February 2023 Update:

The project team presented its Final Report to the City Council on January 26, 2023.  

The objective of the public engagement project was to establish consensus for selection of a preferred improvement alternative for the US2 corridor within the City of Sultan to meet local and regional needs for the corridor. 

The outcome was general working group consensus around Alternative 3 – Four-Lane US2 with Multi-Lane Roundabout Intersections. A phased approach including ten projects in four groups was developed in recognition of the scope of the project. This phased approach is compatible with current Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) plans and City of Sultan concurrency projects.   

The Final Report is available under the Documents Section to the right.

Project Background

In 2020, the City refreshed our approach to addressing traffic congestion by adopting an update to the City’s Transportation Element. Analysis clearly identified the need for additional capacity on US2 to meet future needs. 

In developing a plan for Sultan’s transportation system, our consulting traffic engineers identified improvements to the US2 corridor as the most effective method of reducing congestion. US2 is a state and federal highway, so we are coordinating with the Washington State Department of Transportation to design and construct improvements to meet the long-term needs for the City and region at large.

In 2021, the City's consulting traffic engineers began to study the entire US-2 corridor within the city limits to determine the best approach to addressing current and future traffic conditions. 

In 2022, the City's consulting traffic engineers and City staff began engaging relevant stakeholders in three working groups (technical, local community, and regional) with the goal of establishing consensus for a preferred alternative for improvements to the US-2 corridor within the city limits.

See Stakeholder Working Group section below and documentation to the right.

Alternatives Under Consideration

The City's consulting firm completed the US2 Corridor Study in May 2022. Alternatives under consideration are summarized below:

• Five-Lane US2 with Signalized Intersections: This alternative would widen the highway to five lanes to accommodate two lanes in each direction as well as a shared turn lane at and between intersections. Major intersections would be developed with traffic lights. This alternative:
  • Requires less right-of-way at intersections
  • Requires more right-of-way between intersections
  • Allows left turns at and between intersections
  • Includes signalized intersections that are less safe than roundabouts
  • Provides congestion relief compared to existing conditions
• Four-Lane US2 with Multi-Lane Roundabout Intersections: This alternative would widen the highway to four lanes with two lanes in each direction and major intersections would be redeveloped with multi-lane roundabouts. This alternative: 
  • Requires more right-of-way at intersections 
  • Requires less right-of-way between intersections 
  • Restricts left turns between roundabouts and at some intersections requiring U-turns
  • Includes roundabouts that are safer than signalized intersections
  • Provides congestion relief compared to existing conditions
• Three-Lanes with Single-Lane Roundabouts: This alternative would not widen the highway and would replace existing signalized intersections with single-lane roundabouts. This alternative:
  • Requires the least amount of additional right-of-way at intersections
  • Requires the least amount of additional right-of-way between intersections
  • Allows left turns at and between intersections
  • Includes roundabouts that are safer than signalized intersections
  • Provides the least congestion relief compared to existing conditions
• Couplet: This alternative would convert the existing Main St from the Sultan River to US2 to westbound travel and US2 to eastbound travel. This alternative:
  • Requires no additional right-of-way through downtown.
  • Requires additional bridge capacity over the Sultan River
  • May impact River Park. 
  • Allows left turns at and between intersections.
  • Includes signalized intersections that are less safe than roundabout
  • Provides congestion relief compared to existing conditions
  • Would change the character of Main Street from a local street to a regional connector.

Stakeholder Working Groups

The technical working group includes agency representatives from the City of Sultan Police Department, Snohomish County Fire District 5, Snohomish County Public Works, Community Transit, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

The local community working group includes residents of Sultan and individuals who own/operate businesses in Sultan. Thirteen local community participants were invited from a list of individuals who signed up at the US2 Corridor Open House hosted by the City on May 11, 2022, or who expressed interest in participating when completing the online survey.

The regional working group was formed to include representatives from other jurisdictions along the US2 corridor as well as other organizations and entities. Invitations were sent to: elected officials and/or staff representing the communities of Monroe, Gold Bar, Skykomish, Leavenworth and Wenatchee; Tulalip Tribes; Cascade Bicycle Club; Washington Trucking Associations; Stevens Pass Ski Area (operated by Vail Resorts); Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce; Port of Everett; and Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority.