Project Facts
- Snohomish County has grown by more than 37 percent in the last 15 years and the influx of people has greatly increased congestion, wear and tear and the possibility of collisions on this busy stretch of highway.
- We started construction on this section of SR 9 in summer 2005.
- Crews will construct right and left-turn lanes and sidewalks at key intersections, and stormwater treatment facilities to help prevent erosions and filter dirty highway runoff.
July 2008
- Crews finally got the warm, dry weather they needed to complete permanent striping on Wednesday, June 18. Drivers can expect a few nighttime closures as crews finish minor remaining work.
- Learn more about projects in Snohomish County - sign up for our e-mail updates.
Overview
We are widening two miles of SR 9 from a two lane road to a four lane divided highway between SR 522 north of Woodinville to just north of SR 524 (Maltby Road).
Why is WSDOT
widening State Route 9?
State Route 9 is the only major north-south roadway on the east side of Snohomish County and the only major alternative to Interstate 5.
Over the past 15 years the population of Snohomish County has increased by 37 percent, and traffic volumes in this area increased almost 50 percent. These surges in population and traffic volumes transformed this once free flowing rural corridor into a gridlocked highway filled with commuters.
Widening SR 9 and improving intersections will relieve traffic congestion and improve traffic flow and safety for the 33,000 drivers who use the highway each day.
The End Result
The widening will double the number of through lanes on SR 9 and provide additional turn lanes at major intersections. These improvements will provide better driving conditions and improve safety on the highway.
Project Benefits
• Safety - Right and left-turn lanes and sidewalks at key intersections will increase safety and reduce vehicle-operating costs. Given the increasing amount of traffic on SR 9 we also must add a raised median island (pdf 15k) to help keep drivers safe. The raised median island will reduce the chance of dangerous sideswipe and head on collisions. Designated turn pockets and u-turns at signals will provide access to businesses.
• Keeping Traffic Moving- Crews will construct right and left-turn lanes and sidewalks at key intersections. Widening the highway will relieve congestion and improve traffic flow and safety on this heavily traveled route.
• Environment - The addition of new stormwater treatment facilities will help prevent erosions and will filter dirty highway runoff before it is released.
What is the project timeline?
June 2005 - Crews began relocating utilities on SR 9 between SR 522 to 212th Street.
July 2005 - WSDOT awarded project to the most competitive bidder, Wilder Construction of Everett.
Late Summer 2005 - Crews began relocating utilities clearing the side of the road in anticipation of widening SR 9.
November 2005 - Most work suspended for winter. From now until spring, drivers will notice crews along side the road relocating utilities, constructing stormwater detention ponds, and installing fencing to protect wetland and sensitive areas.
April 2006 - Highway widening work resumed. The contractor began widening the roadway at the south end of the project near SR 522 and continued north. Crews widened the east half of SR 9 first.
June 2006 - Utility relocation complete.
November 4, 2007 - Crews open the new lanes to traffic, six months ahead of schedule.
June 2008 - Construction complete.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. WSDOT will be hosting community open houses as we continue to build this project. If you have any questions or comments, please call the construction office at 425.489.5402. Contact the project construction office for more details on project involvement.
Environmental Protection
This project will be built to meet all applicable permit requirements and avoid any stream or wetland impacts where possible.
In order to further protect water quality and prevent erosion, this project will construct facilities to treat stormwater for quality and quantity and construction work will incorporate the use of temporary erosion control measures.
As necessary, WSDOT will replace existing culverts where the highway crosses a creek to provide better fish passage. WSDOT will also create new wetlands for those impacted by the project and build retaining walls to preserve existing vegetation and stabilize slopes.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
The project was designed to reduce the high number of accidents caused while turning across SR 9, and to reduce the potential for serious head-on collisions. Increasing capacity and constructing right and left-turn lanes will improve traffic flow, thus reducing the risk of accidents.
When this work is done, this stretch of highway up to the most current safety standards for intersections, guardrail, pavement marking and elimination of roadside hazards. During the construction phase of this project, WSDOT will implement all necessary traffic management and safety measures.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
Section 106 consultation was initiated in May 2003 with the Yakama, Tulalip, Samish, Snoqualmie, and Kikiallus Tribes. A Cultural Resource Survey was prepared and sent to the Tribes for their comment and review in November 2003. A second Cultural Resource Survey was prepared for additional areas not looked at in the first survey and was sent to the Tribes for their comment and review in October 2004. Consultation is ongoing as this project continues to progress.
To learn more about Section 106 Tribal Consultation (also called government-to-government tribal consultation process) please visit WSDOT's Tribal Liaison page, where you'll find the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and WSDOT's Tribal Consultation Policy (Adopted by the Transportation Commission on February 19, 2003).
Financial Information
This project is fully funded through construction with the following fund sources:
- 2003 Gas Tax Nickel Transportation Funding Package - $35,553,969
- Existing Funds - $2,542,234
- Other Agency Funds - $2,383,713
These funds come from developer mitigation and utility companies
- Total Funding from all Sources - $40,479,916
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Engineer John Chi
1715 228th St. SE #106
Bothell, WA 98021-8445
Phone: 425-489-5402
E-mail: ChiJ@wsdot.wa.gov
or
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
back to top