Street Smarts

Community Transit's Lynnwood microtransit pilot project is set to launch this fall with a service area around the Alderwood mall. (Community Transit)

Lynnwood’s microtransit test begins this fall, others possible

Community Transit could launch other on-demand services in Arlington, Darrington and Lake Stevens.

Community Transit's Lynnwood microtransit pilot project is set to launch this fall with a service area around the Alderwood mall. (Community Transit)
A view of the proposed alternative station location to Everett Station located east of the current BNSF rail tracks in downtown. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Could light rail station under Pacific Avenue and over railroad work?

A group representing people around Everett Station wants Sound Transit to study the idea.

A view of the proposed alternative station location to Everett Station located east of the current BNSF rail tracks in downtown. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A cyclist crosses Madison Street along the Interurban Trail Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Everett, Washington. The City of Everett is considering adding bike lanes to Madison Street to connect the Interurban Trail to other bike routes in the area. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Survey: Support for Madison Street bike lanes, worry over parking

Everett staff are conducting a traffic study and developing alternatives as part of the road’s scheduled road work.

A cyclist crosses Madison Street along the Interurban Trail Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Everett, Washington. The City of Everett is considering adding bike lanes to Madison Street to connect the Interurban Trail to other bike routes in the area. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Many cities and Snohomish County have rules where semi-trucks and RVs can be parked. (Lizz Giordano / The Herald)

Sorry, you can’t park with us (in some areas of Snohomish County)

Readers recently have wondered about parking rules and recourse in unincorporated areas of Snohomish County.

Many cities and Snohomish County have rules where semi-trucks and RVs can be parked. (Lizz Giordano / The Herald)
Officials gather outside two of Everett’s electric buses to discuss the new BattGenie system on Monday, June 27, 2022, at the Everett Transit bus yard in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Old batteries get new life as Everett Transit backup energy

Company BattGenie set up a container with dozens of used electric bus batteries that charge during non-peak times.

Officials gather outside two of Everett’s electric buses to discuss the new BattGenie system on Monday, June 27, 2022, at the Everett Transit bus yard in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Staff are evaluating two more light rail alternatives for the Everett Link extension. One would follow Interstate 5 north of 128th Street SW to the Everett Mall and back to the freeway. Another would go west of 128th Street SW to Highway 99 and north to Casino Road. (Sound Transit)

Everett light rail study adds I-5, Evergreen Way options

Both options negate the spur along Airport Road to the Boeing and Paine Field area long supported by county leaders.

Staff are evaluating two more light rail alternatives for the Everett Link extension. One would follow Interstate 5 north of 128th Street SW to the Everett Mall and back to the freeway. Another would go west of 128th Street SW to Highway 99 and north to Casino Road. (Sound Transit)
Drivers navigate through traffic at the intersection of Highway 9 and SR-204 on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lots of Lake Stevens road work ahead on highways 9, 204

The state is building four roundabouts near Frontier Village to help manage traffic and improve pedestrian access.

Drivers navigate through traffic at the intersection of Highway 9 and SR-204 on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Leafline Trails Coalition's vision for over 900 miles of trails would improve connections across King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. (Leafline Trails Coalition)

Group envisions robust links for Centennial Trail

Leafline Trail Coalition’s map has over 900 miles through King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

Leafline Trails Coalition's vision for over 900 miles of trails would improve connections across King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. (Leafline Trails Coalition)
A vehicle turns left, westbound on 35th Ave SE from Seattle Hill Rd in Mill Creek, Washington on June 2, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Crash history limits left turns at Mill Creek traffic signal

Drivers on 35th Avenue SE hoping to turn left onto Seattle Hill Road have different phasing if they’re going east or west.

A vehicle turns left, westbound on 35th Ave SE from Seattle Hill Rd in Mill Creek, Washington on June 2, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Rep. Rick Larsen shares a laugh during a bike tour of the Interurban Trail through Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds, Washington on May 23, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

‘Is this the Interurban?’ Trail advocates seek federal money

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen toured parts of the Interurban Trail in Mountlake Terrace, where it seemingly vanishes and joins a road.

Rep. Rick Larsen shares a laugh during a bike tour of the Interurban Trail through Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds, Washington on May 23, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Cars wait to turn onto Highway 9 from Bickford Avenue on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Roundabout coming to dangerous Bickford-Highway 9 intersection

WSDOT is building a roundabout at Bickford Avenue and Highway 9, where drivers are expected to enter at 15 mph.

Cars wait to turn onto Highway 9 from Bickford Avenue on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Juan Luna, left, and Jeff Austin tune up bicycles to be donated Tuesday afternoon at Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop in Everett, Washington on May 10, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Afghanistan, Ukraine refugees get bikes, bus passes and rides

One nonprofit needs volunteers to repair 40 kids bikes for refugees. Another agency could use cash gift cards.

Juan Luna, left, and Jeff Austin tune up bicycles to be donated Tuesday afternoon at Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop in Everett, Washington on May 10, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Gas prices in the Seattle area have jumped recently, prompting some commuters to stop driving and take transit or bike and walk. (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

Bus ridership grows as gas prices soar

Employers calling staff back to in-person work also is a factor behind greater mass transit usage.

Gas prices in the Seattle area have jumped recently, prompting some commuters to stop driving and take transit or bike and walk. (U.S. Energy Information Administration)
Traffic moves along Filbert Drive next to pedestrians walking along a new section of the North Creek Regional Trail on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

North Creek Trail section near Bothell almost ready

Final paving is set this summer for the first phase of the 2.42-mile trail north of Centennial Park.

Traffic moves along Filbert Drive next to pedestrians walking along a new section of the North Creek Regional Trail on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The curb median keeps vehicles from the shoulder on the south side 20th Street SE (eastbound) in Lake Stevens, Washington on April 21, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Why does a curb keep cars away from bus stop in Lake Stevens?

Built in late 2020 and early 2021, the divider stops drivers from using the eastbound lane’s shoulder.

The curb median keeps vehicles from the shoulder on the south side 20th Street SE (eastbound) in Lake Stevens, Washington on April 21, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The I-5, Highway 529 and the BNSF railroad bridges cross over Union Slough as the main roadways for north and southbound traffic between Everett and Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

I-5 HOV lane, Highway 529 interchange work to start this year

WSDOT awarded the $123.1 million project’s design-build contract to Guy F. Atkinson Construction.

The I-5, Highway 529 and the BNSF railroad bridges cross over Union Slough as the main roadways for north and southbound traffic between Everett and Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The McClinchy Mile Camano Climb Bike Ride is back after a two-year hiatus. (B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County)

McClinchy Mile Bike Ride back after two-year pandemic hiatus

Cyclists new and experienced can find a route between 15 and 50 miles in Camano Island and Stanwood.

The McClinchy Mile Camano Climb Bike Ride is back after a two-year hiatus. (B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County)
Drivers head northbound on I-5 through Everett on Thursday night. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Are headlights brighter? No, but they can feel like it

Light from modern vehicles often appear brighter and can cause worse glare. But new tech could help.

Drivers head northbound on I-5 through Everett on Thursday night. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pieces of trash litter the side of Highway 522 as a car drives by on Monday, March 21, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

During the pandemic, roadside trash piled up in Washington

One reader noticed more litter along Highway 522. Cleaning up is a team effort of state agencies, volunteers and inmates.

Pieces of trash litter the side of Highway 522 as a car drives by on Monday, March 21, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A BNSF train crosses Grove St/72nd St, NE in Marysville, Washington on March 17, 2022. Marysville recently got funding for design work for an overcrossing at the intersection. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

State funds to bridge the gap for Marysville rail crossings

The city’s getting $5 million for the Grove Street overcrossing and $500,000 for 156th Street NE.

A BNSF train crosses Grove St/72nd St, NE in Marysville, Washington on March 17, 2022. Marysville recently got funding for design work for an overcrossing at the intersection. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)