A traffic study released Monday Sept. 30 about dangerous roads in Washington tells Snohomish County residents what they already knew: The worst is the 29 miles of Highway 99 between Holden Street in Seattle and Everett.
In all, five of the most dangerous 15 traffic routes within the state are in all or part of the county.
The study was produced by a nonprofit, independent organization from Washington, D.C., at the request of the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association as evidence to be used in support of Referendum 51, which will be on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
The measure asks area voters to raise the gas tax by 9 cents a gallon, an increase from 23 to 32 cents. Over 10 years, it would raise nearly $8 billion for transportation projects.
The research group, The Road Information Program, looked at the “societal cost per mile,” meaning economic effects of accidents within given routes, organization spokesman Frank Morettti said.
Societal costs include loss of life, and other economic costs, such as loss of productivity due to a disabling injury, medical costs and property damage.
Along with the 29-mile stretch of Highway 99, other road in Snohomish County and their ranks among the 50 include:
• Highway 524 From Highway 104 in Edmonds to 23rd Avenue SE in Bothell, No. 37.
• Highway 104 from the Edmonds ferry to Lake Forest Park, No. 38.
• Highway 527 From Bothell to I-5 in Everett, No. 28.
• Highway 522 From I-5 to NE 195th Street in Woodinville, No. 14.
• U.S. 2 in the Monroe area, No. 3.
• I-5 between Tumwater and north Marysville, No. 6.
• I-405 from Tukwila to I-5 in Snohomish County, No. 7.
• Highway 96 from I-5 to 125th Street SE, No. 22
• Highway 9 from Highway 522 to 160th Street SE, No. 39.
• Highway 9 from Marsh Road to 42nd Street NE, No. 42.
• U.S. 2 from I-5 in Everett to Campbell Road, No. 49.
Moretti said his group takes no position on Referendum 51, but money is essential to fixing dangerous or clogged roads. It will take time, however.
“Over time, if you invest money on key roadways across the state, you will see the benefit,” he said. “Along those corridors you will have fewer serious accidents.”
Seven of the top 10 roads eyed for fixing by R-51 are included on Moretti’s list, he said.
Trooper Monica Hunter, a spokeswoman for the State Patrol, said the troopers association wanted to take a stance on the referendum, but didn’t have enough data.
“It was really important that we have an impartial agency tell us about the conditions of the roads around here,” Hunter said.
The report supports the contention “we have dangerous roads” that Hunter said are targeted under the referendum. Although Moretti’s group doesn’t support or oppose the measure, “his data supports it,” Hunter said. Jim Haley writes for the Herald in Everett.
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