MONROE — The U.S. 2 Safety Coalition used to meet in Sultan to discuss how to make the highway safer. The grassroots group’s mission remains the same, but it’s now holding its regular monthly meetings at the Monroe Public Library.
It’s easier for people to gather in Monroe than in Sultan, said former Sultan Police Chief Fred Walser, who leads the group. Three highways — U.S. 2, Highway 203 and Highway 522 — intersect in Monroe.
“Anybody is welcome, absolutely,” Walser said. “Together, we can get things done.”
The group recently hired a lobbyist to win money for U.S. 2 improvements during the 2008 Legislature in Olympia. The lobbyist will cost the group $2,500, Walser said.
“It’s difficult finding money” for U.S. 2, Walser said.
Since 1999, 47 people have been killed in U.S. 2 crashes and accidents between Snohomish and Stevens Pass, according to state crash data. Overall safety improvements for the highway are expected to cost about $2 billion and take more than 20 years to complete.
About $3.6 million will be spent this year to install centerline rumble strips just east of Monroe and up to Stevens Pass. The state has proposed 55 other projects to improve the highway, but none of those projects have money.
It’s people’s voices that make lawmakers take action to improve the highway, Walser said.
The safety coalition plans to create radio commercials and road signs to raise awareness about the highway’s problems, Walser said.
“We’ve got a lot of things in the works right now,” he said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
Get involved
The U.S. 2 Safety Coalition meets at 7 p.m. on last Monday of each month at the Monroe Public Library, 1070 Village Way. For more information, go to www.us2safetycoalition.org.
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