Work on new Highway 9 bridge starts soon

Construction on a new bridge over the Snohomish River begins December 1 as part of efforts to ease congestion on Highway 9. This $142 million project, funded by the Connecting Washington program, aims to double the highway's capacity, addressing traffic increases from a population boom in Snohomish County. The current bridge will support northbound traffic, while the new bridge will facilitate southbound movement. Pile driving, necessary for the bridge's foundation, will take place weekdays from 7 a. m.

to 6 p. m. , causing significant noise in the area. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has communicated with local residents through flyers and 9,000 postcards regarding the construction. Expected completion is set for 2028, with various road closures during the project, including full closures of Lowell-Snohomish River Road at certain times.

The project is a response to traffic volumes that have increased significantly since the 1980s, when the county's population grew by 400,000 residents. The initiative aims to improve the only north-south route alternative to Interstate 5 through the region.