Street Smarts

Traffic moves across the US 2 trestle between Everett and Lake Stevens on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$25M has been spent studying US 2 trestle. Are we any closer to a fix?

Over the past decade, half a dozen studies have examined the infamous arterial connecting Everett and Lake Stevens.

 

The roundabout at the intersection at 84th Street NE and 163rd Avenue NE on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)

New roundabout opens near Granite Falls, more improvements to come

Seeing up to 14,000 vehicles per day — many of them trucks hauling loads — the county looks toward safety.

 

Traffic drives though the roundabout in east Sultan on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2018 in Sultan, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New roundabout planned for US 2 through Sultan

A slew of projects next year will add safety features along U.S. 2, including a roundabout at Old Owen Road.

 

Pedestrians and cars cross over the 102nd Avenue bridge while a biker rides underneath along the Sammamish River Trail on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bothell getting head start on a better bridge across Sammamish River

City officials will use nearly $1.1 million of federal money for a study to plan for improvements to aging bridge.

Pedestrians and cars cross over the 102nd Avenue bridge while a biker rides underneath along the Sammamish River Trail on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A transit rider steps onto a Community Transit bus on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

What route should new Smokey Point bus route take through Marysville?

By 2029, the Gold Line will connect Everett Station to Smokey Point. Community Transit wants your input on the exact path.

A transit rider steps onto a Community Transit bus on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
An Everett Transit Route 6 bus arrives at the 13th Street stop near the Port of Everett on Aug. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett Transit can carry you to Music at the Marina this summer

The transit service is offering free shuttles from Everett Station to the port for the summer concert series.

An Everett Transit Route 6 bus arrives at the 13th Street stop near the Port of Everett on Aug. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Cars drive through the interchange near 88th street on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Tulalip I-5 project gets $5M federal boost

Upgrades at Fourth Street and 88th Street NE are part of a tribal project expected to cost over $60 million.

Cars drive through the interchange near 88th street on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The gate at Barlow Pass Trailhead on Mountain Loop Highway remains closed due to wet conditions on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in rural Snohomish County, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Hikers rejoice: Renewed road to Mount Pilchuck, Mountain Loop to open

The notoriously rough route to an iconic hike got a makeover. And the full Mountain Loop Highway, with routine repairs, opens Monday.

The gate at Barlow Pass Trailhead on Mountain Loop Highway remains closed due to wet conditions on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in rural Snohomish County, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
An airplane is parked at Gate M9 on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. (Jordan Hansen/The Herald)

Good luck to Memorial Day travelers: If you’re like me, you’ll need it

I spent a night in the Chicago airport. I wouldn’t recommend it — but with flight delays near an all-time high, you might want to pack a pillow.

An airplane is parked at Gate M9 on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. (Jordan Hansen/The Herald)
Community Transit is preparing to shift commuter buses that go to the University of Washington in Seattle to connect with Link light rail in Northgate next year. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

As Link nears in Lynnwood, Community Transit looks to drop commuter fare

Community Transit has “a lot to do to get ready” for light rail’s Aug. 30 arrival, the agency’s CEO said.

Community Transit is preparing to shift commuter buses that go to the University of Washington in Seattle to connect with Link light rail in Northgate next year. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Shoppers cross Alderwood Mall Parkway after leaving the mall and walking through its parking lot on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Alderwood mall lot, already a squeeze, may soon see more foot traffic

Alderwood mall is a popular destination in Snohomish County. But getting into the mall isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Shoppers cross Alderwood Mall Parkway after leaving the mall and walking through its parking lot on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The I-5, Highway 529 and the BNSF railroad bridges cross over Union Slough as the main roadways for north and southbound traffic between Everett and Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Highway 529 to close for months between Everett, Marysville

North of Everett, repairs of the old bridges along Highway 529 will be in full swing by February.

The I-5, Highway 529 and the BNSF railroad bridges cross over Union Slough as the main roadways for north and southbound traffic between Everett and Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Riders wait to board as a southbound Swift Blue Line bus arrives at the stop on Pacific Avenue on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Zero emissions by 2044 part of Community Transit’s long-range plan

The transit agency’s “Journey 2050” report gazes 25 years into the future, touching on ambitious goals with light rail arriving.

Riders wait to board as a southbound Swift Blue Line bus arrives at the stop on Pacific Avenue on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Trooper Heather Axtman talks to local residents hoping to get an escort into Index on Monday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Gold Bar, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).

When driving in snow and ice, sometimes it’s worth it to ‘stay home’

As temperatures dip, sometimes staying safe means not driving at all — a lesson this columnist learned one night on a Montana highway.

Trooper Heather Axtman talks to local residents hoping to get an escort into Index on Monday, Jan. 12, 2020 in Gold Bar, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).
Beaches and hiking trails at Deception Pass State Park are a 20-minute walk from the Island Transit bus stop near the park entrance on Highway 20 on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

From Mukilteo to Deception Pass on $6, bagel not included

Newsflash: In Island County, bus rides are free. Traveling the length of Whidbey Island can be an ideal winter day-trip.

Beaches and hiking trails at Deception Pass State Park are a 20-minute walk from the Island Transit bus stop near the park entrance on Highway 20 on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Sound Transit CEO exits, creating vacancy at pivotal moment for Link

After a little over a year, Julie Timm is leaving the regional public transit agency “to take care of family matters.”

A Sound Transit bus at it's new stop in the shadow of the newly opened Northgate Lightrail Station in Seattle. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A car drives over newly marked bike lanes at the intersection of College Avenue and 47th Street SE on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Stop sign change in Everett shines light on neighborhood traffic safety

A project on 47th Street SE aims to add safe bike lanes on lightly used roads. It’s been a test for drivers’ muscle memory.

A car drives over newly marked bike lanes at the intersection of College Avenue and 47th Street SE on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A car signals to take a right turn onto Mukilteo Boulevard while a red light is showing on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In Everett, right turns on red go under the microscope

Research suggests limiting right turns on red saves lives. Seattle and other metro areas have begun banning the turns.

A car signals to take a right turn onto Mukilteo Boulevard while a red light is showing on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
An Orca card on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

ORCA card makes transit simpler — and cheaper, too

Following an article about a trip from Everett to Sea-Tac, readers wrote in with one resounding suggestion: Get an ORCA card.

An Orca card on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
People board a bus at the Canyon Park Park & Ride Swift Green Line stop in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Swift bus lines expanding in Bothell, Marysville, Arlington

Community Transit is extending its Swift Green line to south Bothell, part of a big-picture plan to connect people to light rail.

People board a bus at the Canyon Park Park & Ride Swift Green Line stop in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)