Gregoire: Fix deadly Highway 2

Gov. Christine Gregoire says Highway 2 has become deadly enough to warrant fixing. The problem is what to do and where to find the money.

Gregoire rode from Everett to Sultan on Tuesday with Monroe Mayor Donnetta Walser and her husband, former Sultan Police Chief Fred Walser. The two head the U.S. 2 Safety Coalition that has been campaigning for 10 years to make improvements on the road now known as the state's Highway of Death.

Gregoire agreed Tuesday that a poor resurfacing job had made the road more dangerous in addition to its curves, some of which are sharp, and its narrow lanes.

She said her plan is to go to the Legislature in January with an appropriations request. Among the potential short-term safety fixes she's considering is the placement of cable barriers at the most dangerous spots.

Since 1999, more than 2,600 crashes have occurred on Highway 2 between Interstate 5 and Stevens Pass. Of those, 39 have resulted in fatalities and claimed 47 lives.