The roads-and-transit plan before voters Nov. 6 is designed to improve our quality of life so we can spend less time stomping on our brake pedals in traffic.
The comprehensive package will reduce the traffic congestion through road improvements and invests in transit alternatives that give us more choices in our day-to-day travel.
I support this package, and I strongly encourage you to join me in one of the most important transportation decisions we can make.
This plan, being considered by voters in Everett, parts of Snohomish County, King and Pierce counties, represents years of thoughtful public consideration, frank discussion and rigorous analysis.
The roads proposals specific to Everett and Snohomish County improves the U.S. 2 trestle, I-5 interchanges north and south of Everett, and Highway 9. Moreover, the measure provides expanded transit service and light-rail facilities to 164th Street/Ash Way in Lynnwood as demanded by local public officials.
The U.S. 2 trestle project adds on- and off-ramps at both the west and east ends of the bridge, reducing travel times and hazardous lane merges. A series of local arterial access improvements at the junction of I-5 and U.S. 2 will improve access to on- and off-ramps, provide parallel routes to the freeway and synchronize signals.
I’m very pleased the plan improves six interchanges — major choke points — along I-5 through Everett. We worked hard with Snohomish County officials to ensure the inclusion of these projects.
The plan:
nRebuilds the interchange at I-5 and 128th Street.
nAdds a new southbound I-5 ramp directly from northbound Everett Mall Way to southbound I-5.
nConstructs a new 100th Street under-crossing of I-5.
nCompletes a last piece of the I-5 and 41st Street interchange.
nImproves I-5 interchanges with 88th Street and 116th Street in north Snohomish County.
Highway 9 lane improvements are of great benefit to Everett residents. Highway 9 parallels I-5. Widening and improving Highway 9 will play a significant part in relieving day-to-day traffic pressure on I-5.
The plan:
nWidens Highway 9 to four and five lanes for 14 miles.
nBuilds a new bridge over the Snohomish River.
n Provides additional signal and interchange improvements along the corridor.
The roads package also addresses the initial phases of the U.S. 2 Monroe Bypass that is so important to east Snohomish County residents, many of whom work in Everett.
If approved, the roads-and-transit plan will extend light-rail service north from downtown Seattle to the 164th Street/Ash Way junction just south of Everett. This extension is part of an overall 50-mile expansion of light-rail service offered under this plan.
My fellow elected city officials and I believe the most important light-rail improvement we can make for the region is to bring that service as far into Snohomish County as possible. The plan also provides for a study of how future light-rail service should connect into Everett, and adds tens of thousands of new hours of express bus service.
Finally, it is important we strike a balance with our transportation system because we cannot build our way out of congestion. We must provide options for the people and the employers here now and for those who are here in the future.
Join me in supporting the roads-and-transit plan so we can make the investments in roads and transit that will provide a more reliable and responsive transportation system in our city, our county and our region.
Ray Stephanson is mayor of Everett.
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