Street Smarts

Cars wait to turn onto Highway 9 from Bickford Avenue on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Roundabout coming to dangerous Bickford-Highway 9 intersection

WSDOT is building a roundabout at Bickford Avenue and Highway 9, where drivers are expected to enter at 15 mph.

Cars wait to turn onto Highway 9 from Bickford Avenue on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Juan Luna, left, and Jeff Austin tune up bicycles to be donated Tuesday afternoon at Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop in Everett, Washington on May 10, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Afghanistan, Ukraine refugees get bikes, bus passes and rides

One nonprofit needs volunteers to repair 40 kids bikes for refugees. Another agency could use cash gift cards.

Juan Luna, left, and Jeff Austin tune up bicycles to be donated Tuesday afternoon at Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop in Everett, Washington on May 10, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Gas prices in the Seattle area have jumped recently, prompting some commuters to stop driving and take transit or bike and walk. (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

Bus ridership grows as gas prices soar

Employers calling staff back to in-person work also is a factor behind greater mass transit usage.

Gas prices in the Seattle area have jumped recently, prompting some commuters to stop driving and take transit or bike and walk. (U.S. Energy Information Administration)
Traffic moves along Filbert Drive next to pedestrians walking along a new section of the North Creek Regional Trail on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

North Creek Trail section near Bothell almost ready

Final paving is set this summer for the first phase of the 2.42-mile trail north of Centennial Park.

Traffic moves along Filbert Drive next to pedestrians walking along a new section of the North Creek Regional Trail on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The curb median keeps vehicles from the shoulder on the south side 20th Street SE (eastbound) in Lake Stevens, Washington on April 21, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Why does a curb keep cars away from bus stop in Lake Stevens?

Built in late 2020 and early 2021, the divider stops drivers from using the eastbound lane’s shoulder.

The curb median keeps vehicles from the shoulder on the south side 20th Street SE (eastbound) in Lake Stevens, Washington on April 21, 2022. (Kevin Clark / 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)

I-5 HOV lane, Highway 529 interchange work to start this year

WSDOT awarded the $123.1 million project’s design-build contract to Guy F. Atkinson Construction.

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)
The McClinchy Mile Camano Climb Bike Ride is back after a two-year hiatus. (B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County)

McClinchy Mile Bike Ride back after two-year pandemic hiatus

Cyclists new and experienced can find a route between 15 and 50 miles in Camano Island and Stanwood.

The McClinchy Mile Camano Climb Bike Ride is back after a two-year hiatus. (B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County)
Drivers head northbound on I-5 through Everett on Thursday night. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Are headlights brighter? No, but they can feel like it

Light from modern vehicles often appear brighter and can cause worse glare. But new tech could help.

Drivers head northbound on I-5 through Everett on Thursday night. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pieces of trash litter the side of Highway 522 as a car drives by on Monday, March 21, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

During the pandemic, roadside trash piled up in Washington

One reader noticed more litter along Highway 522. Cleaning up is a team effort of state agencies, volunteers and inmates.

Pieces of trash litter the side of Highway 522 as a car drives by on Monday, March 21, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A BNSF train crosses Grove St/72nd St, NE in Marysville, Washington on March 17, 2022. Marysville recently got funding for design work for an overcrossing at the intersection. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

State funds to bridge the gap for Marysville rail crossings

The city’s getting $5 million for the Grove Street overcrossing and $500,000 for 156th Street NE.

A BNSF train crosses Grove St/72nd St, NE in Marysville, Washington on March 17, 2022. Marysville recently got funding for design work for an overcrossing at the intersection. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Vehicles travel along Highway 9, just south of 84th St NE on Friday, March 11, 2022, near Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Rough and rumbly section of Highway 9 set for emergency repairs

The road between Arlington and Lake Stevens has cracks and potholes. An emergency repairs contract is in the works.

Vehicles travel along Highway 9, just south of 84th St NE on Friday, March 11, 2022, near Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Two cyclists head eastbound along the Highway 2 trestle path Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett eyeing $1.35M to expand bike paths east of Broadway

The city could build bike-only paths and sidewalks on Fulton Street between California Street and Pacific Avenue.

Two cyclists head eastbound along the Highway 2 trestle path Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A public art bike rack is seen on the streets as a bus pulls up to a bus stop along Broadway Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

What are those green bulbs at Everett bus stops?

The bike racks are functional public art by artist Brian Borello, who made 22 for the city.

A public art bike rack is seen on the streets as a bus pulls up to a bus stop along Broadway Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Cars drive through the intersection of Highway 9 and South Lake Stevens Road on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As Lake Stevens braces for Costco traffic, Highway 9 gets new roundabout

Expect traffic disruptions and weekend closures as crews build the roundabout at Highway 9 and South Lake Stevens Road.

Cars drive through the intersection of Highway 9 and South Lake Stevens Road on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A Coho makes its way along Edgecomb Creek under a new culvert built specifically to make it easier for the spawning fish to navigate the creek on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 in Arlington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Transportation package could bring $600M to Snohomish County

Investments in highways, transit and culverts are part of Democrats’ proposal.

A Coho makes its way along Edgecomb Creek under a new culvert built specifically to make it easier for the spawning fish to navigate the creek on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018 in Arlington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Work to replace expansion joints and concrete panels on Interstate 5 through north Everett is slated to start this year. It will cause weekend lane and ramp closures. (WSDOT)

I-5 work through Everett will need weekend lane closures

A contractor will replace 108 concrete panels and eight expansion joints on northbound lanes.

Work to replace expansion joints and concrete panels on Interstate 5 through north Everett is slated to start this year. It will cause weekend lane and ramp closures. (WSDOT)
Northbound view of Evergreen Way at Casino Rd on Wednesday afternoon in Everett on November 17, 2021.    (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Amid concerns, Everett council puts off traffic camera vote

Some council members and residents questioned the equity of a red-light and school-speed-zone program.

Northbound view of Evergreen Way at Casino Rd on Wednesday afternoon in Everett on November 17, 2021.    (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The Snow Goose Transit bus at one of it's stops outside of the Lincoln Hill Retirement Community on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Catch a free bus between Camano, Stanwood, Smokey Point

Snow Goose Transit runs on weekdays, offering 15 stops and — for those with mobility issues — door-to-door service.

The Snow Goose Transit bus at one of it's stops outside of the Lincoln Hill Retirement Community on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Inches of snow cover roads Saturday afternoon in downtown Edmonds, Washington on February 13, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

After snowstorms, cities make a roadmap for next time

Meanwhile, Lynnwood was inundated with entries in a contest to name a city plow. One idea? Plowy McPlowface.

Inches of snow cover roads Saturday afternoon in downtown Edmonds, Washington on February 13, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Traffic moves along 172nd Street NE near the intersection at 23rd Avenue NE on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Development led to frequent street cleaning near Smokey Point

Work on a possible residential development tracked dirt onto the road. Marysville made the company clean it.

Traffic moves along 172nd Street NE near the intersection at 23rd Avenue NE on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)