Street Smarts

Vehicles turn onto the ramp to head north on I-5 from 41st Street in the afternoon on Friday, June 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Faded 41st Street lane markings eyed for refresh next year

A reader asked about the I-5 interchange lane striping after reportedly seeing lots of driver confusion.

 

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring speaks at the groundbreaking event for the I-5/SR 529 Interchange project on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$123M project starting on Highway 529 interchange, I-5 HOV lane

A reader wondered why the highway had a lane closure despite not seeing work done. Crews were waiting on the weather.

 

Blake Miller, left and Trentyn Greening, right, stick their arms out to signal their left turn during a bike safety class at Darrington Elementary School on Friday, May 12, 2023 in Darrington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Darrington PE teacher seeks donations for bike education

Gavin Gladsjo is looking for $6,000 in donations for bike, helmets and lessons for kindergarten through fifth grade.

 

Eric Rowe, 48, rides on his electric unicycle near the Everett Marina in Everett, Washington, on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

For Everett’s electric unicyclists, it’s all about balance

“Two years ago, people looked at you like you were an alien,” said Jeff Smith, an electric unicycle rider who lives in Marysville.

Eric Rowe, 48, rides on his electric unicycle near the Everett Marina in Everett, Washington, on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Students participate in Bike to School Day at Sherwood Elementary School in Edmonds, Washington on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Almost one-quarter of Edmonds school’s students join Bike to School Day

Group rides about a half-mile north and south of the school drew huge interest at Sherwood Elementary School.

Students participate in Bike to School Day at Sherwood Elementary School in Edmonds, Washington on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
William Gamboa runs with his dogs along Bayview Trail on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lake Stevens, Marysville seek Bayview Trail design input

The cities are working on plans for the paved trail that would generally follow high-tension power lines west of Highway 9.

William Gamboa runs with his dogs along Bayview Trail on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community Transit’s 209 bus departs from the Lake Stevens Transit Center at 4th St NE and Highway 9 on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Want ride-hailing at bus prices in Arlington? Let Community Transit know

The transit agency is in early development for microtransit services in Arlington, Darrington and Lake Stevens.

Community Transit’s 209 bus departs from the Lake Stevens Transit Center at 4th St NE and Highway 9 on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A transit rider steps onto a Community Transit bus on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Plan aims to restore ‘community’ to Community Transit bus service

Dropping commuter routes into Seattle next year will let the agency redeploy buses and drivers throughout the county.

A transit rider steps onto a Community Transit bus on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A car merges into the far right lane heading toward the exit to US 2 trestle on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Is late merging at U.S. 2 trestle legal? Is it bad etiquette?

Yes, it’s legal and generally recommended for efficiency, as long as it’s done safely and doesn’t hold up traffic flow.

A car merges into the far right lane heading toward the exit to US 2 trestle on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Matthew Sims places a traffic signal for his group's traffic project presentation at Hazelwood Elementary School on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lynnwood students pitch transportation safety solutions near school

Barbara Bromley’s fifth-grade class at Hazelwood Elementary School analyzed traffic issues near the parking lot.

Matthew Sims places a traffic signal for his group's traffic project presentation at Hazelwood Elementary School on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A vehicle makes an unprotected left turn on a flashing yellow arrow at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 530 on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Reader: Arlington highway intersection signal change confusing

At the city’s request, the state changed the left-turn sequence. An Arlington reader said drivers are jumping the queue.

A vehicle makes an unprotected left turn on a flashing yellow arrow at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 530 on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Vehicles on Soper Hill Road wait in line to make unprotected left turns onto Highway 9 northbound and southbound during the evening commute Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens development prompts Highway 9 signal change soon

Turning left from Soper Hill Road can be a long wait now. Flashing yellow turn signals could help with more traffic.

Vehicles on Soper Hill Road wait in line to make unprotected left turns onto Highway 9 northbound and southbound during the evening commute Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A sign diverts bicyclists to a short path that leads to the shoulder of U.S. 2 headed east near the junction with Highway 204 on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Yes, it’s legal (and risky) to bike on WA highways — with big exceptions

A reader asked about the legality of biking on the shoulder of U.S. 2 after a run-in with law enforcement.

A sign diverts bicyclists to a short path that leads to the shoulder of U.S. 2 headed east near the junction with Highway 204 on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Vehicles head south on Highway 9 towards the intersection at 64th Street NE on Thursday, March 2, 2023, near Walmart in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Highway 9 due for more road work between Lake Stevens, Marysville

The state has a contract for crews to go out this year and repair the road between 132nd Street NE and Highway 528.

Vehicles head south on Highway 9 towards the intersection at 64th Street NE on Thursday, March 2, 2023, near Walmart in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Cars move northbound along Ninth Avenue on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds seeks traffic-calming program applications

For several years, radar speed signs have been the dominant answer. Depending on data and requests, that could change.

Cars move northbound along Ninth Avenue on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Handicap parking spaces outside of Hunan Palace Restaurant & Lounge on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Reader asks: What are the rules for accessible parking?

A Lake Stevens man noticed all of the accessible spots were taken up at his regular lunch spot.

Handicap parking spaces outside of Hunan Palace Restaurant & Lounge on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Students load onto the 116 Community Transit bus after school on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Community Transit overhaul accounts for light rail timeline limbo

The Snohomish County agency has planned a major redesign for service once light rail gets here.

Students load onto the 116 Community Transit bus after school on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Community Transit is leasing a 60-foot articulated BYD battery electric bus this year as an early step in the zero emission planning process. (Community Transit)

Community Transit testing 60-foot electric bus

The agency leased the BYD K11M for $132,000 this year as the first step in its zero-emission planning process.

Community Transit is leasing a 60-foot articulated BYD battery electric bus this year as an early step in the zero emission planning process. (Community Transit)
Construction continues on the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Paved path, plaza coming to Mountlake Terrace near light rail

The public space additions are envisioned as boosting access to the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center.

Construction continues on the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A white lane line juts out of place along I-5 northbound through Everett on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Wonky I-5 lane striping in Everett to get temporary refresh

During weekend work, contractor crews are slated to try to repaint northbound temporary lane striping past 41st Street.

A white lane line juts out of place along I-5 northbound through Everett on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)