It will put us 10 steps back in traffic

As I sat through a number of major traffic jams on I-5 during the past weekend, I kept thinking the same thing: this freeway is headed from bad to worse. Last week’s news reported I-5 is in dire need of repairs. Snohomish County is expecting 300,000 new residents in the next 20 years.

More than a quality of life issue, traffic flow is vital to our economy and ability to attract real jobs to this region. We take two steps forward with an improved I-5 exit, but a NASCAR racetrack will put us 10 steps back. “Only three times per year” is always the response. Three times per year will be three times too many for all of us with Thursday to Sunday race weekends putting 200,000 people on I-5. Non-campers will have to travel back and forth to hotels along I-5. Is 200,000 an exaggeration? Officials predict 85,000 seats with an expansion to 125,000. Add 60,000 in the infield and the rest is 42 teams, sponsors, vendors, press, etc.

The Olympian’s July 19 NASCAR article quoted a police officer who said fans disregard alternative route advice and the highway is virtually shut down for seven hours before a Chicagoland race. Track proponents are now scrambling to come up with a traffic “plan.” Alternative routes? Park-n-ride? A new exit just for the track? Rail service? A brand new five-lane arterial? Sounds very expensive and it has all been used at other tracks that still experience freeway shut-downs.

Carla Brown

Arlington