Q: I am a professional driver and travel Highway 99 between 196th Street SW and 236th Street SW in Lynnwood several times a day.
The new lanes are very good for moving traffic. My concerns are the unloading of canopies to a business at 214th Street SW and Highway 99.
The trucks park in the lane, sometimes with no cones or flashers. I have noticed this several times. If someone isn’t paying attention, there could be a bad accident.
Also, there are lots of signs telling drivers that the lane is only for turns and transit, but the signs south of 224th Street SW stop until you get past 236th Street SW, and that’s where a lot of people think that lane is for everyone.
Carole Murphy, Mountlake Terrace
A: William Franz, engineering services manager for the Lynnwood’s Public Works Department, said they have spoken with both the city traffic engineer and a police officer in charge of enforcement.
"They both inform us that it is legal for trucks to stop in the middle lane of Highway 99 to unload, and that no flashers or cones are required," Franz said. "Trucks may also stop in the curb lane to unload even though it is a transit emphasis lane."
Although not the best situation, many of the businesses along Highway 99 are served by large delivery trucks and have no on-site areas for delivery, Franz said.
"Regarding the question about lane signage, the area of Highway 99 between 224th and 236th Street SW is actually in Edmonds rather than Lynnwood," Franz said. "We have advised them about the signage."
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