Transportation

Felipe Hernandez, left, and his son Tony Hernandez speak about the impact the Light Rail plan would have on their business and the greater local community outside of their store on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In light rail’s path, Casino Road businesses brace for impact

Where stations go, displacement and redevelopment follow. Everett is weighing options to cushion the blow for Casino Square.

Felipe Hernandez, left, and his son Tony Hernandez speak about the impact the Light Rail plan would have on their business and the greater local community outside of their store on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Traffic cameras on Tuesday showed heavy smoke and flames at separate fires in dry grass right along the freeway, near the exits to 144th and 156th streets NE. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

Cause unclear in series of brush fires in Marysville that closed I-5

The fires, spreading along northbound I-5, backed up traffic for at least 7 miles Tuesday. More than 100 firefighters responded.

Traffic cameras on Tuesday showed heavy smoke and flames at separate fires in dry grass right along the freeway, near the exits to 144th and 156th streets NE. (Washington State Department of Transportation)
Culvert replacement under 128th Street SE and Highway 96 near McCollum Park in Martha Lake, Washington on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

More weekend closures set for 128th Street SE and Highway 96

The busy road near Everett and Mill Creek is set for westbound lane closures and only one eastbound lane this weekend.

Culvert replacement under 128th Street SE and Highway 96 near McCollum Park in Martha Lake, Washington on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A car drives west on Madison Street past new bike lane curbs on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett bike lanes’ white curb, paint confuse drivers on Madison

A reader asked for better warning about short curbs at Madison Street and Evergreen Way. Flexible posts are coming.

A car drives west on Madison Street past new bike lane curbs on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett

Broadway lane reductions set for 2 weeks in Everett

The road is scheduled to drop to one lane in each direction 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays between 35th Street and Hewitt Avenue.

Everett
Culvert replacement under 128th Street SE and Highway 96 near McCollum Park in Martha Lake, Washington on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Drivers must reroute so salmon have a better commute near Mill Creek

This weekend, lanes on 128th Street SE and Highway 96 will be closed west of Dumas Road and Elgin Way for culvert replacement.

Culvert replacement under 128th Street SE and Highway 96 near McCollum Park in Martha Lake, Washington on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A pickup truck without a mounted front plate is parked in a parking lot Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. The state of Washington requires front and rear plates with few exceptions. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Reader: Are more drivers removing license plates?

State patrol traffic stop data doesn’t show a significant increase in plate or registration infractions.

A pickup truck without a mounted front plate is parked in a parking lot Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. The state of Washington requires front and rear plates with few exceptions. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Employees stand and watch the first Boeing 737 at Paine Field prepare to take off Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Paine Field or Sea-Tac? A tale of two prices

Airfare from Sea-Tac can be cheaper than Paine Field, but flying from Everett can be less of a hassle.

Employees stand and watch the first Boeing 737 at Paine Field prepare to take off Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is joined by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Patty Murray while they listen to where some of the federal funds have been implemented in the Washington State Ferry system on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Buttigieg visits Mukilteo for plans to electrify Washington ferries

U.S. Transportation Secretary: Washington state is ‘leading the way’ with its transition to electric ferries.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is joined by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Patty Murray while they listen to where some of the federal funds have been implemented in the Washington State Ferry system on Thursday, July 6, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A cyclist from the Centennial Trail tries to navigate through traffic backed up on Dubuque Road turning onto Machias Road on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Changes ‘queued up’ for intersection at Dubuque, South Machias

Snohomish County Public Works is set to begin a study of intersection improvements near Lake Stevens.

A cyclist from the Centennial Trail tries to navigate through traffic backed up on Dubuque Road turning onto Machias Road on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Leave early or late to skirt Independence Day travel throngs

Ferry terminals and roads are likely to get busy as early as Thursday afternoon. Here’s how to beat the rush.

Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Construction workers walk along the underside of the Lynnwood Link light rail tracks on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett light rail choices refined amid calls for in-road options

Leaked documents gave a glimpse into possible displacement. But a final decision on locations is still years out.

Construction workers walk along the underside of the Lynnwood Link light rail tracks on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cars stop and go around the intersections of Lowell Larimer, Marsh and Seattle Hill roads in Snohomish, Washington on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

No changes planned for rural roads near Mill Creek, Snohomish

Larimers Corner has two intersections close together that can get busy during the eastbound afternoon commute.

Cars stop and go around the intersections of Lowell Larimer, Marsh and Seattle Hill roads in Snohomish, Washington on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
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WSDOT slows southbound Steamboat Slough Bridge traffic after structural concerns

State says bridge is safe, but slower traffic, ‘lessens stress on the entire bridge structure.’

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A ferry heads out from Mukilteo towards Clinton during the evening commute Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

How much is that ferry ride going to cost in October?

The public is encouraged to speak up now, in person or online, to be heard about the fare increase starting Oct. 1.

A ferry heads out from Mukilteo towards Clinton during the evening commute Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Highway 9 is set to be closed in both directions for a week as construction crews build a roundabout at the intersection with Vernon Road. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

Another Highway 9 weeklong closure set for Lake Stevens

Construction crews need another full closure to finish building the roundabout at the intersection of Highways 9 and 204.

Highway 9 is set to be closed in both directions for a week as construction crews build a roundabout at the intersection with Vernon Road. (Washington State Department of Transportation)
A truck pulls out onto US-2 from Main Street on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As Sultan grows, city backs a 4-lane highway with roundabouts

Already the state is in the early design stage for a U.S. 2 roundabout to replace the signal at Fern Bluff and Old Owen roads.

A truck pulls out onto US-2 from Main Street on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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)

Dry, warm weather means Snohomish County road work galore

Highway 9 is set for closures and detours in June in Lake Stevens and Marysville. The county is resurfacing 59 miles of roads.

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)
A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Everett light rail options could get thinned this month

Sound Transit board members are set to consider which alternatives to advance for the next round of evaluation.

A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
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.

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)