** Stop sign change in Everett shines light on neighborhood traffic safety

The city of Everett has completed a redesign of the intersection at College Avenue and 47th Street SE as part of the $705,000 Fleming Bicycle Corridor project, aimed at enhancing bicycle mobility and safety. This redesign grants drivers on College Avenue the right of way, a significant change from previous traffic rules. While the changes are intended to promote safer cycling routes and reduce reliance on busier streets, they have caused confusion among drivers, resulting in near-miss incidents. To address this, the city has installed additional stop signs and bicycle symbols to guide both drivers and cyclists. Kathleen Baxter, a spokesperson for Everett Public Works, emphasized the importance of encouraging cyclists to use designated routes instead of busier streets like Evergreen Way, which has a higher crash rate.

The city plans to monitor the intersection's effectiveness and safety over the next year, making necessary adjustments. Despite initial resistance, this redesign reflects Everett's commitment to sustainable transportation options, aiming to increase bicycle usage from the current 1% of commuters.