Project overview
Portions of the State Route 526 corridor will be improved with construction of an eastbound lane between Hardeson Road/5th Ave NW and I-5, improved signal operations at the SR 526/527 intersection and new ramp meters from eastbound SR 526 to northbound I-5. Work includes roadway widening in several locations, repaving, removal and replacement of median and shoulder barriers and guardrails, re-striping and intersection modifications, signal and illumination modifications, noise and retaining walls, landscape, drainage, and runoff treatment and detention.
What to expect
Highway users should expect overnight lane and ramp closures when construction begins.
This project will add a new eastbound lane on SR 526 between Hardeson Road and I-5, ramp meters to northbound I-5 and improve traffic signal operations at I-5/SR 526/SR 527.
Continued economic and population growth in Everett means more vehicles are using SR 526. In 2017, the Washington State Legislature directed WSDOT to identify improvements that address a variety of issues affecting SR 526 users—from airport travelers to freight haulers. To help, WSDOT convened a project advisory group made up of representatives from the cities of Everett and Mukilteo, Snohomish County, Boeing, Community Transit, Sound Transit, Washington Trucking Association, and the Economic Alliance Snohomish County.
Preferred alternative
After examining several options while considering the needs and available funding, WSDOT selected a preferred alternative made up of several improvements:
- A new eastbound lane between Seaway Boulevard and I-5
- Better signal operations at the SR 526/SR 527 intersection
- Improvements at the SR 526 ramp to northbound I-5
Bike access
Bike access and shoulder widths on the west end of SR 526, from Seaway to Evergreen, are maintained. People are not permitted to ride bikes on SR 526 east of Evergreen Way.
Project benefits
- Reduced travel times during the afternoon peak period and less neighborhood cut-through traffic
- Improved freight access to and from SR 526 and the SW Everett and Paine Field/Boeing industrial areas
- Allows for future transit, including the light rail expansion