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Project Facts

• When traffic is moving freely, drivers can travel from the 41st on-ramp across the trestle in four to six minutes. During the afternoon rush hour, the same trip can take up to 18 minutes.
• About 28,000 vehicles travel over the eastbound trestle everyday. During the afternoon commute, 3000 to 3900 vehicles cross the trestle each hour.
• Allowing drivers to use the shoulder is part of our Moving Washington strategy to relieve congestion.

In October 2008 we restriped eastbound US 2 from I-5 in Everett to SR 204 to provide two lanes of traffic and a wider, 14-foot right shoulder (see a cross-section (pdf 143 kb)). Over the next few months we'll finalize our operations plan, relocate barrier and install signs. By January 2009, drivers will be able to use the right shoulder during the afternoon commute. This will provide additional capacity across the trestle and will help relieve congestion on the trestle and at the I-5/US 2 interchange. 

Why is WSDOT restriping the eastbound US 2 trestle?
Currently, traffic coming from northbound I-5 must merge with equally heavy traffic coming from Hewitt Avenue as they move on to the trestle. This creates congestion at the west end of the trestle, which leads to backups on northbound I-5 at the 41st Street entrance ramp.

Allowing traffic to use the shoulder during the afternoon commute will provide additional capacity when it is most needed. This will help relieve congestion on the trestle and at the US 2/I-5 interchange. Keeping traffic moving will also help reduce rear-end and sideswipe collisions related to congestion.

The End Result
This two-part fix will help reduce congestion and congestion-related collisions on the US 2 and I-5. Crews will restripe the eastbound trestle in October 2008. Once signs are installed by early next year, drivers will be able to use the widened right shoulder during the afternoon commute.

Project Benefits

• Reduces congestion: Adding additional capacity to eastbound US 2 during the heavy afternoon commute will help ease congestion and backups on the trestle and northbound I-5 .
• Improves safety: Keeping traffic moving will reduce congestion-related sideswipe and rear-end collisions.

What is the project timeline?

• Oct. 10-11, 2008: Crews restriped the eastbound US 2 trestle to provide a wider right shoulder.
• January 2009: Crews will install signs on the trestle and open the right shoulder to traffic during the afternoon commute.

Public Involvement
Your feedback is important to us. If you have questions about this project, please contact region traffic engineer Mark Leth at 206-440-4487.

Environmental Protection
We make every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from our projects. We do not expect this project to affect the environment.

Please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Providing additional capacity on the eastbound trestle will help keep traffic moving and reduce congestion-related collisions.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
This project is not expected to impact tribal resources.

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
We are funding this project through the following source:

• Pre-existing funds:  $100,000
• Total funding available: $100,000

How can I get more information?
Contact:
 
Mark Leth 
WSDOT Region Traffic Engineer
E-mail: lethm@wsdot.wa.gov
Phone: 206-440-4487

Meghan Soptich
WSDOT Communications
E-mail: sopticm@wsdot.wa.gov
Phone: 206-440-4704

Patty Michaud
WSDOT Communications
E-mail: michaup@wsdot.wa.gov
Phone: 425-225-8760

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