Winter 2013
The project is still in the design stage. It is scheduled to be advertised for private contractor bids on June 26, 2013 with a bid opening a month later and construction expected later in the year.
An Open House was held at the Wahluke High School in Mattawa Wed. Jan. 23 to present the current preferred solution, a roundabout, to reduce accidents at the intersection. Of the approximately 50 attendees, 16 filled out comment forms. The majority told our engineers that they were skeptical whether a roundabout would work with the 60 mile per hour speed limit and the large number of trucks utilizing the intersection. However, everyone supported improving the intersection to reduce accidents and most of the attendees said a roundabout was "better than nothing". We were also told that since this is an agricultural area with a large seasonal workforce that a focused education campaign will be very important to include in the project.
This (I-2) Safety Improvement - Collision Prevention Project could build a single lane roundabout on SR 243 in western Grant County at MP 13.94 - the intersection with Road 24 SW in Mattawa.
Why is WSDOT
improving this intersection?
The SR 243 and Road 24 SW intersection that handles an average of 4,400 vehicles per day is experiencing a large number of crashes. During the five years from Jan. 1, 2007 to Jan. 1, 2012 there were twenty one collisions involving forty three vehicles. Nine of those crashes resulted in two fatalities and twenty two serious injuries. The 12 other wrecks were property damage only.
This project is anticipated to decrease the frequency and severity of accidents if the current preferred alternative - a roundabout is constructed.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, roundabouts have been shown to reduce fatal collisions by 90 percent, injury collisions by 80 percent and total collisions by almost 40 percent.
Something you may not know about roundabouts involves how trucks get through them properly courtesy of what’s called a truck apron. That’s the raised, circular concrete pad around the center of a roundabout and acts like an extra lane for large vehicles. So when you’re driving a roundabout, and see a trailer riding up on that raised concrete circle, don’t worry. That’s what it’s there for. (See the pictures and video). To learn more, watch “how do I drive a roundabout video” on YouTube and visit WSDOT’s roundabout website.
The End Result
A more efficient intersection with a reduced potential for serious collisions.
Project Benefits
- Reduces potential for crashes at the SR 243 and Road 24 SW intersection.
- Makes it easier and faster for traffic to turn onto SR 243 from Road 24 SW.
What is the project timeline?
The project is currently being designed. Advertisement for private contractor bids is expected June 26, 2013 with a bid opening in July and construction to begin later in the year.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
| Financial Data for PIN 224300D |
| Funding Source |
Amount ($ in thousands) |
| 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) |
$0 |
| 2005 Gas Tax (TPA) |
$0 |
| Pre-Existing Funds (PEF) |
$1,880 |
| Total |
$1,880 |
|
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Bob Romine, Project Engineer
WSDOT North Central Region
P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: (509) 667-2880 or toll free (888) 461-8816
Email: Bob.Romine@wsdot.wa.gov
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