Transportation

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)
The M/V Puyallup docks at the Edmonds waterfront on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 in Edmonds. The ferry along with the passenger loading walkway were struck by lightning last week. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Tune in for virtual meeting on Edmonds-Kingston ferry

The series of Washington State Ferries meetings are for updates and public comment. A recording is available online.

The M/V Puyallup docks at the Edmonds waterfront on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 in Edmonds. The ferry along with the passenger loading walkway were struck by lightning last week. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
One of the Jetty Island ferry captains waits for boarders as the ferry begins operations for the summer on Wednesday, Jul. 6, 2016 in Everett. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Jetty Island ferry reservations open for summer

People can book trips there and back for $3 to $5, as well as $2 parking for eight hours when made online.

One of the Jetty Island ferry captains waits for boarders as the ferry begins operations for the summer on Wednesday, Jul. 6, 2016 in Everett. (Andy Bronson / 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)

Weeklong closure coming to Highway 9 section in Lake Stevens

Travelers should expect delays or find another way from Friday to Thursday between Highway 204 and Lundeen Parkway.

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)
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Nightly lane reductions, ramp closures set for I-405 near Lynnwood

Both directions of the interstate between Bothell and Lynnwood are set for disruptions this week.

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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.

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)
Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

To beat the rush this Memorial Day weekend, go early or late

AAA projects busy airports, ferries and roads over the holiday weekend this year, though still below pre-pandemic counts.

Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)