The days are getting longer and yes, the weather is drying out and getting warmer. That means roadwork season is here. Here are some updates on selected North Sound projects.
Marysville – State Avenue
On Monday, Marysville will begin roadwork on State Avenue (old Hwy 99) between 1st Street and 72nd/Grove Street.
The $1.3 million project fully funded by the Washington State Dept. of Transportation National Highway System Asset Management Program will include several roadway updates. This project will improve intersections along this stretch of State Street including a new much needed traffic signal system, complete street repairs that will include new pavement across the entire roadway, and replace pedestrian ADA ramps.
The project along these eight tenths of a mile stretch of roadway will be conducted in phases. The first phase starting on Monday will involve ADA ramp improvements with only one lane open in each direction past the scene. Expect traffic delays and use alternate routes if possible. Pedestrians will still be able to walk through the construction sites with guided assistance.
By mid-May, the paving and traffic signal system part of the project will get underway with work limited to nighttime hours between 7 PM and 5 AM. One lane in each direction will remain open during this roadwork phase with access to businesses.
Project Engineer Adam Benton noted, “This section of State Avenue was last resurfaced in 2005. The improvements associated with this project will assure the continued preservation of this critical roadway, while assuring a smooth ride for drivers and improved safety for pedestrians.”
This project is slated to be completed by the first week of June. Until then, motorists should expect delays and are advised to take alternate routes as needed.
Part of Mountain Loop Highway Reopens
Snohomish County Public Works reopened part of the Mountain Loop Highway on Friday April 19th between the Deer Creek and Barlow Pass gates. Thanks to the lower than average mountain snowpack this winter season, this roadway opening was about a month earlier than usual in past years.
The rest of the unpaved roadway from Barlow Pass to Bedal Campground will remain closed until partner U.S. Forest Service determines that segment is safe for travel.
North Cascades Highway Reopens
State Route 20 – the North Cascades Highway – also reopened on Friday April 19th. Again, the lower than average mountain snowpack allowed crews to clear snow and reopen the highway about a month earlier than usual. It normally reopens in mid-May ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Interstate-5 Project between Marysville and Everett
For the daily average 61,000 motorists who drive along I-5 between Marysville and Everett, they have likely noticed a threshold in this $123 million project. The new median Jersey barrier has reached a conclusion.
Work has now focused on adding new ramps linking SR 529 and I-5, along with new roundabouts permitting drivers to access SR 529 in either the northbound or southbound directions. New ramps are also being installed connecting northbound I-5 to northbound SR 529, as well as connecting southbound SR 529 to southbound I-5.
The new ramps are intended to take some of the pressure off the SR 528 interchange in both directions of I-5, a significant choke point during heavy traffic periods.
This project will conclude with extending the northbound HOV lane from downtown Everett to SR 529 without widening the overall roadway and bridges. The fourth lane is targeted to help reduce congestion while enhancing traffic flow with the new SR 529 ramps.
The previous 12-foot wide lanes will ease down to 11 feet, and the shoulders in both directions will be narrower when done. This same concept to add a lane has been done on I-5 through downtown Seattle.
The entire I-5 project between Everett and Marysville is slated to be completed by this fall, much to the relief of motorists heading into the fall and winter weather seasons.
