LYNNWOOD — One of the most dangerous intersections in Lynnwood just got safer.
After more than a year of delays, due to a required federal environmental review, the planned new signal at 188th Street SW and 40th Avenue W. is now in operation.
According to police officials, there have been 57 reported car accidents at that intersection from 1992 to present.
“Once it’s in operation for a while the communities to the north and south of 188th should learn to appreciate its utility,” said Bill Vlcek, Lynnwood public works director. “We were focused on providing a safer crossing environment for those folks and I think that’s exactly what they’ll see they’ve received.”
Lynnwood Police Sgt. Jon Grabinski, who is also an accident reconstructionist, had presented to the City Council his studies that show a significant problem with regards of speed and site obstructions at that intersection.
“On 188th, 75 percent of the traffic goes over the speed limit. On 40th, up to 83 percent speed,” he said.
Grabinski added, “the new signal should relieve the site distant problem on 188th and should make it easier for those who live north of 188th to get out of their neighborhood.”
Over the years, residents have said how much they usually don’t like more traffic signals but in the case of this intersection — most thought differently.
“It’s a bad intersection. There’s an accident there every couple of months. Two years ago, a car ended up in my front yard. I never let my three children play out front. They always play in the backyard,” Rusma Tjok has said.
Another resident, Ron Cummins had said, “I hate traffic lights but this is about safety. Safety wise a traffic light is necessary at this intersection.”
Some other residents did have concerns, however, about possible backups from the signal and difficulty getting out of their driveways near the intersection.
“We had similar concerns when we proposed to put in the signal at 44th and Maple (about three years ago). There were concerns about not being able to get out of driveways and some typical negative things about traffic signals, but once it had been in and operating we have received many thanks and compliments from citizens who were able to exit their neighborhoods in a much safer way than they did without the signal,” Vlcek said.
He added, at the new signal on 188th and 40th the city will keep the left-turn lane, because many of the reported incidents there had to do with individuals being rear-ended while trying to turn left from the two-lane road.
“We’ll be watching the traffic flow to see if we need to make any other changes,” Vlcek said, “but for now, it looks like it’s working really well.”
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