Othello intersection opens ahead of schedule
Othello intersection opens ahead of schedule
OTHELLO — The intersection of Broadway Avenue and Main Street in Othello opens today, 16 days ahead of schedule.
There are only a few things left to do before traffic flows through the intersection.
The signals will be synchronized and the intersection needs to be cleared of caution signs, tape and barriers, City Administrator Ehman Sheldon said.
Sheldon said they are very pleased the intersection is done early because it was somewhat of a battle for the rest of the streets being used as a detour.
On certain days during the harvest season, large trucks including semi-trucks use the intersection as part of their regular route. Since the intersection construction began, more than 400 trucks per day have been rerouted through the city causing damage on other streets, Sheldon said.
Three pedestrian signals have to be replaced due to trucks striking them, he added. The expected cost of those are approximately $3,600. A fire hydrant and a traffic signal were also damaged.
For most of the damages, the city is seeking restitution from the drivers while some are still salvageable.
The Broadway construction project was necessary, Sheldon said.
The street received extensive damage due to the hundreds of trucks using the intersection during harvest season.
"When it was originally constructed it was not designed for trucks," Sheldon said. "It showed."
The trucks left large cracks in the road because there was not enough gravel under the asphalt to serve as a base.
Several inches of base gravel were added and a new water- main system was installed under the new pavement, according to Sheldon.
He noted the total cost of the project was approximately $650,000.
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