43rd Ave SE/Sunset Rd

Description

Snohomish County Public Works  proposes to construct arterial improvements to approximately 1.7 miles of 43rd Ave SE from SR 524 (Maltby Road) to Sunset Rd at 180th St SE. Construction includes the following primary elements:

  • Widen 43rd Ave SE from SR 524 north to 188th St SE to a two-lane rural section
  • Add approximately 1,400 linear feet of new county rural road to connect 200th St SE and 196th St SE
  • Improve the existing urban section of 43rd Avenue SE from 188th St SE north to 184th St SE
  • Add approximately 450 linear feet of new county urban road between 184th St SE and 42nd Dr SE
  • Install two new roundabouts on 43rd Ave SE at SR 524 and at 196th St SE
  • Install new traffic signal and turn pockets at 180th St SE and Sunset Rd
  • Add two new stormwater ponds and three underground stormwater chambers

Schedule

The project team has been working hard to develop the design report for this project. The design report includes roadway section, intersection, and drainage alternatives for the project. The draft schedule for this project has been updated and is listed below.

  • 2016-2018: Completed field survey and preliminary design 
  • 2019: Environmental studies
  • October 2019: Completed traffic noise study
  • December 2019: Public open house
  • 2020-2021: Design, right of way acquisitions and utility relocations
  • 2021: Go out for construction bids
  • 2022-2023: Construction of roadway

Traffic Impact / Road Closure

Due to the current width of the road south of 188th St SE, Public Works has closed 43rd Ave SE at 188th St SE to vehicle traffic until road improvements are made. The closure has been in effect since July 11, 2016. Pedestrian access is allowed.


Alternative routes:

  • Residents north of 188th St SE can use 35th Ave SE via 187th Pl SE (a new connection was constructed) to travel south.
  • Residents at or south of 188th St SE should use 196th St SE or Jewell Rd as an alternative route.

For more information regarding the road closure, read the frequently asked questions (FAQ) (PDF).

43rd Ave SE detour map

Funding

The proposed design, right-of-way, and construction will be funded by the Snohomish County Road Fund. The county will pursue grants and other funding opportunities to help fund the project as the design process proceeds.

Environmental Review

An environmental review and checklist was completed in compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) on January 23, 2020, for 43rd Avenue SE corridor improvement project.
Snohomish County Public Works determined that this project does not have a probable, significant adverse impact on the environment and issued a Determination of Non-significance (DNS) on February 14, 2020.

SEPA Appeal Period
This DNS may be appealed pursuant to the requirements of SCC 30.61.300 and Chapter 2.02 SCC. There is a 14-day appeal period for the SEPA DNS that commences from the date of publication of notice and ends on March 2, 2020. Any appeal must be addressed to the County Hearing Examiner, accompanied by a filing fee of $500.00, and be filed in writing at Snohomish County Public Works, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Robert J. Drewel Building, 2nd Floor, Customer Service Center, Everett, Washington. The appeal period closed on March 2, 2020. The SEPA comment period regarding this project ended on March 9, 2020.

Public Comment
The LDA permit application is subject to a 21-day public and agency comment period. Written comments may be submitted by mail or email to the Senior Planner, Stephanie Cotton, at stephanie.cotton@snoco.org or Snohomish County Public Works, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 607, Everett, WA 98201.
The comment period closed on March 9, 2020. 
 

Open House - 2019

An open house was held on December 5, 2019 to discuss proposed road improvements for the 43rd Ave SE/Sunset Rd project. Items discussed included project benefits, right-of-way, environmental review, and Urban Growth Boundary. Current proposed designs were on display. Staff was available to answer questions and gather feedback.

Open House - 2017

Snohomish County Public Works held an open house on June 27, 2017 to discuss four projects in this area. The projects were the 35th Ave SE - Phase II, 43rd Ave SE/Sunset Rd, 180th St SE Phase I and II, and 196th St SE/Grannis Rd. Staff was available to answer questions, review proposed improvements and gather feedback on potential designs.

Documents

Other Projects in the Area

In addition to the 43rd Ave. SE project, the county is working on improvements to other nearby corridors including: