LYNNWOOD — Drivers in Lynnwood had an unusual experience on Thursday: less traffic than expected.
Sure, the new Chick-fil-A parking lot was plenty busy, with a steady stream of cars. Uniformed police were posted at entrances and exits, keeping things moving to avoid a backup along 196th Street SW.
The police presence was meant to prevent a major traffic jam, as happened with two other recent Chick-fil-A openings in other cities around Puget Sound.
“We had been in touch obviously with Tacoma P.D. and Bellevue P.D. about what they experienced with the openings, so we just wanted to plan accordingly,” Lynnwood police traffic Sgt. David Harris said.
The restaurant agreed to pick up the tab for police manpower, including off-duty sheriff’s deputies.
“The county is not paying the salary of personnel working there and all costs to our agency are recouped, including fuel,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Shari Ireton said.
The popular fast-food restaurant shares a parking lot with Lowe’s. Springtime already is busy for Lowe’s, especially the nursery, Harris said. Still, years of holiday shopping traffic drawn to nearby Alderwood mall has given his department practice with congestion.
On Thursday, police directed drivers leaving the lot to turn right on Alderwood Mall Parkway. That still gave them the ability to end up eastbound or westbound on 196th.
Traffic stayed manageable into the afternoon, including through lunchtime, Harris said.
“It’s nothing we haven’t been able to deal with,” he said. “It’s not the level I anticipated.”
A readerboard also was used to give directions. If the drive-thru gets “Bellevue busy,” a backup plan is in place, Harris said.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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