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). Traffic and back-ups have increased on and near the US 2 trestle as more people move to east Snohomish County and Everett grows as an employment center. There are no carpool or transit lanes to help. In addition, the existing westbound and eastbound trestle structures are aging and need to be replaced.

In 2022, the Washington State Legislature authorized funding for the US 2 Trestle Capacity Improvements & Westbound Trestle Replacement Study. This study is examining ways to improve multimodal mobility across the trestle, including the movement of people who drive, take transit, bike and walk. It is also considering connections to the broader regional transportation network, including I-5 and the future Everett light rail station, as well as tolling as a potential option for future funding.

In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), WSDOT is completing a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. A PEL study allows us to consider environmental, community, and economic effects of potential improvements early in the transportation planning process. This PEL includes three major steps:

- Develop a Purpose and Need
- Evaluate and screen alternatives
- Identify high-level environmental impacts and potential mitigation

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

What to expect

Consistent with 23 U.S.C.168, WSDOT and FHWA notified the public of their intent to adopt the draft NEPA Purpose and Need statement and the preliminary screening of alternatives and elimination of unreasonable alternatives into the future NEPA review process. The NEPA process will include a more detailed environmental analysis of the range of possible alternatives.