I-5/US-2 Interchange Planning Study Online Through December 15th – In Person Meeting This Thursday At WSU Everett

If the State Department of Transportation is going to fix the Westbound Highway 2 Trestle into Everett, Washington experts say the interchange between Highway 2 and Interstate 5 will also need to undergo major improvements. Right now the State is in the midst of a major planning effort to determine how to move forward. The City of Everett is providing assistance gathering information from residents who travel the area every day.

Now through December 15th there’s an online open house that is providing information and asking for feedback. In addition, there will be an in-person meeting this Thursday November 30th from 5:00 – 7:30 PM at WSU Everett Campus Room 101 (915 N. Broadway, Everett WA 98201 at the intersection of Broadway and Tower Street). Here’s more background and information as provided by the City of Everett.

1.What’s the difference between this study and the US 2 West Trestle study?
The I-5 / US 2 Interchange Planning Study was borne out of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) studies of the US 2 corridor, including the westbound trestle. Those studies identified the need for more planning and investigation into the I-5/US 2 interchange, which is west of the US 2 trestle. Traffic volumes are expected to continue to grow within the City of Everett and in the region creating further strain on this interchange. Congestion at the interchange will limit effectiveness of a future westbound US 2 trestle replacement, which is why we’re studying ways to make it more functional.

2.What will the I-5 / US 2 Planning Study evaluate?
This study will evaluate the existing interchange, connections to local streets, all the travel modes through it and how they will be impacted by the expected increase in traffic volume in the future.

3.What is the outcome of the I-5 / US 2 Planning Study?
The study will come up with an alternative(s) for redesigning the I-5/US 2 interchange and connections to City streets that will better serve the community and region.

4.How will the public be able to provide input to the study?
There will be three open houses throughout the study where members of the public can offer input and feedback. Please refer to the Timeline and budget tab at everettwa.gov/I5US2study to learn more.

5.I see my property on the proposed concept maps. When will I know if my property will be affected by the project?
At this point in the project, we are identifying and evaluating improvements to the interchange and city streets that connect to it. In the spring of 2024, we plan to draft and publish our final study report which will include recommended concepts to advance. There are other planning efforts in the area, including the WSDOT US 2 Westbound Trestle Planning and Environmental Linkages Study, Sound Transit’s Everett Link Extension, and WSDOT’s I-5 Corridor Study, which may affect the selection of a preferred interchange design improvement. Once we publish our final study report, we will begin the process of planning, developing concepts and conducting an environmental review. During environmental review, individuals whose property may be acquired or affected will be contacted.

We welcome your feedback as we develop improvements that serve the needs of the community. Our second open house is currently live, and we encourage you to submit your feedback by participating in our open house before it closes on December 15, 2023.