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Project Facts

• There was a 39 percent increase in traffic on the exit from northbound I-5 to 88th Street between April 2002 and April 2006.
• 90 percent of the collisions that occur on the norhtbound I-5 exit ramp to 88th Street are rear-end collisions.
• In May, 2007 WSDOT installed new signals that rotated the westbound center lane between a left only lane to a through lane depending on what time of the day it was.

The Tulalip Tribe has designed and funded an interim solution to traffic congestion on the 88th Street overpass in Marysville. Improvements include:

• widening the northbound off-ramp to add a second left-turn lane
• removing the sidewalks on the south side of the overpass
• adding an additional lane to the west end of the overpass resulting in two eastbound lanes, two westbound left turn lanes and two through lanes
• upgrading signal poles

Why is WSDOT improving traffic flow on 88th Street?

Mirroring nearby residential and commercial growth, traffic volumes on this interchange have increased exponentially. 

• Since 1999, evening traffic headed west on 88th Street has increased 17 percent per year, or 178 percent between 1999 and 2006
• At the same time, evening traffic headed east on 88th Street increased 13 percent per year, or 121 percent between 1999 and 2006
• The total number of vehicles using the northbound I-5 exit to 88th Street increased by 39 percent between April 2002 and April 2006

WSDOT and the Tulalip Tribe have been working to find solutions for this area. Traffic trying to exit northbound I-5 often backs up on to the freeway, increasing the risk of collisions. Traffic attempting to reach the shopping center must often wait through multiple light cycles. Adding an additional left turn lane on the northbound off-ramp will allow more vehicles to travel through the intersection and continue to 88th Street NE during every light cycle.

On November 6, 2007 voters rejected Proposition 1, the Roads and Transit investment package, which would have provided additional funding for this overpass.

The End Result
Northbound I-5 drivers exiting to westbound 88th Street will have a second left-turn lane. Westbound drivers will have a total of four lanes, two through lane and two left-turn lanes.

Project Benefits

• Safety: Vehicles waiting to turn from northbound I-5 to westbound 88th Street will have an additional lane to queue in while waiting to turn. This will remove them from the high speed traffic on I-5 and reduce the risk of dangerous rear-end collisions.
• Congestion Relief: New lanes will help move traffic through this interchange more efficiently.

What is the project timeline?
August, 2007 - The Tulalip Tribe, WSDOT and Wilder Construction began work
Fall 2007 - We expect to complete this project

Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. For more details about project involvement, contact WSDOT Construction Engineer Marlin Lenssen at LenssMJ@wsdot.wa.gov.

Environmental Protection
During construction we will ensure that our contractor takes all necessary steps to protect the environment and to comply with environmental permits.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities
By building an additional turn lane on the northbound I-5 exit ramp, we will remove stopped cars from the fast moving traffic on I-5. This will greatly reduce the risk of rear end collisions.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
The Tulalip Tribe has determined that project will not effect natural resources. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has determined the project to be exempt from Section 106 review.

At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.

To learn more about the tribal consultation process please visit WSDOT's Tribal Liaison page, where you'll find links to WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and WSDOT's Tribal Consultation Policy (Adopted by the Transportation Commission on February 19, 2003).

Financial Information
This project is funded by the Tulalip Tribe and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

• Total funding from all sources - $1.5 million

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Tulalip Tribes Project Engineer Debra Bray
8802 27th Ave NE
Tulalip, WA 98271
Phone: 360-654-2608
24 hour emergency line: 425-754-2294
E-mail: DBray@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

or
 
WSDOT Construction Engineer Marlin Lenssen
9021 El Capitan Way
Everett, WA 98208-3637
Phone: 425-225-8770
E-mail: LenssMJ@wsdot.wa.gov

or

WSDOT Communications Meghan Soptich
15700 Dayton Avenue North
PO Box 330310 MS: 103
Seattle, WA 98133-9710
Phone: 206-440-4704
E-mail: sopticm@wsdot.wa.gov

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