Sometimes, driving southbound on I-5 through Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace can feel like driving in the tire grooves at a car wash — except at 60 mph.
It’s even more fun when those ruts are full of water.
That’s expected to change in summer.
The state is planning a $6.7 million project to repave the section of southbound I-5 between 52nd Avenue W. in Lynnwood and Highway 104 at the King-Snohomish county line. New reflective lane markers will be installed as well.
The project includes new pavement for the ramps at 220th Street SW, 236th Street SW, and Highway 104.
A similar project was completed in 2011 in the southbound lanes of I-5 between Marysville and Everett.
For more information on the coming work, go to http://tinyurl.com/crmytlj.
Michael Ashley of Stanwood writes: On northbound I-5 in Everett, between 41st Street and Marine View Drive, I see big trucks move from left to right to use the collector-distributor lane as a passing lane, then move back over into the main lane. This really creates slowdowns and is unsafe.
Many other drivers do it, too. I have seen drivers of trucks and cars cut across the gore point at Marine View Drive to get back into the main lane. Rarely have I seen a trooper out there. Can anything be done?
Trooper Mark Francis of the State Patrol responds: If a driver is making numerous lane changes and passing other cars on the right it could add up to second-degree negligent driving — a $550 ticket. Using that lane to pass would make the driver subject to an infraction for unsafe passing on the right and a $124 ticket.
If there are signs or signals stating that the lane is for exiting only, and the driver uses it for passing, a $124 ticket may be written for failure to obey signs.
The State Patrol has some troopers assigned specifically to commercial cars and trucks. Once stopped, commercial vehicles are subject to several types of inspections that the regular motoring public is not. If someone observes a commercial vehicle driving aggressively, they should call 911 to report it.
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