The state Department of Transportation’s Web site, already the most popular site in the state, according to the agency, was deluged last week with people looking for information on flooding.
There were 7.4 million hits on Monday and 6 million hits on Election Day, the biggest day of flooding, said Jamie Holter, a spokeswoman for the agency.
Normally the Web site gets 4.4 million page views in a day.
As many drivers know, the Web site boasts real-time traffic updates with many cameras showing traffic in real time. Most of the cameras are in King County, but there are enough to get a sense of how things are flowing in parts of Snohomish County.
Drivers in north and east Snohomish County didn’t need a camera or a Web site to know that the Wednesday commute stunk after Highway 9 was closed because of floodwater over the road.
The state gets a gold star for getting the road open only one hour after the water crept off the road early Thursday morning. The opening was early enough to save that morning’s commute.
If you’re one of the apparently few people who haven’t uses the state’s site, find it here: www.wsdot.wa.gov.
Make U-turns safer
Question: I am writing about my growing concern for the safety of myself and my co-workers.
Since the construction changed the way 172nd Street NE works in Smokey Point, the general public has become increasingly less intelligent.
Since the barrier’s been put in the middle of the road, the fastest way to get into our parking lot is to pull a U-turn at 172nd Street’s intersection with Smokey Point Boulevard.
Several friends and I have been involved in many near misses with people trying to turn right on a red. I have actually been chased down, yelled at, and threatened.
The solution is rather simple.
Across the freeway at the intersection of 27th Avenue NE and 172nd St NE there is a sign that states that the U-turn has the right-of-way. This sign cannot be that expensive. Installing it would certainly be cheaper than having to replace my truck when someone crashes into me.
Pat McVey, Arlington
Answer: The right-turn versus U-turn conflicts are an ongoing concern. The department is developing a signing policy for this and similar locations that will better alert drivers to the conflict and indicate which direction of traffic should yield.
Meghan Soptich, DOT spokeswoman
Speed limits on road
Question: Can you tell me when the speed limit changed from 25 mph to 35 mph on Beverly Park Road, and where the new construction was? Also when were the new signs posted?
Doris Oliver, Mukilteo
Answer: Beverly Park Road was posted at 35 mph before we widened the road. It was administratively reduced to 25 mph during the construction period, as allowed by county code. The 35 mph speed limit was restored Oct. 24, when the signs were changed.
Jim Bloodgood, traffic engineer, Snohomish County public works
Ask us about traffic
Have a question about traffic or street rules around Snohomish and Island counties? We can help find an answer. E-mail Street Smarts at stsmarts@ heraldnet.com.
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