Transportation

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Bridge work to hold up U.S. 2 traffic near Gold Bar this week

Crews are set to repair the South Fork Skykomish River bridge, with alternating east and west traffic through Friday.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood

Edmonds man dies in Highway 99 crash north of Lynnwood

The Washington State Patrol was investigating the collision near 156th Street SW that closed both directions Sunday morning.

Lynnwood
A car merges into the far right lane heading toward the exit to US 2 trestle on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Is late merging at U.S. 2 trestle legal? Is it bad etiquette?

Yes, it’s legal and generally recommended for efficiency, as long as it’s done safely and doesn’t hold up traffic flow.

A car merges into the far right lane heading toward the exit to US 2 trestle on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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Overnight closures set for I-5 near Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace

The closures will allow crews to replace concrete on bridges in Snohomish County.

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Matthew Sims places a traffic signal for his group's traffic project presentation at Hazelwood Elementary School on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lynnwood students pitch transportation safety solutions near school

Barbara Bromley’s fifth-grade class at Hazelwood Elementary School analyzed traffic issues near the parking lot.

Matthew Sims places a traffic signal for his group's traffic project presentation at Hazelwood Elementary School on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jack Yoke, 5, runs through the Roozengaarde tulip fields on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 in Mount Vernon, Wash. This is the final week to head out to Mount Vernon to enjoy the of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival which ends on May 2nd.(Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Tulip Festival brings spectacular traffic jams, blooms to Skagit Valley

Thousands will visit the annual flower fest that kicks off Saturday and runs through April. Here are some tips.

Jack Yoke, 5, runs through the Roozengaarde tulip fields on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 in Mount Vernon, Wash. This is the final week to head out to Mount Vernon to enjoy the of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival which ends on May 2nd.(Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WSDOT workers open up the Smokey Point Rest Area on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Maintenance closing Smokey Point rest areas for 2 weeks

Access to the bathrooms and parking will be closed until April 13. RV dumping stations will stay closed longer.

WSDOT workers open up the Smokey Point Rest Area on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Cathlamet made headlines when it crashed into pilings at Fauntleroy terminal on July 28, 2022. WSDOT launched an internal investigation to determine the cause of the collision. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

Cathlamet ferry to depart from Edmonds after repairs from July crash

The ferry will serve Edmonds-Kingston route for a week, equipped with a new black box that will become the fleet’s standard.

The Cathlamet made headlines when it crashed into pilings at Fauntleroy terminal on July 28, 2022. WSDOT launched an internal investigation to determine the cause of the collision. (Washington State Department of Transportation)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

1 dead, 1 in hospital after 3-vehicle crash on Highway 9

A concrete pumping truck and two sedans crashed Monday afternoon, closing the highway near Bickford Avenue.

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Highway 904 north of Cheney shows 15 years of wear caused primarily by studded tires. State agencies continue to try to ban the tires. So far, they've succeeded only in adding a new $5 fee per new studded tire to help address the damage. (WSDOT)

Studded tires must come off by Friday

They are legal during winter between November and March. By Saturday, driving with them could cost a $137 fine.

Highway 904 north of Cheney shows 15 years of wear caused primarily by studded tires. State agencies continue to try to ban the tires. So far, they've succeeded only in adding a new $5 fee per new studded tire to help address the damage. (WSDOT)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Overnight road work to disrupt Highway 9 traffic in Snohomish

Lane closures are set this week and next near the Bickford Avenue roundabout for drainage work along the highway.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
A vehicle makes an unprotected left turn on a flashing yellow arrow at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 530 on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Reader: Arlington highway intersection signal change confusing

At the city’s request, the state changed the left-turn sequence. An Arlington reader said drivers are jumping the queue.

A vehicle makes an unprotected left turn on a flashing yellow arrow at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 530 on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The former ferry holding lanes are repaved and getting ready for cars in Mukilteo, Washington on August 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Port parking at Mukilteo waterfront finally opens

The 99-stall lot on the former ferry holding lanes includes 63 spots for someone to leave a car for up to 72 hours.

The former ferry holding lanes are repaved and getting ready for cars in Mukilteo, Washington on August 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Vehicles on Soper Hill Road wait in line to make unprotected left turns onto Highway 9 northbound and southbound during the evening commute Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens development prompts Highway 9 signal change soon

Turning left from Soper Hill Road can be a long wait now. Flashing yellow turn signals could help with more traffic.

Vehicles on Soper Hill Road wait in line to make unprotected left turns onto Highway 9 northbound and southbound during the evening commute Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Temple of Justice is shown Thursday, April 23, 2020, at the Capitol in Olympia. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, file)

Supreme Court says sheriff’s deputy improperly detained bus rider

In a mixed ruling, justices upheld enforcement of fares but not the way it occurred on a Swift bus in Everett in 2018.

The Temple of Justice is shown Thursday, April 23, 2020, at the Capitol in Olympia. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, file)
Cathcart Crossing project site along Highway 9 on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hearing examiner’s order holds up Cathcart park and ride

Initial plans had the stormwater system designed under urban zoning rules, but the property has rural zoning.

Cathcart Crossing project site along Highway 9 on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A sign diverts bicyclists to a short path that leads to the shoulder of U.S. 2 headed east near the junction with Highway 204 on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Yes, it’s legal (and risky) to bike on WA highways — with big exceptions

A reader asked about the legality of biking on the shoulder of U.S. 2 after a run-in with law enforcement.

A sign diverts bicyclists to a short path that leads to the shoulder of U.S. 2 headed east near the junction with Highway 204 on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Amtrak Cascades train 517 from Vancouver to Portland arrives at Everett Station Thursday, March 9, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Ride the rails on the Amtrak Cascades for a rumbling adventure

The service derailed by the pandemic is fully restored with multiple travel options between Oregon and Canada.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 from Vancouver to Portland arrives at Everett Station Thursday, March 9, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Construction workers walk along the underside of the Lynnwood Link light rail tracks on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Biden budget has $250M for Lynnwood light rail

Potential savings could go toward other Sound Transit projects in development, including the Everett extension.

Construction workers walk along the underside of the Lynnwood Link light rail tracks on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Students load onto the 116 Community Transit bus after school on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Community Transit drops employee COVID vaccine requirement

After a year with it in place and three years after the first known U.S. COVID case, the CEO announced the change.

Students load onto the 116 Community Transit bus after school on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)