Date:
Monday, March 31, 2008
Contact:
Meagan McFadden, WSDOT Communications, (509) 577-1618
Jeff Minnick, WSDDOT Project Engineer, (509) 577-1704
It seems WSDOT has gone round and round when it comes to public opinion about roundabouts. However, at an open house on Wednesday, March 26 at the Union Gap School, the public seemed to be ready to embrace the idea that roundabouts will make driving through this interchange much easier.
“The public is warming up to the idea of roundabouts and they are beginning to get an understanding of how they work,” said Jim Mahugh, WSDOT Assistant Project Engineer.
WSDOT’s current design concept for the I-82/Valley Mall Boulevard Interchange will improve freeway access to and from Valley Mall Boulevard and open up new areas for development and economic growth. Our new design replaces three signalized intersections on Valley Mall Boulevard with roundabouts, which will greatly reduce conflicting traffic movements. Studies have found roundabouts reduce collisions by 75 percent for intersections where stop signs or signals were previously used for traffic control. In addition, a new loop on-ramp will provide free-flowing access onto westbound I-82.
“The event was well attended and we were able to spend some quality time talking with citizens, business owners, and local politicians,” said Mahugh.
After the two hour open house was finished, WSDOT conducted a formal access hearing for the I-82/Valley Mall Boulevard Interchange project. The hearing featured photos, aerials, charts, maps and timelines for the $34.3 million project.
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