Overview
US 2 between East Monroe and Gold Bar becomes much more rural and forested as it begins the climb into the Cascade Mountain Range. It includes the cities of Sultan and Gold Bar. Homes and businesses within this segment are often built directly adjacent to US 2.
The speed limit along this two-lane stretch of highway varies from 55 mph in the more rural sections, to 35 mph within the city limits of Sultan and 40 mph within the city limits of Gold Bar. As drivers enter the city of Sultan, they encounter traffic lights at Old Owen Road and at 5th Street. These traffic lights have become choke points on US 2. Drivers often face significant backups during the weekends and holidays.
What are some of the problems facing the communities within this segment?
Population growth and congestion:
The populations of Sultan and Gold Bar have almost doubled in the last 15 years. While the populations of these two cities are still much smaller than those of Snohomish and Monroe, both cities are seeing an increase in average daily traffic volumes.
The population of Sultan increased from 2,236 in 1990 to 4,225 in 2005. Gold Bar experienced the same trend, with its population increasing from 1,078 in 1990 to 2,085 in 2005.
As a result of these population increases, average daily traffic volumes through Sultan have almost doubled from about 12,500 vehicles per day in 1990 to nearly 24,000 vehicles per day in 2006.
The number of vehicles traveling through Gold Bar increased by almost 50 percent from just under 8,000 vehicles per day in 1990, to more than 12,000 vehicles per day in 2006.
Traffic through the cities of Sultan and Gold Bar is also largely affected by weekend through traffic to Stevens Pass. During the weekend, traffic volumes can increase by up to 9,000 vehicles per day in Sultan, and almost double through Gold Bar.
Collision Rates (January 1999 - October 2006):
- 774 collisions occurred between Monroe and Gold Bar.
- 42 percent of these collisions are rear-end collisions.
- 83 collisions involved alcohol use
- 11 fatal collisions
- 12 fatalities
What did we hear from the public?
Local communities have expressed concerns about increasing congestion levels and the amount of traffic on weekends. A number of people noted that the traffic lights in Sultan have contributed to this congestion. Safety was also a concern for people driving on this segment. Narrow shoulders, especially at bridges, leave little room for people to avoid vehicles crossing the centerline.
What are the safety and congestion projects identified listed for US 2 between Monroe and Gold Bar?
Safety Projects
- East Monroe to West Gold Bar, MP 15.6 - 30.3 - Install traffic cameras and electronic message signs to provide real-time traffic information to drivers.
- Monroe to Gold Bar, MP 15.6 - 30.3 - Install median rumble strip.
- Two miles east of Monroe, Sofie Road, MP 17.9 - Build a westbound left turn lane and an eastbound right turn lane.
- Two and a half miles east of Monroe, 153rd Pl SE, MP 18.3 - Build eastbound left turn lane.
- Three and a half miles east of Monroe, nursery driveway, MP 18.98 - Build westbound left turn lane and eastbound right turn lane.
- One mile west of Sultan - Fern Bluff Road, MP 20.1 - Add right and left turn lanes.
- One mile west of Sultan - MP 20.7 - 21.4 - Add westbound passing lane.
- One mile west of Sultan - MP 20.45 - Eliminate wide eastbound turn-out to address sight distance problem.
- Sultan, between 3rd and 4th streets, MP 22.24 - MP 22.93 - Add westbound lane and restrict left turn access.
- Sultan, Sultan-Startup Road, MP 24.73 - Install left turn lane, widen shoulder or prohibit left turns.
- Startup, Fish Hatchery Road, MP 27 - Improve intersection.
- Startup, Nugget Road, MP 27.45 - Install left turn lane.
- Gold Bar, 17th Street, MP 28.59 to 28.9 - Extend two-way left turn lane to existing left turn lane at 17th Street.
- Gold Bar, Pickle Farm Road, MP 29.48 - Build a roundabout.
- East of Gold Bar, Reiter Road, MP 30 - Add westbound right turn lane.
- Rural stretches of US 2, MP 15.6 - MP 27 - Widen shoulders, install guardrail and rumble strips.
- Through Sultan, MP 21.42 - MP 24.44 - Add westbound lane, median, driveway consolidation, u-turn and right turn restriction at Main Street.
- Gold Bar, MP 27.51 - MP 28.72 - Add westbound lane, median, and two roundabouts at 399th Avenue and 5th Street.
- Gold Bar, MP 27.51 - MP 28.72 - Add an additional eastbound lane.
Capacity Projects
- Monroe to Gold Bar, MP 15.6 - MP 30.1 - Widen to four lanes.
- Sultan, MP 21.42 - MP 24.44 - Add eastbound lane, build four roundabouts at Old Owen/ Fern Bluff Road, 3rd Street, near 8th Street, new Sultan-Basin Road