SR 532 - Corridor Improvements

SR 532 from Camano Island to Interstate 5 is the main connection to and from I-5 for the city of Stanwood and the only link to the mainland for Camano Island.

Overview
WSDOT developed a list of improvements that will increase safety and reduce travel time along State Route 532. This project will address a variety of safety and congestion issues by building a wider bridge to replace the General Mark Clark bridge, adding turn lanes at numerous intersections and installing three truck-climbing lanes.

Why is WSDOT improving SR 532 from Camano Island to I-5?
SR 532 provides the only connecting route to the mainland for Camano Island, as well as the primary connection to and from I-5 for the city of Stanwood and surrounding rural northwest Snohomish County.

The communities along SR 532 from Camano Island to  I-5 are growing and traffic demands are increasing proportionately. Those demands are creating congestion and an increased number of collisions. Statewide, collisions account for at least 25 percent of traffic backups.

As our state continues to grow, it will be necessary to develop additional traffic capacity. However, budgetary constraints and other factors mean we can’t simply build our way out of congestion. We must plan our projects wisely by targeting the worst traffic-flow bottlenecks in our system. Improving numerous intersections between Camano Island and I-5 will go a long way towards reducing congestion, while improving safety.

The End Result
We will provide the following improvements:

• Between 64th Ave NW and 12th Ave NW - We will install left-turn lanes at several intersections, construct a westbound truck-climbing lane between 12th Ave NW and 28th Ave NW and an eastbound truck-climbing lane between 52nd Ave. and 36th Ave., and provide access control for driveways.
• Between the General Mark Clark bridge and 72nd Ave. NW - We will repave this section of road and install left- and right-turn lanes at selected intersections, construct an eastbound truck-climbing lane between Pioneer Highway and 72nd Ave NW, update the sidewalks and driveways to meet ADA standards, and add sidewalks between 104th Avenue NW and 98th Avenue NW.
• Between Stanwood and Camano Island - We will replace the General Mark W. Clark Memorial Bridge with a wider and safer bridge. The new bridge will provide one lane in each direction and shared 14-foot shoulders to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians and allow room for vehicle breakdowns. The new bridge will meet stricter earthquake standards and require less maintenance. We will also construct a westbound left-turn pocket at Eide Road.
• Between N Sunrise Blvd. and Davis Slough - We will install left-turn lanes at selected intersections and modify driveways to align with intersection improvements. We will also provide bus pull-outs at selected locations.

Project Benefits

• Increase Safety - New turn lanes will help reduce the number of collisions by allowing a smoother flow of traffic through intersections. Improved driveways will keep cars entering and exiting the highway under safer conditions. The new bridge will have wide shoulders for emergency vehicles to get around stopped traffic, will be built with a lower profile which will improve sight distance and will meet improved earthquake standards. New bus pull-outs will provide a safe refuge for transit riders.
  
• Reduce Congestion - We will reduce choke points and congestion by adding new turn lanes and truck climbing lanes. Improved traffic flow allows goods, services and commuters to travel more quickly between urban centers such as Seattle and Everett and the Camano Island/Stanwood area.
  
• Maintain Infrastructure - Replacing the Gen. Mark Clark Memorial Bridge with a new bridge that has an expected service life of 75 years will eliminate the money and time spent to maintain the current 60-year-old bridge.
  
• A Better Environment - We will improve water quality and wildlife habitat by building stormwater treatment facilities to better control the road's storm-water runoff.

What is the project timeline?
July 2005 - We received funding for the project

March 5, 2008 - We held an open house in the City of Stanwood to share design and construction plans with the community

July 28, 2008 - We asked potential contractors to provide their qualifications to bid on the project (Request for Qualifications/RFQ).

October 2008 - We issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to short-listed firms.

January 29, 2009 - We awarded the contract to Parsons/Kuney Joint Venture.

June 8, 2009 - We held an open house at Stanwood High School from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. to bring the community up to date on design and construction plans.

March-July, 2009 - Crews completed surveying and soil testing along the SR 532.

July, 2009 - Construction began. 

Mid-2011 - We plan to have all lanes open to traffic.

Financial Information
This project is fully funded through the following sources.

• 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $73.7 million
• Pre-existing State Funds - $10.3 million 
• Total Funding From All Sources - $84 million

How can I get more information?
Contact:
WSDOT Communications Dave Chesson
9025 El Capitan Way
Everett, WA 98208
Phone: (360) 757-5970
E-mail: chessod@wsdot.wa.gov

or

WSDOT Project Engineer Mr. Robyn Boyd
9025 El Capitan Way
Everett, WA 98208
Phone: (425) 225-8754
E-mail: BoydRL@wsdot.wa.gov

back to top