Downtown Stanwood Mobility Study
Getting around. Getting easier.
The Project
Alleviate Congestion. Increase Safety.
The City of Stanwood is working with WSDOT and Snohomish County to identity alternatives to alleviate congestion at the SR 532 signal with 102nd Avenue NW, and through-traffic volumes on 102nd Avenue NW in Stanwood. The method of addressing the concern is a bypass of SR 532 on the west side of the City of Stanwood, providing more direct access north of the City.
The Problem
Relieve peak period slowdowns through Downtown Stanwood on SR-532
The Solutions
A toolbox of strategies to alleviate congestion and improve active transportation
Congestion
Relieve peak period slowdowns through Downtown Stanwood on SR 532
Roundabouts
Roundabouts reduce, but don’t eliminate, intersection congestion and are safer than signals
Bypass
A new bypass road would be an alternative route for northbound traffic coming from west of Stanwood
Widening
Widening SR 532 with more lanes through downtown may have a large impact on roadside development
Pedestrian Safety
Improve safety and comfort of walking in Downtown
Sidewalks
Sidewalks with enhanced buffers to traffic are more inviting connections in Downtown
Crosswalks
Safer crossings with medians, beacons and enhanced markings create connections and ease of movement
Shared-Use Paths
off-street paths provide the most separation from traffic, but may not be feasible in downtown areas
Bicycle Connections
Improve safety and comfort of walking in Downtown
Bike Lanes
Bike lanes provide designated space for cyclists adjacent to traffic with striped separation
Protected Cycle Tracks
Protected two-way cycle tracks offer a barrier between traffic and cyclists and are more comfortable for a wide range of riders
Corridor Alternatives
A different route through Stanwood
The alternatives presented here were prepared by the City to help guide the conversation and present options for the public to consider. These alternatives are not the only feasible routes for the bypass and are subject to revision based on the feedback we receive from this open house.
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Downtown Alternatives
Reimagining comfortable walking and biking
With through-traffic re-routed to the bypass, the downtown segment of SR 532 would be reimagined to increase safety and comfort for those who are walking, cycling and rolling. Potential alternatives for the downtown roadway section which repurpose the existing roadway, but do not expand the road and impact businesses and properties along SR 532, are shown below for the public to consider. Other sections for improving the downtown segment of SR 532 will be evaluated based on the feedback we receive from this open house.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Answers You Need
Why is a Bypass Proposed?
The congestion in the City of Stanwood on SR 532 at the 102nd Avenue NW signal, especially for the eastbound-to-northbound left turn, is increased by traffic coming from Camano Island looking to access I-5 and northern parts of unincorporated Snohomish County. Removing this pass-through traffic from the City will alleviate congestion and open up options for improving the Complete Streets nature of SR 532 through downtown Stanwood, creating a more multimodal, aesthetic destination.
What is the Online
Open House?
Developing a project with the impact of a new road bypass is a process which includes a wide range of planning, engineering and environmental considerations. Gathering and incorporating public feedback is one of the most important parts of the project development and identification of a feasible preferred alternative.
At this stage of the project development, and in consideration of the evolving public health guidance surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we anticipate the online open house to be the only public outreach for this stage of the project development.
Future stages of the project, including more detailed engineering design, would likely include other public outreach opportunities with a mix of online and in person events.
When will the Bypass be Constructed?
This study is the first step in a process to analyze feasibility, determine costs and then identify funding sources before a schedule for implementation could be developed. The City needs to identify a preferred, feasible alternative. Gathering public feedback is an important component of that identification process. Construction of the bypass is estimated to begin within the next 10 to 20 years, based on available funding.
How will the Public Feeedback be Used?
Developing feasible alternatives involves considering a wide range of planning, engineering and environmental factors. The public’s feedback will be used to refine the alternatives presented. The concepts presented herein are feasible options the City prepared to help guide the public discussion. The City intends on revisiting all of the concepts after reviewing the public’s input and modifying as necessary, within the constraints of other factors such as waterways, wetlands, railroad crossings and farmland impacts, to develop a preferred alternative.