Street Smarts

Vehicles on Soper Hill Road wait in line to make unprotected left turns onto Highway 9 northbound and southbound during the evening commute Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens development prompts Highway 9 signal change soon

Turning left from Soper Hill Road can be a long wait now. Flashing yellow turn signals could help with more traffic.

Vehicles on Soper Hill Road wait in line to make unprotected left turns onto Highway 9 northbound and southbound during the evening commute Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A sign diverts bicyclists to a short path that leads to the shoulder of U.S. 2 headed east near the junction with Highway 204 on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Yes, it’s legal (and risky) to bike on WA highways — with big exceptions

A reader asked about the legality of biking on the shoulder of U.S. 2 after a run-in with law enforcement.

A sign diverts bicyclists to a short path that leads to the shoulder of U.S. 2 headed east near the junction with Highway 204 on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Vehicles head south on Highway 9 towards the intersection at 64th Street NE on Thursday, March 2, 2023, near Walmart in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Highway 9 due for more road work between Lake Stevens, Marysville

The state has a contract for crews to go out this year and repair the road between 132nd Street NE and Highway 528.

Vehicles head south on Highway 9 towards the intersection at 64th Street NE on Thursday, March 2, 2023, near Walmart in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Cars move northbound along Ninth Avenue on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds seeks traffic-calming program applications

For several years, radar speed signs have been the dominant answer. Depending on data and requests, that could change.

Cars move northbound along Ninth Avenue on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Handicap parking spaces outside of Hunan Palace Restaurant & Lounge on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Reader asks: What are the rules for accessible parking?

A Lake Stevens man noticed all of the accessible spots were taken up at his regular lunch spot.

Handicap parking spaces outside of Hunan Palace Restaurant & Lounge on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Students load onto the 116 Community Transit bus after school on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Community Transit overhaul accounts for light rail timeline limbo

The Snohomish County agency has planned a major redesign for service once light rail gets here.

Students load onto the 116 Community Transit bus after school on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Community Transit is leasing a 60-foot articulated BYD battery electric bus this year as an early step in the zero emission planning process. (Community Transit)

Community Transit testing 60-foot electric bus

The agency leased the BYD K11M for $132,000 this year as the first step in its zero-emission planning process.

Community Transit is leasing a 60-foot articulated BYD battery electric bus this year as an early step in the zero emission planning process. (Community Transit)
Construction continues on the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Paved path, plaza coming to Mountlake Terrace near light rail

The public space additions are envisioned as boosting access to the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center.

Construction continues on the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A white lane line juts out of place along I-5 northbound through Everett on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Wonky I-5 lane striping in Everett to get temporary refresh

During weekend work, contractor crews are slated to try to repaint northbound temporary lane striping past 41st Street.

A white lane line juts out of place along I-5 northbound through Everett on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Traffic from Costco turns left onto 24th Street SE past a closed South Lake Stevens Road on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

South Lake Stevens Road spur still closed, could open in February

A reader asked when the segment would open because it will cut almost 1.5 miles from his daily bike commute.

Traffic from Costco turns left onto 24th Street SE past a closed South Lake Stevens Road on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Students load onto the 116 Community Transit bus after school on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Early Community Transit data shows youth ridership bump

After adopting free fare for riders 18 and under in September, youth ridership accounted for 11% to 28% on 13 routes.

Students load onto the 116 Community Transit bus after school on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Decisions on light rail, buses and more loom in 2023

Snohomish County’s top transportation stories include Sound Transit Link, bus agency changes and highway shifts.

Traffic moves northbound on Highway 525 past an empty ferry lane on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Even with new terminal, old Highway 525 ferry lane staying put

A reader asked if there were plans to turn the lane on the hill south of 5th Street into a bike and pedestrian space.

Traffic moves northbound on Highway 525 past an empty ferry lane on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A small blue light shines on the backside of a traffic signal at the intersection of Broadway and Everett Avenue on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in downtown Everett, Washington. The lights are designed to help law enforcement catch drivers who blow red lights. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Those blue lights on traffic signals help nab red-light runners

The indicator turns on when the traffic signal is red, which lets law enforcement officers know.

A small blue light shines on the backside of a traffic signal at the intersection of Broadway and Everett Avenue on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in downtown Everett, Washington. The lights are designed to help law enforcement catch drivers who blow red lights. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Traffic moves northbound on I-5 through Everett on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grinding work still needed for I-5 through Everett

Construction crews need warmer temps for the work to remove what a reader described as “mini raised speed bumps.”

Traffic moves northbound on I-5 through Everett on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Eric Wilkinson, a Community Transit driver of 17 years, departs from Seaway Transit Center in an empty 280 bus Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Everett, Washington. Wilkinson said he usually has about 5 passengers from Boeing on the bus to Granite Falls, but had none Friday because Boeing was closed for the holiday weekend. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Driver shortage prompts Community Transit’s trip cut proposal

Reducing service, by 78 trips total on 9 routes, could make for more reliable arrivals and departures in March.

Eric Wilkinson, a Community Transit driver of 17 years, departs from Seaway Transit Center in an empty 280 bus Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Everett, Washington. Wilkinson said he usually has about 5 passengers from Boeing on the bus to Granite Falls, but had none Friday because Boeing was closed for the holiday weekend. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Cars drive along 76th Avenue West in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds eyes speed cameras near three schools

Roads near Edmonds-Woodway High, Chase Lake Elementary and Westgate Elementary could get automated enforcement.

Cars drive along 76th Avenue West in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Light rail construction is seen just beyond a vacant property on Alderwood Mall Property on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Light rail deal could push proposed Lynnwood apartment north

Sound Transit is considering moving part of Alderwood Mall Boulevard a little to make room for the elevated track.

Light rail construction is seen just beyond a vacant property on Alderwood Mall Property on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Officials gather outside two of Everett’s electric buses to discuss the new BattGenie system on Monday, June 27, 2022, at the Everett Transit bus yard in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Earlier, later service proposed for Everett Transit in March

A bridge replacement will force a major change for the Mukilteo ferry route. Others shifts focus on transfers and access.

Officials gather outside two of Everett’s electric buses to discuss the new BattGenie system on Monday, June 27, 2022, at the Everett Transit bus yard in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Doug Wennerberg boards the ParaTranist bus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

What Snohomish County officials learned from not driving

Several city, county and state lawmakers and transit officials participated in the Week Without Driving challenge.

Doug Wennerberg boards the ParaTranist bus on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)