Overview
This relatively flat segment of US 2 begins near Snohomish and continues through mostly undeveloped wetlands and farmland. The original US 2 passed through Snohomish on what is now Second Avenue.
What are some of the problems facing communities within this segment?
Population growth and congestion: In the last 15 years, the population of Snohomish increased by over 34 percent from 6,499 residents in 1990 to over 8,700 in 2005.
This population growth has transformed US 2 through Snohomish from a largely rural-farm to-market road to an urban highway. In 1990, an average of 11,000 vehicles traveled on US 2 through Snohomish each day. Today, that number has grown by over 172 percent to over 30,000 vehicles per day.
The increased congestion in this segment is the result population growth in Snohomish, the communities to the east such as Monroe and Sultan, as well as surrounding rural communities south of Snohomish. Many residents of these communities rely on US 2 as their primary commute route.
Collision rates:
- Between January 1999 and October 2006, 430 collisions occurred in this segment of US 2.
- 30 percent of these collisions were rear-end collisions, which are often caused by congestion.
- 38 collisions involved alcohol use.
- 6 fatal collisions occurred resulting in eight fatalities.
What did we hear from the public?
A number of people had safety concerns due to the lack of a physical barrier to separate traffic and dangerous intersections, including Bickford Avenue.
- “Make US 2 the same as I-90. We need four lanes period.”
- “We need center barriers on US 2.”
- “It is dangerous and difficult to turn onto US 2 at Bickford Avenue.”
What are the safety and congestion projects identified for US 2 between Snohomish and Monroe?
Safety Projects
- East of Snohomish to Monroe, MP 3.5 - 12.7 - Install median rumble strips to reduce the number of cross-over collisions.
- East of Snohomish to Monroe, MP 3.5 - 12.7 - Install shoulder rumble strips, widen shoulders and other safety improvements such as adding guardrail.
- East of Snohomish to Monroe, MP 3.5 - 12.7 - Install traffic cameras and electronic information signs to deliver real time traffic information to drivers.
- West of Monroe, Dairy Farm Road, MP 12.46 - Widen US 2 to include both eastbound and westbound left-turn lanes into the dairy farm.
- Snohomish, State Route 9, MP 5.04 - Add a new lane to eastbound US 2, upgrade on-ramps to the SR 9 / US 2 interchange and upgrade lighting and traffic signals.
- Snohomish, Bickford Avenue, MP 3.85 – Build a westbound overcrossing on-ramp.
Capacity Projects
- East of Snohomish to Monroe, MP 3.5 - 12.7 - Widen US 2 to four lanes in each direction, upgrade bridges, and install median barriers.
- Snohomish, 88th Street, MP 8.51 - Add one lane to eastbound US 2, upgrade on-ramps and lighting.
- Snohomish, Westwick Road, MP 10.08 - Realign Westwick Road, add lanes and consolidate driveways.
- Snohomish, Roosevelt Road, MP 10.55 - Add a turn lanes in both directions and add traffic signals.