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1. How are the traffic signals in town timed? Why aren't they synchronized?

Synchronizing traffic signals is complicated. 

The only signals in the City that are interconnected are on Avenue D, at First Street and Second Street. This upgrade was just completed in summer 2017. These signals are also connected to the Snohomish County traffic signal at Airport Road/Lowell-Snohomish Road on the south side of the Snohomish River. These traffic signals can be adjusted remotely if needed by Snohomish County. 

Other City traffic signals are controlled by clocks and sensors (traffic loops and video detection). Signal cycle lengths are determined based on typical traffic flows through the day and are programmed into a clock to synchronize the traffic signals. However, the clocks at the various intersections run independently and when the individual clocks  run a bit too fast or too slow,  then the synchronization of traffic signals can be thrown off.

At a few of the traffic signals along Second Street, GPS clocks have been installed that will reset the clocks to resynchronize the traffic signals. If the sensors at an intersection detect a high number of vehicles, additional green time may be given at that intersection - which may throw off the synchronization.

Traffic signals also allow pedestrians to cross streets safely – this may require extra time when the pedestrian button is triggered.  Anytime the synchronization is thrown off, it will take a few cycles to resynch.

2. Who is responsible for cleaning up the leaves in fall? My driveway is flooding.

During the fall season a large amount of leaves fall on streets and private property throughout the City of Snohomish. We need help from residents to make sure those leaves don't clog street drains or cause other hazards. 

• Rake leaves out of neighborhood streets to prevent problems. 
• Do not deposit your leaves in City streets or right-of-way. It's illegal to do so.

During leaf season, each week on Tuesday mornings the City of Snohomish  Public Works crew will use available equipment  to remove leaf debris from streets. In addition to our seasonal leaf removal, the Public Works Department  contracts with a private street sweeping service for normal street  sweeping services throughout the year.  All City streets are swept in their entirety every 5 to 7 weeks. This means that all City streets are  swept a minimum of 7 times per year. 

If an emergency situation arises elsewhere in the City and Public Works crews are pulled away from street sweeping, they will return to normal leaf removal duties as soon as staff is available.

If street debris or flooding are causing an immediate hazard, please contact Public Works, 360-568-3115 or after hours at 360-563-2012.