Street Smarts

Cars headed north on Highway 9 line up south of the light at 30th Street on Friday, July 9, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

No quick solutions to Highway 9 commute through Snohomish

Some drivers try shortcuts that frustrate neighbors and add to the gridlock in the area.

Cars headed north on Highway 9 line up south of the light at 30th Street on Friday, July 9, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington Public Works staff install the final crosswalk sign at the completed cross walk at the corner of 180th Street NE and Smokey Point Boulevard on Sunday, June 27, 2021 in Arlington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Speedy Smokey Point Boulevard is temporarily slowed down

The change is part of a “complete streets” demonstration for shared roads — and it could be the future.

Arlington Public Works staff install the final crosswalk sign at the completed cross walk at the corner of 180th Street NE and Smokey Point Boulevard on Sunday, June 27, 2021 in Arlington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Transit has cut Sunday and holiday service, plus Route 6 which loops from Everett Station to College station and West Marine View Drive along the waterfront. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Everett council asks for transit merger steering committee

Survey results show strong support for growth options, which prompted the City Council to act.

Everett Transit has cut Sunday and holiday service, plus Route 6 which loops from Everett Station to College station and West Marine View Drive along the waterfront. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Community Transit is asking for feedback on options for a pilot program to bring a community van or microtransit, on-demand public transit, to Lynnwood in spring next year. (Community Transit)

Are you ready for public transit ride-sharing in Lynnwood?

Community Transit is planning a pilot program next spring and wants to hear what people think.

Community Transit is asking for feedback on options for a pilot program to bring a community van or microtransit, on-demand public transit, to Lynnwood in spring next year. (Community Transit)
WSDOT is set to begin work building a second northbound lane on Highway 9 from Market Place to Fourth Street NE.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Months-long work on Highway 9 coming for Lake Stevens

Crews will soon begin building a second northbound Highway 9 lane near Market Place.

WSDOT is set to begin work building a second northbound lane on Highway 9 from Market Place to Fourth Street NE.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A tractor-trailer drives by a damaged fence surrounding a stormwater detention pond along Fourth Street on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Can bigger, shinier signs stop crashes at this Everett road?

A reader asks how the city addresses a situation where so many don’t negotiate a curve.

A tractor-trailer drives by a damaged fence surrounding a stormwater detention pond along Fourth Street on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A bicycle, a bus, a little sweat: Adventures in driving less

Not everyone was on their best behavior, but a newbie transit rider managed to master the bike rack.

Tim's Bike Shop owner Jay Hiester, right, opens a new bike chain while mechanic Gavin Buchanan, left, looks for tools on Friday, May 21, 2021 in Everett, Wash.

Want to buy a bicycle? Better order now or hope for a used one

Snohomish County's bike shops are running out of stock and supplies to repair and restore old ones.

Tim's Bike Shop owner Jay Hiester, right, opens a new bike chain while mechanic Gavin Buchanan, left, looks for tools on Friday, May 21, 2021 in Everett, Wash.

E-bikes are booming, whether or not we’re ready

Sales have spiked the past several years. In Snohomish County, they’re expected to gain popularity.

Herald Street Smarts columnist Ben Watanabe and Edmonds City Councilman Luke Distelhorst tour planned new bike lanes on Bowdoin Way on Tuesday morning in Edmonds. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Edmonds will add more bike lanes, reduce some street parking

The city will use a $1.85 million grant from Sound Transit to improve bicycle and pedestrian connections.

Herald Street Smarts columnist Ben Watanabe and Edmonds City Councilman Luke Distelhorst tour planned new bike lanes on Bowdoin Way on Tuesday morning in Edmonds. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Bikes Club of Snohomish County on Grand Ave on their way from Everett waterfront to Snohomish Thursday morning on April 29, 2021.
(Kevin Clark / The Herald)

‘Healthy Streets’ not coming back, but Everett plans bike work

Staff review road projects for low-cost way to improve bike infrastructure. Advocates want more.

Bikes Club of Snohomish County on Grand Ave on their way from Everett waterfront to Snohomish Thursday morning on April 29, 2021.
(Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Looking east from the Highway 9 the overpass over U.S. 2 in Snohomish on Tuesday afternoon January 8, 2019. Median barriers are in planning. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

U.S. 2 segment’s median barriers in place, bridge work ahead

The dividers are intended to reduce crashes. Pilchuck River bridge joints, meanwhile, will be replaced.

Looking east from the Highway 9 the overpass over U.S. 2 in Snohomish on Tuesday afternoon January 8, 2019. Median barriers are in planning. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Drivers go around a roundabout at 204th Street NE and 77th Avenue NE on Monday, April 12, 2021 in Arlington, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

As Amazon moves in, Arlington’s roads are already strained

The city and state are spending millions to improve traffic flow with more lanes and roundabouts.

Drivers go around a roundabout at 204th Street NE and 77th Avenue NE on Monday, April 12, 2021 in Arlington, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
The state House transportation budget proposes $15,000,000 to widen state improving Highway 524 between 24th Avenue West in Lynnwood and 9th Avenue SE.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Who wants a wider Highway 524 between Bothell and Lynnwood?

The project list includes expanding the three-mile, two-lane road between Bothell and Lynnwood.

The state House transportation budget proposes $15,000,000 to widen state improving Highway 524 between 24th Avenue West in Lynnwood and 9th Avenue SE.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Ben Watanabe, Street Smarts columnist, is committing to ditching his car as often as possible in 2021. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)

My pledge to drive a car less often is on shaky footing

But I finally have a transit fare card, and I worry less about the COVID-19 risk on buses.

Ben Watanabe, Street Smarts columnist, is committing to ditching his car as often as possible in 2021. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)
Everett Transit is staying fare-free through June. (Sue Misao / Herald file)

Everett Transit: Stay the same, grow, or merge and grow?

An online open house and survey explore how bus service should evolve — and how much it will cost.

Everett Transit is staying fare-free through June. (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Ian Terry / The Herald

Brian Henderson, of Renton, plugs in his Kia Soul EV electric vehicle at a charging station in Sultan on Wednesday, June 7. Henderson and a group of fellow electric car drivers made the trip from Everett's City Hall to Spokane's City Hall late last week in an effort to raise awareness about convenient charging locations along U.S. Highway 2.

Photo taken on 06072017

PUD offers hundreds of dollars to some electric car buyers

People who buy qualifying electric cars and charging stations can get hundreds of dollars back.

Ian Terry / The Herald

Brian Henderson, of Renton, plugs in his Kia Soul EV electric vehicle at a charging station in Sultan on Wednesday, June 7. Henderson and a group of fellow electric car drivers made the trip from Everett's City Hall to Spokane's City Hall late last week in an effort to raise awareness about convenient charging locations along U.S. Highway 2.

Photo taken on 06072017
Leigh Spruce gets off of Everett Para Transit at the Everett Mall on Thursday, March 11, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Where does Everett need accessible curb ramps and sidewalks?

The city is finishing an ADA transition plan to identify right-of-way barriers and how to fix them.

Leigh Spruce gets off of Everett Para Transit at the Everett Mall on Thursday, March 11, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Traffic along Hwy 2 in Monroe of Sunday afternoon on March 7, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Gold Bar fire chief pleads for U.S. 2 traffic help from state

The highway’s long had backups. But now drivers are using apps that take them onto narrow side roads.

Traffic along Hwy 2 in Monroe of Sunday afternoon on March 7, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Parked tractor-trailers line the side of 40th Avenue NE on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 in Marysville, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Worker wonders why dead end Marysville road is rough and rutty

A stretch of 40th Avenue NE is mostly used for heavy trucking and isn’t in line for repairs soon.

Parked tractor-trailers line the side of 40th Avenue NE on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 in Marysville, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)