The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reports that the HOV lane extension on northbound I-5 from Everett to Marysville has opened, allowing vehicles with two or more occupants their own lane to the I-5 State Route 529 bridge.
Contractor crews working for WSDOT completed temporary striping on northbound I-5 from Pacific Avenue in Everett to SR 529 early Wednesday, August 14. The freeway now has three general purpose lanes, the same as it always had, plus the extended HOV lane.
Plenty of work still remains on the project. Contractor crews will do the final paving on this section of northbound I-5 during overnight lane reductions through the end of August, then crews will paint the permanent lane markings in September.
“We wanted to open the HOV lane extension as soon as possible,” WSDOT Project Engineer Shawn Wendt said. “This will help smooth the traffic flow on northbound I-5 near the US 2 interchange and Marine View Drive exit.”
New I-5 Center Barrier and Ramps on the Way
In addition to the paving, the contractor crews will shift northbound and southbound traffic north of the SR 529 bridge later this month to complete work on a new permanent barrier separating travelers in each direction. People will still have the same number of lanes in each direction during the barrier work. It will take about six months to finish the permanent barrier, which helps improve safety.
Crews also are making progress on a new off-ramp that will connect northbound I-5 to SR 529 and an on-ramp from SR 529 to southbound I-5. This portion of the project includes a roundabout just east of where the freeway passes over SR 529. The roundabout will allow vehicles exiting northbound I-5 access to both directions of SR 529 or the on-ramp to southbound I-5. These ramps will open in spring 2025.
The new ramps connecting SR 529 and I-5 also will provide options for people going to or leaving the south side of Marysville. Currently, people must use Fourth Street, where a railroad crossing about 1,000 feet east of I-5 can cause backups and delays. The new ramps will avoid the railroad crossing.
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