Motorists urged to follow detours at Hansen Road
MOSES LAKE — The Washington State Patrol and Washington State Department of Transportation is warning drivers not to utilize emergency vehicle turnarounds to avoid the Hansen Road detour, according to a WSP press release.
WSDOT closed the overpass over I-90 just west of the Love’s Travel Stop near Moses Lake after safety concerns with the bridge were identified late last week. Since then, WSP troopers have received several reports of people utilizing emergency vehicle turnaround points to make illegal U-turns on the interstate rather than using the appropriate detour.
“Motorists are reminded that not only is it extremely unsafe, but using emergency turnouts, or other sections of the median on a divided highway are in violation of RCW 4 46.61.150 which carries a monetary penalty of $437,” the WSP press release reads.
The established detour for westbound traffic to access Hansen Road south of I-90, and for motorists southbound on Hansen Road wishing to travel eastbound I-90, is to continue west and take the Hiawatha Road (Exit 169) to turn around. The detour for eastbound traffic to access Hansen Road north of I-90, and norbound Hansen Road traffic wishing to travel westbound I-90, is to continue east and take Broadway Ave. (Exit 176) to turn around, according to the statement.
According to a WSDOT statement to the City of Moses Lake, the bridge was inspected Monday and WSDOT staff are working on identifying repair options, funding and a timeline for repairs.