It should have happened last year, but better late than never.
Road construction season is just around the corner and on the list is the widening of the Bothell-Everett Highway, also known as Highway 527. Commuters traveling through Mill Creek have endured the turtle’s pace of traffic during rush hour along that stretch of highway, between the 164th Street and 128th Street exits off Interstate 5. The project was planned for last year, but budgeting issues held it up until now.
This year, state officials have wisely chosen to spend the $10 million budgeted for construction costs and finish the widening project.
The city has become a central crossing ground for commuters all over the area. It is fed by I-405 and I-5, and used even by commuters from Highway 9 who are avoiding travel on Highway 2. Growth in Mill Creek and its surrounding urban growth areas has added more pressure into the mix, with apartments lining the very stretch of road that was already congested with commuters.
The area of road that will be widened, between 164th and 132nd streets, has groaned under the weekday pressure of 13,000 to 29,000 vehicles per day.
At the same time, the city of Mill Creek is completing its development within city limits and planning for the Town Center project. The construction of Town Center makes this project even more important.
This widening will make a big difference in the quality of life in Mill Creek. Residents can look forward to better traffic flow at the start and end of their busy days, and an improvement in the flow of business through the city.
Business owners can look forward to commuters that are less frustrated, and more willing to stop in and spend their money.
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