Get ready for some shake-ups on your daily commute, folks in Snohomish County. The busy stretch of 36th/35th Ave W, connecting Lynnwood to SR 99, is getting a major facelift starting later this month. The county has announced construction plans to retool this vital thoroughfare, aiming to slash the delays drivers face and make room for non-car travelers as well. Snohomish County Public Works has earmarked the end of April to kick off these much-needed improvements.

The upgrades include a two-way center turn lane intended to ease the squeeze caused by turning vehicles — a boon for those who've faced the stop-and-go agony during rush hours. Pedestrians and cyclists will see some love too, with new sidewalks and bike lanes connecting them to existing facilities. But drivers, take note: the trade-off means kissing goodbye to on-street parking. According to the county's announcement, these spaces are being sacrificed to make way for a more spacious roadway.

The public works people are tossing in some bus pullouts to make the bus-riding experience smoother and less disruptive to traffic flow. Plus, the corridor's going to get a splash of green with landscaping features, and a stormwater drainage system to keep those unexpected puddles at bay.

With fresh asphalt spanning from 164th St SW to SR 99, motorists can expect a less bumpy ride once construction wraps up. Nonetheless, while the project presses on, navigating 36th/35th Ave W is going to be a bit of an adjustment. Drivers and local residents should brace for a string of detours and the sound of jackhammers, as the county chisels away at this monumental task.