Morningtime Westbound U.S. 2 traffic figures show a large number of drivers coming from Lake Stevens are hopping on the trestle. Another figure in the presentation shows a large share hops off into Everett, either directly at the end of the trestle or on the offramps in South Everett including toward Boeing. This published slide was shown in presentation to a technical working group working toward the U.S. 2 Trestle Study.
WSDOT presentation graphic
The westbound U.S. 2 trestle is due for eventual replacement, and the eastbound is due for improvements, too.
WSDOT is asking the public how you travel the trestle.
People have until Friday, June 7 to respond to a survey at https://engage.wsdot.wa.gov/us2trestle/
In its one dozen questions, it asks, for example, what challenges people experience around and while on the trestle. It also asks if you'd agree with a toll fee on the trestle to fund improvements.
The U.S. 2 trestle is the primary east-west connector to Interstate 5, and congestion is only predicted to worsen.
On weekday mornings, there are 9,100 vehicles crossing westbound. This traffic is predominantly heading into Everett from communities such as Lake Stevens, according to WSDOT presentation materials.
Should there be HOV lanes to manage traffic? It's being discussed, although WSDOT documentation says an estimated 97% of vehicular traffic in the morning rush westbound have no passengers.
Should there be a toll? Communities relying on it largely oppose the idea, according to WSDOT stakeholder meeting documents.
Meetings earlier this year also note transit buses have no lanes to speed past congestion, that bicyclists and pedestrians have no adequate ways to use the trestle, and other facets.
The survey is because the agency is doing preparatory work for environmental documents required by the federal government. WSDOT'S also been soliciting input from state agencies, city officials and tribes.
Construction is decades away. Presentation materials predict in 25 years a replacement trestle won't be built yet. The final report for this study is expected next year.
WSDOT intends to dovetail the U.S. 2 study findings with the recent U.S. 2-Interstate 5 study that discusses redesigning the interchange.
