Question: The intersection at 172nd Street NE and Smokey Point Boulevard has become more dangerous since the recent roadwork in that area.
Many drivers traveling east toward that intersection are getting into the left-hand turn lane and making U-turns. This allows them to enter a shopping area on the opposite side of 172nd Street.
For those of us traveling south in the right-hand lane so we can turn onto 172nd Street to travel west, the sudden U-turns are unnerving and scary. Is it legal to make a U-turn there?
All the drivers have to do is have patience, turn left and enter the shopping area a little further down Smokey Point Boulevard.
Henry Berghuis, Arlington
Answer: It is legal to make a U-turn at the 172nd Street NE and Smokey Point Boulevard intersection.
Before we completed recent safety improvements, drivers darted in front of two lanes of oncoming traffic to enter the shopping center. They now make a U-turn at the stoplight, where traffic is more controlled.
We believe this has reduced the number and severity of collisions in this area and, for confirmation, we will review collision data as soon as it is available.
As always, drivers making turns at an intersection should watch for other drivers and yield appropriately.
Michael Mansfield, state Department of Transportation engineer
“Shortcut” causes trouble
Question: In the morning, traffic on the U.S. 2 trestle westbound between Snohomish and Everett always bogs down in the middle.
People get off on the left-hand exit to Ebey Slough, run along the offramp road, and then go back up the onramp about a mile further along, taking a “shortcut” past the slowed traffic.
The problem is that these drivers (I use other words in the mornings) have to merge back onto the trestle from the left-hand onramp, and they are the reason it gets slow there.
What can be done to correct this? Signage, detours, or enforcement patrols?
Kevin Coughlin, Snohomish
Answer: The left-hand exit to Ebey Island leads to a public road available to all drivers. The sign at this exit says “local access only,” but it is an advisory sign, not an enforceable regulatory sign.
We are aware of this situation and are exploring ways to better manage westbound traffic and further discourage commuter trips along the island road.
Darrel Whyte, DOT engineer
Update on Sievers-Duecy
Question: The Sievers-Duecy Boulevard story really cries out for an update and a little real explanation. The major road in question has been closed for almost 1.5 months.
Heck, the slide itself has been cleaned up for a month now. Is that massive pile of dirt (or whatever mixture of materials it is) stable enough now?
“Shortly” seems long past, and it’s a good time to know more.
Ben Zarlingo, Everett
Answer: Sievers-Duecy Boulevard was closed in January due to a landslide that occurred after a period of exceptionally wet weather. The slide material blocked the lanes of travel and was cleared.
Geo-technical evaluation indicated continued instability at that time. The slope was monitored by the property owner.
The boulevard was reopened to traffic on March 11. Rinker Materials has scheduled additional slope stability work for August as moisture levels reach their annual minimum.
Ryan L. Sass, city of Everett engineer
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