Rebecca Pedersen of Everett writes: U.S. 2 is a nightmare! Seriously, only two lanes? All it takes is one driver traveling at an inconsistent speed to create a logjam of vehicles that turns into a high-speed frenzy at the rare passing lane. And that’s before reaching those ridiculous variable speed
zones between all those little towns.
Is the state at all open to the notion of a four-lane highway? Personally, I would gladly pay whatever toll they asked for the luxury of not driving 30 mph westbound on a Sunday night.
Meghan Pembroke, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation, responds: We have looked at possible U.S. 2 widening projects in recent years, including as part of the route development plan we completed in 2007. Unfortunately, widening a highway like U.S. 2 would be very expensive and the state has limited money for those types of major highway improvement projects. At this time, our goal is to continue to work with the community to make targeted improvements with the funding we have.
This spring we will wrap up work on a project to improve safety at key locations on U.S. 2 between Monroe and Gold Bar.
This fall we will open a new direct ramp from Highway 522 to eastbound U.S. 2 in Monroe to help relieve congestion at the interchange.
And in 2012 we’ll build a new overcrossing from Bickford Avenue to westbound U.S. 2 to reduce congestion and improve safety at this busy intersection.
For a list of some of our current projects on US 2, go to http://tinyurl.com/US2Projects.
Columnist’s note: Tolls are recommended as a way to fund future road projects, including on U.S. 2, in a long-term plan by the Puget Sound Regional Council, Transportation 2040.
Miller Road update
Nancy Ross of Stanwood writes: When will they get Miller Road in Stanwood open again?
Snohomish County Engineer Owen Carter responds: Miller Road experienced a slide in the ground beneath the roadway this past winter due to the extreme wet weather conditions. We at the county are looking at potential options to rebuild the road.
Preliminary estimates run in excess of $350,000. We submitted the project to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to receive funding but it was determined to be ineligible.
Also, with reduced county road fund revenues due to the economy slowdown and reduced gas tax that Snohomish County is experiencing, local money is being used for needed projects on other roads in the county and are not available to repair Miller Road.
Snohomish County will continue to seek funding from other sources, but until funding becomes available the roadway will remain closed and the signed detour route will be used.
Look for updates on our Street Smarts blog at www.heraldnet.com/streetsmarts.
E-mail us at stsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your city of residence
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