Wheeler Road intersection will stay in current configuration, for now

MOSES LAKE — Newly restriped streets at East Wheeler Road and Pioneer Way will remain in their current configuration, at least for now. Moses Lake City Council members voted to leave the street striping as it is at a special meeting Tuesday.  

“We can make changes in the future if need be,” said council member Deanna Martinez. 

The road is being restriped as part of a chip-seal project that would change the travel lanes at the intersection as well as sections of East Wheeler Road east of State Route 17 and the downtown area. Stripes laid down on Wheeler Road as part of the project changed it from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction with a left turn lane in the middle.  

City manager Rob Karlinsey said the project was at a stage where the council’s choices had narrowed down to two at the Pioneer Way intersection.  

“I still think it’s two options,” Karlinsey said. “Option one is to keep it like it was and direct us how figure out how to make it work. Option two is to keep it like the plan is and stripe it like the plan is.” 

Mayor Dustin Swartz said he preferred the option of leaving the intersection in its current configuration. Swartz polled council members who attended the meeting, which resulted in a 4-1 vote. Council member Judy Madewell recommended adjusting the traffic light at Pioneer Way accordingly. 

“We would make sure that the traffic light matches,” said City Engineer Richard Law.