Traffic change: Construction on Grape Drive roundabout to begin next year

After a statewide evaluation of intersection crash history, the Department of Transportation (WSDOT) found the state Route 17 and Grape Drive intersection has experienced three times the number of crashes compared to similar intersections, said WSDOT transportation engineer Justin Hammond at a presentation Tuesday to the Moses Lake City Council.

After a benefit to cost analysis, WSDOT determined the safest possible solution is to replace the intersection with a multi-lane roundabout, he said. Paid for by the WSDOT Collision Reduction Program, construction will cost $2.2 million and will occur in 2022.

In 2011, the department put up warning lights, Hammond said, and this did not reduce the number of collisions in the area: 2011 to 2020 had 103 crashes.

While some collisions were serious, none were fatal, he said. Most were rear-enders, which would be reduced with a roundabout, as cars are less likely to come to a complete stop.

According to WSDOT data, roundabouts reduce general collisions by 37%, pedestrian collisions by 40%, injury collisions by 75% and fatal collisions by 90%.

The roundabout speed limit will be 25 mph, Hammond said. In addition, workers will add sidewalks, street curbs and crosswalks.

The crosswalks will be similar to the ones on Broadway Avenue, he said, where pedestrians push a button and activate a rapid rectangular flashing beacon.

The pedestrian route along the west side of Grape Drive will be 10 feet wide as opposed to the normal six feet to match the Joe Rodgers Trail and facilitate bicyclers, he said.

The curb will only be two inches tall to facilitate trucks and oversized loads, he said, which can also use both lanes of the roundabout.

Drivers are advised to not be beside trucks in the roundabout, he said, as it will be smaller and more compact than the one on Yonezawa Boulevard.

The intersection of Grape Drive and Gary Street, just south of the future roundabout, will not be affected, he said, except for improvements to the sidewalk ramp and crosswalk.

Construction is set to start in spring of 2022 and last three months, he said. During that time, state Route 17 will have a single lane only in the area, speeds will be reduced for worker and driver safety and detours will be placed on Grape Drive.

Flaggers will be positioned at the intersection at night, he said.

The public isn’t generally fond of roundabouts, said council member Karen Liebrecht.

“How much information are you going to give the community about this project?” she asked.

The WSDOT will accept comments and questions at an online open house, Hammond said. To access, visit engage.wsdot.wa.gov/sr-17-grape-drive-intersection-improvements.

Prior to this public comment session, he said, the Department of Transportation gathered input from the Moses Lake engineering department, the public works department and City Manager Allison Williams.

“Is this project set in stone or will you be taking these comments under consideration for redesign?” Liebrecht asked.

The project is, for the most part, set in stone, Hammond said.

“The need has been established thoroughly, and so we’re taking public comment at this time just to kind of gather public input and to find out if there’s any elements we’ve missed or not thought of,” he said.

Sam Fletcher can be reached via email at sfletcher@columbiabasinherald.com.