POSTPONED: WSDOT is finally shutting down Highway 2
Jun 22, 2018, 5:49 AM | Updated: 12:12 pm
UPDATE: The state has once again postponed the work slated for Highway 2.
Original story
The state has cried wolf twice, but the Washington State Department of Transportation said westbound Highway 2 is actually shutting down for construction this weekend.
RELATED: WSDOT wants to give you a bridge and a million bucks
This construction has been postponed by rain twice. The forecast for this weekend looks favorable. Westbound Highway 2 will close between Lake Stevens and Everett at 7 p.m. Friday and remain out of commission through Monday morning.
“I’m almost afraid to jinx it,” WSDOT’s Frances Fedoriska said. “As the forecast stands now, it will be warm, sunny … We’re going to go this weekend.”
The trestle along Highway 2 needs to be repaved. That work starts around Bickford Avenue and extends to I-5. This section is asphalt, not concrete, which is why the project is weather-dependent.
“We’re water-proofing the structure, and that material is the one that cannot be exposed to water at all during the installation process,” Fedoriska said.
What does this mean for you?
Drivers will have to alter their plans if they’re heading to I-5 from Lake Stevens or Snohomish.
“What can you do that’s different?” Fedoriska asked. “Can you delay your travel? Can you leave earlier? Can you travel later? Can you carpool?”
The primary alternate will be Highway 9. Expect it to back up in both directions. You can either head north into Marysville to access I-5 or head south through Snohomish. There is a detour on 20th Street SE, which runs under the trestle. However, that road is small and can’t handle much traffic. To access that, you would head west on Highway 2 and just before the trestle you will be forced to exit to the left. Head down the hill and under the trestle and then west.
“We have tons of signage and lots of barrels,” Fedoriska said. “It’s going to be very thoroughly marked.”
This is just the first of six full weekend closures of westbound Highway 2 through August.
