US 2 Trestle Capacity Improvements & Westbound Trestle Replacement

Project overview

The US 2 trestle in Snohomish County is the only direct highway route across the Snohomish River to Interstate 5 (I-5). The US 2 Trestle Capacity Improvements & Westbound Trestle Replacement project begins with a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. Federal PEL studies allow us to consider environmental, community, and economic effects of potential improvements early in the transportation planning process.

This PEL study will take a closer look at the following areas recommended in the 2021 US 2 Westbound Trestle PEL Study: (1) the number of lanes on the US 2 westbound trestle, (2) limited capacity at the southbound I-5 on-ramp, (3) the potential for managed lanes such as HOV lanes, (4) access to downtown Everett, (5) active transportation on the US 2 corridor, (6) and moving people through the corridor.

This page serves as the landing point for a potential future project. There is no construction planned at this time.

What to expect

This study area will include the US 2 trestle, a portion of I-5, and connections to other highways and local facilities. WSDOT will collaborate with study area Tribal nations, local governments, transit and resource agencies, and communities (including vulnerable populations and overburdened communities) to learn about the transportation challenges and needs of people using the US 2 trestle, priorities for improvements, and mitigation strategies for the potential effects of proposed solutions.  

Throughout development of this PEL study, engagement with these audiences will help WSDOT identify a Purpose and Need, analyze a range of multi-modal solutions, and examine the potential effects of those solutions. The Purpose describes what problem(s) the project will address, and the Need is data demonstrating the extent of the problem. WSDOT will evaluate potential solutions in a two-stage process, using criteria related to the  defined Purpose and Need. Solutions could include transit facilities, active transportation facilities, and tolling on the trestle.  

The new PEL Study will include federal oversight. The planning products produced in this PEL, such as the Purpose and Need and identified alternative(s), may be adopted into a future project-level National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document in accordance with 23 USC 168. Our goal is to not revisit these points once NEPA begins.