Project Facts
- Snohomish County's population has grown by more than 37 percent in the past 15 years.
- Approximately 40 percent of Snohomish County's 300,000 workers commute outside of the county every day.
- In 2000, 5,499,000 tons of goods were moved on SR 9 between SR 522 and SR 530.
August 2008
- We are completing analysis on proposed improvements to the US 2 ramps at SR 9
- In early fall we will meet with the corridor working group to determine which options should be included in the final project reccomendation list
- On July 25 we briefed Snohomish County County Citizens for Improved Transportation (SCCIT) about the study
What is the SR 9 Route Development Plan (RDP)?
A route development plan is the first step in creating a long-term vision for a corridor.
Working with our partners and local communities, WSDOT will identify transportation related problems and propose a list of projects to address these problems for the SR 9 study area. The route development plan analysis focuses on issues that might affect the SR 9 corridor, as well as surrounding communities. Those issues include:
- safety
- traffic flow
- environmental issues
- population and land development
- right-of-way
While the final route development plan will contain a list of potential safety and mobility improvements for the corridor, it will not provide a budget, project designs or complete cost estimates required to build the improvements.
However, the route development plan can be used by local jurisdictions to solicit funding for community-supported, prioritized projects.
More information is available on the Web for other route development plans around the state.
Why is WSDOT
studying SR 9?
Between 2005 and 2013, WSDOT will spend more than $285 million to enhance safety and reduce congestion on SR 9. However, we still need to identify potential gaps not addressed by our current construction. We need a long range picture to determine how to handle this road's increasing traffic burden as Snohomish County's population continues to grow at a rapid pace.
Studying SR 9 to create a route development plan (RDP) is the first step in developing this future vision. An RDP will provide a comprehensive plan to address existing and future safety and congestion needs for this increasingly important alternative to I-5.
The End Result
When the SR 9 Route Development Plan is complete in 2008, WSDOT will have a list of short- and long-term congestion relief and safety projects for a 30 mile stretch of SR 9, from SR 522 to Schloman Road, just north of SR 530 in Arlington.
Local representatives and agencies can use the list to make decisions about where to invest public resources over the next 20 years to address safety and mobility issues.
Project Benefits
Regional & Statewide Planning: We will consider the long term needs of the quickly growing Snohomish County population and the increasing importance of this alternative route to I-5. The RDP will identify the future travel trends of communities surrounding SR 9 and how these trends might affect the way the road is being used. It will take this information and provide recommendations for projects to address these trends.
Safety: Between 2001 and 2006, approximately 2,500 collisions occurred on SR 9 with more than 1,700 resulting injuries and 12 fatalities. The route development plan will identify projects to help reduce the number and severity of these types of collisions.
Congestion Relief: From 2001 to 2006, traffic on SR 9 in Snohomish County increased by 25 percent. This study will seek opportunities to reduce or eliminate traffic bottlenecks and chokepoints where possible, while improving the flow of people and goods through the corridor.
Environment - Future proposed projects will support current regional environmental standards.
Population Growth - Snohomish County has grown by more than 37 percent in the last 15 years. We will look at estimated future growth to determine the best approach for safety and congestion improvements along this corridor.
What is the project timeline?
We began this study in spring 2007 by collecting travel related data for the state route and gathering comments from local communities. We are now reviewing this information to develop improvement options for SR 9. In early winter 2008, we expect complete the route development plan and make the final list of improvement options available on the WSDOT Website and at community locations. Please continue to provide your comments about this study and SR 9. We share your comments with our corridor working group who will help us to develop improvement options for the interstate.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are very important to us. Here is how you can get involved:
Environmental Protection
The SR 9 route development plan will identify known environmental and cultural/historic resources, such as endangered/threatened species, wetlands, geologic hazards, aquifers, and air/noise issues.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
All projects submitted for recommendation will be reviewed for pedestrian and driver safety. Additionally, projects to reduce or eliminate traffic chokepoints will also improve traffic safety.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
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.
For more information, please visit the WSDOT Tribal Liaison Web site.
Financial Information
Existing Funds: $1.5 million
Total Funding: $1.5 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Richard Warren, Project Manager
WSDOT Urban Planning Office
401 2nd Avenue South, Ste 300
Seattle , WA 98104
Phone: 206.464-1283
E-mail urbanplanning@wsdot.wa.gov
back to top