Snohomish County Cities Secure $3.3M for Urgent Road Safety Upgrades

UPDATE: Three cities in Snohomish County have just been awarded a total of $3.3 million to significantly enhance road safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities. The funding, sourced from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, will be allocated among the cities of Everett, Mukilteo, and Mill Creek.

The city of Everett will receive $1.2 million for its “Advancing Multimodal Safety through Planning and Innovation Project.” This initiative aims to overhaul the city’s Active Transportation Plan, develop a safety and operations plan for the Evergreen Way corridor, and pilot advanced Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Key deliverables include a comprehensive Active Transportation Plan that evaluates cyclist and pedestrian networks, prioritized improvements for the Evergreen Way, and an ITS pilot that employs AI video detection to measure traffic signal performance for future upgrades.

Meanwhile, Mill Creek has been granted $1.8 million to prioritize the safety of vulnerable roadway users. This funding will support demonstration activities such as quick-build protected bike lanes, enhanced crossings, and a study along the 35th Avenue corridor. The city will also develop Safe Routes to School plans and conduct a citywide lighting assessment. The initiative will include rigorous evaluations to assess the impact of protected bike lanes and solar-powered rapid-flashing beacons.

Lastly, Mukilteo will receive $300,000 to create a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities among bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. This plan will involve a thorough analysis of crash data, public engagement, and the identification of Proven Safety Countermeasures to be adopted for implementation.

Since its inception in 2021, the Safe Streets and Roads for All program has funded over 1,600 transportation projects across the state, including road, bridge, and port improvements. The urgency of these projects cannot be overstated as traffic collisions and fatalities continue to impact communities statewide.

As these plans roll out, residents and officials are left looking forward to safer streets. The funding is a critical step toward improving road conditions and safeguarding lives across Snohomish County. Stay tuned for updates on the implementation of these vital projects.