Possible answer to G-Way traffic woes
RICHLAND, Wash. - Easily one of the most crowded area in Richland.
The intersection of South G-Way at Aaron Drive, off Highway 240.
Right near the Richland Winco, more than 40-thousand cars pass through each day.
"I have customers who do call, say, I'm across the street. I'll be there soon. It's a tough situation,"said Joel Rogo.
His ballet studio has sat near this traffic problem for more than a decade. He's seen big trucks squeeze around the corner of Aaron Dr.
Causing accidents, even one fatality.
The lights change to green for each part of the intersection of George Washington Way and Aaron Drive at different times.
It takes about that long to get through the light once you're stuck.
Due to the location of the turn lanes, two drivers can't make a left turn at the same time with one coming out of Columbia Point and the other off of Aaron. They would hit each other.
Traffic only keeps moving on George Washington Way when no cars want to turn left. Richland wants to change this whole thing into a what's called a split T intersection.
It would seal off Aaron Drive so it doesn't connect to G-Way, adding a traffic light connecting with Abbott instead. This would be a new stoplight you'd hit when exiting off 240 into Richland. It would solve the problem of opposing left turns at the same time, and keep traffic flowing.
Joel says it could work. "I think it will be a better traffic flow and as long as you have traffic flowing then there's not the congestion," he said.
For most, the change can't come soon enough.
This project is being paid for with money from the state. It could get underway next year.
It's part of a bigger plan to look at the whole I-182 corridor and how to accommodate growth.
The intersection of South G-Way at Aaron Drive, off Highway 240.
Right near the Richland Winco, more than 40-thousand cars pass through each day.
"I have customers who do call, say, I'm across the street. I'll be there soon. It's a tough situation,"said Joel Rogo.
His ballet studio has sat near this traffic problem for more than a decade. He's seen big trucks squeeze around the corner of Aaron Dr.
Causing accidents, even one fatality.
The lights change to green for each part of the intersection of George Washington Way and Aaron Drive at different times.
It takes about that long to get through the light once you're stuck.
Due to the location of the turn lanes, two drivers can't make a left turn at the same time with one coming out of Columbia Point and the other off of Aaron. They would hit each other.
Traffic only keeps moving on George Washington Way when no cars want to turn left. Richland wants to change this whole thing into a what's called a split T intersection.
It would seal off Aaron Drive so it doesn't connect to G-Way, adding a traffic light connecting with Abbott instead. This would be a new stoplight you'd hit when exiting off 240 into Richland. It would solve the problem of opposing left turns at the same time, and keep traffic flowing.
Joel says it could work. "I think it will be a better traffic flow and as long as you have traffic flowing then there's not the congestion," he said.
For most, the change can't come soon enough.
This project is being paid for with money from the state. It could get underway next year.
It's part of a bigger plan to look at the whole I-182 corridor and how to accommodate growth.
