Q: There are two lights at the intersection of Mukilteo Speedway and Paine Field Boulevard.
Why isn’t the light, to make a right onto the boulevard, a constant right green arrow? No other direction can possibly turn there except cars going east onto the boulevard.
Cars traveling south on the speedway cannot take a left onto the boulevard. Most people slow down to take the turn, but rarely does anyone stop.
There really should be a green arrow rather than a stoplight to take that right.
Gail Branco, Mukilteo
A: The reader is absolutely right, said Dongho Chang, engineer with the state Department of Transportation.
"On northbound Mukilteo Speedway, also known as Highway 525, motorists making a right to Paine Field Boulevard do not have any conflicting traffic," Chang said. "These motorists should be, and are able to, make this maneuver at all times and should not be stopped by the signal."
The reader’s suggestion for a green right turn arrow would make things clearer for drivers, but Chang has even better news.
"We are planning improvements to this intersection with a construction project scheduled to start this summer. This project will widen Highway 525 from the new interchange at Highway 99 to Paine Field Boulevard.
"This project will provide two lanes for each direction of travel with a center turn lane. It will also improve the right turn to Paine Field Boulevard so that there will be no confusion for drivers."
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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