WSDOT outlines SR‑99 corridor predesign options; study proposes shared paths, bike lanes, raised crosswalks and speed‑limit changes

WSDOT planners briefed the Lynnwood City Council on July 21, 2025 about a corridor predesign study for State Route 99 stretching from 212th Street Southwest to Airport Road. April Delchamps, planning manager at WSDOT, and Josh Shippy, the Northwest Region area traffic engineer for Snohomish and Mount Baker areas, described corridor-wide concepts, systemic treatments and spot improvements under consideration and said the agency is collecting public feedback through an online open house that is live for one more week.

The study considers three scales of intervention: corridor-wide cross-sections; systemic treatments that would apply across long segments (for example speed limits and utility placements); and spot treatments at specific intersections and mid-block crossings. WSDOT presented two corridor cross-section concepts: Concept 1A (a configuration that would require about 5 feet of additional right of way on one side and could include a raised median) and Concept 1B (constructing shared‑use paths on both sides, requiring about 10 feet of additional right of way). A second corridor option would add directional bike lanes on both sides, which WSDOT said would also require additional right of way.

Systemic measures under review include lowering the posted speed limit (the project area currently is posted at 45 mph; WSDOT noted portions to the north and south are 40 mph and the study is examining whether 35 mph could be feasible if paired with narrower travel lanes), utility undergrounding where feasible, and access‑management strategies to reduce driveway conflicts. Spot treatments being evaluated include raised crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, rectangular rapid‑flashing beacons (RRFBs) or pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHBs), leading pedestrian intervals at signals, no‑turn‑on‑red restrictions and refreshed high‑visibility markings.

Shippy said the study used crash data and community input to identify candidate locations for spot treatments. "One of the things that we're looking for is if we missed any," he said, inviting the council and public to point out additional problem locations. WSDOT staff also described conceptual changes at the SR‑525 interchange and at 30th/5th Avenue that could reduce conflict points for people walking and biking.

Funding and timeline: Delchamps told council the predesign effort is intended to develop a community-backed vision and a set of reasonable solutions that can be carried forward into future project development. She said WSDOT has not identified an overall capital funding package for corridor-wide construction and that the study will inform future design efforts and grant or project timelines. For part of the unincorporated Snohomish County segment, Delchamps said design is slated to begin in 2028 to fill a missing bike-lane link; that project will be informed by outcomes of this study.

Public engagement: Delchamps said WSDOT has held 13 focus groups, walk audits and agency briefings and has an equity working group and technical working groups advising the study. The online open house is available in English and 10 other languages and staff said additional translations can be provided on request.

Next steps: WSDOT will collect and incorporate public and agency feedback, refine alternatives and return to the community with recommended options and trade-offs. Staff asked council to share outreach ideas and community groups WSDOT should contact.