Press release from the Snohomish County Public Works Department, May 15:
EVERETT- Ongoing road maintenance is critical to Snohomish County’s infrastructure – winter weather, summer heat, and heavy traffic add to the natural breakdown of roadways over time. To maintain a safe and smooth ride for drivers, Snohomish County Public Works plans out the maintenance and preservation of its more than 1,600 miles of roads. This year, Snohomish County Public Works is improving about 73 miles of county roads through its annual road resurfacing programs.
“The county has developed a multi-year plan to preserve and maintain county roads in the most cost-effective way possible,” Snohomish County Engineer and Public Works Deputy Director Doug McCormick said. “This year, we will pave approximately five miles of road with asphalt through our Paving Program and pre-level and/or chip seal approximately 68 miles of road as part of our Chip Seal Program. This work saves tax dollars and keeps people and goods moving.”
As part of the pre-level work, crews will patch potholes, improve uneven or failing pavement sections, repair subgrade and drainage issues, and trim vegetation. Chip sealing extends the life of the road surface for an additional seven to 10 years, saving the county money as the cost is about one-third of asphalt overlay.
Paving Program
This year’s paving work takes place between May and September. While there are many locations across the county where work will take place, two paving projects will impact the most drivers:
- 132 St SE/134 Pl SE/Cathcart Way, from Seattle Hill Road to SR 9 – Construction started this month and drivers should expect lane closures along the corridor through the summer. Some work is expected overnight during the summer months.
- 164 St SW, from Spruce Way to Ash Way – Construction is expected to start in June and will occur mostly overnight. At least one driving lane will remain open in each direction, minimizing impacts to drivers.
Where applicable, sidewalk ramps will be upgraded to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The Paving Program focuses on preserving pavement before it fails by milling and/or repairing pavement as needed and placing a new layer of asphalt on top. A typical paved road has a serviceable life of 15-30 years depending upon location, traffic volumes, weather, and truck or heavy vehicle usage. The work will be completed by paving contractors and county crews.
Chip Seal Program
Pre-leveling work began in April. Chip sealing work will begin in July and is expected to be completed by the end of September. For the week following chip seal placement, a temporary speed limit of 20 miles per hour will be in effect where work was completed. Adherence to this temporary speed limit allows the chips to bind to the asphalt and minimizes the likelihood of loose, flying chips causing damage to a vehicle’s body or windshield. Crews will return approximately within a week to sweep up any loose chips and replace pavement striping. Both chip seal and paving are weather-dependent work. All preliminary schedules are subject to change.
Work is scheduled for the following unincorporated areas of Snohomish County:
| County Area | Number of Road Locations | Total Road Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 15 | 9.6 miles |
| Tulalip/Lakewood | 13 | 7.6 miles |
| Granite Falls | 5 | 7.2 miles |
| Stanwood | 3 | 2.3 miles |
| Cathcart | 2 | 2.0 miles |
| Lake Stevens/Machias | 9 | 5.9 miles |
| Lynnwood | 1 | 1.1 miles |
| Mill Creek | 1 | 3.1 miles |
| Monroe | 14 | 10.2 miles |
| Snohomish | 17 | 12.0 miles |
| Sultan/Sky Valley | 7 | 11.9 miles |
For more information about the Paving Program or Chip Seal Program, visit snohomishcountywa.gov/resurfacing. And for a countywide map of paving and chip seal projects for 2024, visit bit.ly/SnoCoPavingMap2024
Relevant URLs:
- Snohomish County website: snohomishcountywa.gov/
- Paving and Chip Seal program webpage: snohomishcountywa.gov/resurfacing
- Paving and Chip Seal program 2024 countywide map: bit.ly/SnoCoPavingMap2024
About Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for approximately 1,600 miles of county roads, more than 200 bridges and manages about 200 traffic control signals. The department also processes nearly600,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment. Public Works has won numerous state and national honors for its work and is the second-largest department within Snohomish County government with approximately500 employees plus seasonal staff. Its main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA 98201. Visit snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks or follow the department on Facebook, Instagram, and X for more information about Snohomish County Public Works.
