How did you first learn about this project?
- News paper
- Media – TV news
How would you prefer to learn about this project?
- On the road
- Newspaper
- Website
- Media
How often did you travel through the construction project and how did it impact your travel plans?
“At least once a week.”
“Two or three times a month – no impact really.”
Traffic impacts, lane closures and delays are often unavoidable during highway construction. What ideas do you have for how things could be done to make projects easier to deal with?
“Make driver’s more aware of current traffic situations in the construction area – like spot news announcements sent to TV and radio stations to use during construction.”
“There are situations where portable stop lights would help get traffic flow through congested areas. An example is the Yakima Bridge project on SR 240 where southbound traffic merges into one lane when the bridge traffic is restricted to just a single lane. Most of the back-ups go into GW Way in Richland, but the off ramp from the freeway has very few delays.”
Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?
“Yes, this is the reason I’m filling out this survey. It appears and rides like after doing all the concrete paving – they didn’t do a good job when repaving the asphalt roadway underneath the new bridge and connecting to the existing pavement on both directions from the bridge. US 395 wasn’t repaved as good as it could/should have been.”
Paving of the US 395 mainline roadway was not included as part of the interchange construction project. The asphalt that was in place prior to the start of this project is the same asphalt that is there now. Regarding the connections to the new bridge; there are two materials that must come together – the concrete bridge deck and an asphalt bridge approach – it’s difficult to make a smooth transition due to the difference in materials.
“The plastic striping used for the centerline and fog line are coming off and it looks like the striping has to be redone soon.”
“I don’t know how much money the variable message boards cost, but I think most of the ones in Eastern Washington are a waste of money.”
We disagree with you. The message boards are used to alert motorists of conditions that may affect their travel and safety. They are only used when there is important information to share – such as chain requirements, mountain pass and roadway conditions or closures, accidents on the highway ahead, or to announce – the rest of the time they remain black. These announcements allow motorists to make informed travel choice. In addition, the message boards have been used to advise motorists to watch for a specific vehicle during “Amber alerts” when a child has been abducted and time is critical.