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More about #SumTraffic | Sumner Mayor Update

Published 10:44 am Thursday, January 21, 2016

Sumner's top need during this year's legislative session is getting funding for the SR 410 interchange with Sumner's Traffic Avenue/Puyallup's East Main.
Sumner's top need during this year's legislative session is getting funding for the SR 410 interchange with Sumner's Traffic Avenue/Puyallup's East Main.

The following is written by Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow:

Remember when I asked you to tell us about your experience with congestion at the Traffic Ave. overpass at SR410? Well, we got people’s attention!  In addition great comments from you, we also got written up in The News Tribune story and a follow-up story on KIRO 7.

Tammy wrote, “At the peak traffic hours (3: pm to 6: pm) we have a very difficult time leaving or coming home.”

Kim wrote, “One year ago, I could leave my store at 5:10pm and be merging onto 410 at the interchange onto the on-ramp for Bonney Lake in 10 to 15 minutes max. Now if I leave my store at 5:10 It has taken me 30 to 45 minutes to go the short distance from Main Street Sumner by the tracks to actually get onto 410 and start heading toward Bonney Lake….”

Valerie wrote, “I drive north on West Valley and take Hwy 167 south to Puyallup in order to avoid the congestion created at the intersections of Hwy 410 and Traffic Avenue, otherwise it adds at least 20 minutes to my commute…I hope that progress can be made soon to replace the intersections to the benefit of all commuters, residents and daily visitors.”

Matthew added, “The lights need to be better timed. This will help with the congestion. When I get off 410 and onto traffic ave in the mornings, If I am the first one at the light and it turns green for me to take a left onto traffic ave, I hit a red light at the next stop light.”

On Twitter, @carlofsumner noted, “Only several years overdo since Puyallup opened Shaw floodgates for traffic from South Hill” and Chris agreed with Matthew about the timing of the lights.

Matt and Chris, I wondered about the timing of the lights also. Believe it or not, WSDOT came out and worked on the timing of the lights for hours. The reality is that when you’re out of space, you’re simply out of space, and your choice on timing is now to figure out which way to direct the backup.

This is all good stuff and I hope you keep it coming.  Just remember to not tweet while driving (I never thought I would say that when I learned to drive!).

 

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