Overview
We will make a variety of safety and congestion improvements along State Route 9 from 176th Street SE to Marsh Road just south of the Snohomish River. This will include converting SR 9 to a wider, four-lane highway and adding guardrail from SR 96 to Marsh Road.
Why is WSDOT
widening SR 9?
SR 9 is the only major north-south roadway on the east side of Snohomish County and the only major alternative to Interstate 5. From 1980 to 2000 Snohomish County population has increased by almost 80 percent and is projected to grow another 60 percent by 2030. Traffic volumes in the area have increased by almost 40 percent and this section of SR 9 currently carries an average of 20,000 vehicles each day.
In 2005, drivers were involved in 78 collisions along this four-and-a-half mile stretch of road. This is a 32 percent increase since 2001 and many of the collisions were congestion related, such as rear-end and T-bone collisions. Widening the highway will improve traffic flow and safety on this busy route. Installing a new traffic signal, turn lanes and improved lighting will also help reduce the number and severity of collisions.
The End Result
Drivers will find the road and intersections safer, easier and quicker to travel through because of the following improvements:
- A wider, four-lane section of SR 9, from SR 96 to Marsh Road.
- New guardrail from SR 96 to Marsh Road.
- New intersections at Marsh Road and SR 9, and at the Marsh/Airport Way/Springhetti intersection.
- New traffic signal at 164th St SE.
- New turn lanes at four major intersections will reduce collisions involving turning drivers.
- New interconnected traffic signals on SR 9 between 176th St. SE and Marsh Road will communicate with each other to keep vehicles moving instead of waiting at lights.
- Seven new cameras will be installed from 164th Street to just north of Marsh Road to give drivers the most up-to-date traffic status.
Project Benefits
• Safety. A new traffic signal, turn lanes and street lights will decrease the number of collisions involving turning drivers.
• Congestion relief. The new traffic signal and turn lanes will allow more cars to get through the improved intersections during green lights. That will prevent long lines of cars from stacking up at intersections. The new southbound lane north of SR 96 will allow trucks to stay in one right lane while general traffic is able to get through the intersection more quickly.
• Environment. Drainage features in this project such as culverts and ditches will be upgraded or replaced to help alleviate possible erosion in large storm events. Storm water treatment ponds will be constructed as needed to treat runoff.
What is the project timeline?
August 2004 - We started design and survey work.
March 2008- We awarded the contract to Scarsella Brothers, Inc, who submitted the most competitive bid.
April 2008 - We started construction.
April 20, 2009 - We began repairing damage caused by January floods. The emergency repair work was completed by Scarsella Brothers.
December 2009 - We plan to complete construction.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources.
- 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - 5.3 million
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - 45.7 million
- Existing State Funds - $2.4 million
- Total Funding From All Sources - $53.4 million
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
WSDOT Communications Meghan Soptich Pembroke
15700 Dayton Avenue North
MS NB82-103
Seattle, WA 98133-9710
Phone: 206-440-4704
E-mail: pembrom@wsdot.wa.gov
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