Overview
As US 2 enters the city of Monroe, it changes from a rural roadway to an urban corridor. The two-lane highway turns into a four-lane roadway with u-turn pockets through the heart of the city’s retail area. The speed limit changes to 45 mph just inside the westerly city limits and then drops to 35 mph through the retail core. Many drivers use city streets, SR 203, SR 522, and even parking lots between retail establishments to avoid congestion on US 2.
What are some of the problems facing the community within this segment?
Population growth and congestion: The city of Monroe is one of the fastest growing cities along US 2. Over the past 15 years its population almost quadrupled from just over 4,200 people in 1990 to almost 16,000 in 2005.
As a result of this population surge, average daily traffic through the city has almost doubled. In 1990, 21,400 vehicles traveled on this stretch of US 2 each day. Today, over 40,000 vehicles use this section of US 2 each day.
High collision rates:
- Between January 1999 and October 2006, 1,247 collisions occurred on US 2 within the Monroe city limits.
- 54 percent of these collisions were rear-end collisions, which are often a result of congestion.
- 61 collisions involved alcohol use.
- 5 fatal collisions occurred resulting in five fatalities.
What did we hear from the public?
Community members along the US 2 corridor requested that a bypass be built around Monroe to relieve congestion. Many blame the congestion through Monroe on through traffic.
“There is no other solution but to build a bypass. It should have been done 20 years ago.”
What are the safety and congestion projects identified for US 2 though the city of Monroe?
Safety Projects
- Monroe, MP 12.7 - 15.6 - Install and upgrade sidewalks on both directions of US 2 through the city of Monroe.
- Monroe, US 2 at Kelsey Street, MP 14.57 - Improve the intersection of US 2 and Kelsey Street by adding left-turn lanes.
- Monroe, US 2 at SR 203, MP 14.92 - Improve the intersection of US 2 and SR 203 by adding double left-turn lanes and an eastbound right-turn lane.
- Monroe, US 2 at Ann Street and Woods Creek Road, MP 15.15 - Improve the intersection of US 2, Ann Street and Woods Creek Road and consolidate driveways.
- Monroe, MP 12.7 - 15.6 - Install traffic cameras and electronic information signs to deliver real-time traffic information to drivers.
Capacity Projects
- Monroe Bypass: The bypass will be built in three stages.
- Phase I
Build a two-lane limited access highway that extends
north from existing SR 522
Construct a southbound on-ramp, southbound off-ramp and
northbound on-ramp at the SR 522/US 2 interchange
Build a roundabout at the north end of the SR 522 extension and connect to Kelsey Street and Chain Lake Road
- Phase II
Extend the bypass and connect to US 2 with a roundabout east of Woods Creek
Widen the SR 522 extension to 4 lanes
- Phase III
Add additional capacity to westbound US 2 on historical
bypass route or existing US 2
- Monroe, Woods Creek Bridge Widening, MP 15.37- Widen and upgrade the Woods Creek Bridge.
- Monroe, Kelsey Street to 179th Avenue, MP 12.7 - 14.57 - Add one lane to westbound US 2 between Kelsey and 179th Avenue.
- West of Monroe, MP 12.95 - 13.87 - Add one lane to each direction of US 2.