmonds from the north and west the proper legal route to enter the Edmonds ferry lane.
Bronlea Mishler, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation, responds: As the reader noted, drivers headed west on Fifth Street will see a portable sign telling them not to turn right. They may, however, overlook a smaller sign mounted near the traffic signal that says “No Right Turn Into Ferry Holding Lane.” To help alleviate the confusion, we plan to put up permanent “No Right Turn Into Ferry Holding Lane” signs on Fifth, Third and Second streets. These signs will clearly tell drivers approaching Highway 525 from side streets that they can’t turn right and cut into the ferry line. Pending approval from the city of Mukilteo, we expect to install the signs later this summer.
Drivers on side streets need to turn left on Highway 525, heading south up the hill, until they reach the legal entrance to the ferry lane where the double-white lines end (near Goat Trail Road).
Larry Waters, public works director for the city of Mukilteo, adds: Mukilteo won’t be adding any signs to guide people on how to get into the ferry lane. The main reason we are taking this position is that at this point there simply isn’t a good place to direct folks for a U-turn. So we won’t put up any signs that direct people onto local streets to turn around or onto a public school lot to turn around. We also will not be directing ferry traffic through a residential area to get to the ferry lane. Making U-turns is something every driver has a right to do as long as it is done consistent with driving laws.
Fundamentally, this is a state ferries issue on which the city has spent considerable time and energy over many years trying to resolve. We work well with the staff at the ferry system and the Department of Transportation and believe they are sincere in their efforts to make things better and are working hard to make positive changes in how ferry traffic is handled. However, we feel pressure needs to be maintained on the state, including the Legislature, to get the ferry dock moved so a ferry lane becomes a minor or nonexistent issue.
We want the ferry issues fixed primarily because the way the ferry now works has a negative effect on the quality of life along Highway 525 and in Old Town. No doubt some folks here find the ferry quaint or part of the waterfront community ambience or flavor, but most find it annoying.
Trooper Trent Cain of the Washington State Patrol responds: Posted restrictive signs must be followed when entering the ferry line at the Mukilteo ferry terminal. If you violate this law you are subject to being stopped by a law enforcement officer and cited for violating RCW 46.61.050 (obedience to traffic control devices). This violation is a traffic infraction that will cost you $124.
My take: Trooper Cain is referring to four signs here. One is the sign prohibiting the right turn into the ferry lane. Another is a large one on the Speedway just north of Goat Trail Road that reads, “Ferry traffic MUST USE right lane.” Right after this is a sign that reads, “Ferry lane begins — No lane changes.” Double white lines mark the lane from this point to the ferry toll booths. Farther down the hill, just before Fifth Avenue, another sign reads, “Unlawful to cross double white lines.”
Unfortunately, there are no similar signs below Fifth Avenue. Trooper Cain said it’s the same situation as if a driver turns onto a street where the speed limit is 35 but it’s not posted on that block, and the driver accelerates to 50 — he’s still breaking the law.
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