EVERETT, OCT. 7: Results for a survey about improving the US 2 Trestle that connects Everett to Lake Stevens was released last week from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
The survey was a way to get further feedback from commuters for a study about future reconfiguration of the highway. The survey is part of The Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. The PEL study is the first step in the overall US 2 Trestle Capacity Improvements & Westbound Trestle Replacement project.
“We are getting people’s input and concerns before we start planning so then we can plan in a way that’s good for the community,” Eric Zackula, WSDOT Communications for the Northwest Region said.
Survey results:
More than 10,000 visited the online open house website and nearly 4,000 people responded to the survey. Of the 3,964 people who answered where they live, 12% said Everett. The majority of the people who took the survey live in Lake Stevens at 38%.
People said that the biggest issues travelling on or near the trestle are traffic back-ups and travel times. The second was the lack of detours.
One of the biggest takeaways that WSDOT received was the community opposition to tolling with 75% of voters against it.
A majority of the people who took the survey use the trestle for essential services like grocery shopping and medical visits. Of the 3,960 that answered, 83% said for shopping, errands and medical.
73% of commuters use the trestle for recreational activities as well. 64% of voters use the trestle to commute to and from work.
What is next:
The PEL study will run until this time next year in 2025.
By the end of the PEL study WSDOT will have a better understanding of what the trestle replacement will look like and how it will connect to the highway on both ends, Engineering Project Manager Oteberry Kedelty said.
“WSDOT needs to replace the US 2 trestle, so we are basically reconfiguring the interchange on the east side and the west side to the connection to I-5, and then on the roads on the east side, Lake Stevens side as well,” Kedelty said.
To follow along with the study, you can sign up for the WSDOT Snohomish County Newsletter email updates.
