Hit the Brakes: Study shows a big spike in Tri-Cities road delays
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TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- KEPR is always tracking growth here in the Tri-Cities. And that includes the impact on our roads. You may have found you need to leave earlier for work or an appointment these days. Time spent idling in your car has spiked in the Tri-Cities.
It's no secret the Tri-Cities is getting bigger.
Local driver, Tim Doyeas tells KEPR, "This is where the growth is.. it's where you gotta be."
Our area's highways have become some of the most traveled in the state.
He continues, "It's good growth to the area.. BUT I really don't like the congestion."
All these added drivers have us in the Tri-Cities spending almost twice as much time on the road. Just two years ago, drivers spent less than 250 hours traveling on Highways 240 and 395. But last year, that amount spiked to 627 hours behind the wheel. You're not on the road more, you're delayed more. The Dept of Transportation blames the increase on Hanford traffic. Tim knows it firsthand.
He's a contractor at the area.
Tim says, "There's only so many accesses to the Hanford site."
And that access tends to include the Bypass Highway. So KEPR thought... Did last fall's layoffs help ease the backups?
Tim explains, "Whether it's 12,000 people, or 16,000 driving out there everyday, it's a lot of congestion."
The state is working to solve the slowdowns by adding ride shares and integrated stop lights.Those lights would match up with the heaviest travel to keep cars flowing as much as possible.The state also made a list of highways that need the most relief. The Tri-Cities made the list with plans to improve 395 all the way from the Blue Bridge to Spokane. But don't hold your breath.. Budgets are tight and the westside often takes a bigger priority for spending.
Tim says, "405, I-5, the Tri-Cities has nothing compared to what's over there. Those people are out of their mind."
So when Tim sees nothing but wheels to the horizon..he remembers it could be worse, "I'd rather be here any day."
WSDOT reports that collisions create about a quarter of backups in the state. And because of the added use of our highways, they are bringing in new Tri-CIties response teams to clear those quickly when they happen.
It's no secret the Tri-Cities is getting bigger.
Local driver, Tim Doyeas tells KEPR, "This is where the growth is.. it's where you gotta be."
Our area's highways have become some of the most traveled in the state.
He continues, "It's good growth to the area.. BUT I really don't like the congestion."
All these added drivers have us in the Tri-Cities spending almost twice as much time on the road. Just two years ago, drivers spent less than 250 hours traveling on Highways 240 and 395. But last year, that amount spiked to 627 hours behind the wheel. You're not on the road more, you're delayed more. The Dept of Transportation blames the increase on Hanford traffic. Tim knows it firsthand.
He's a contractor at the area.
Tim says, "There's only so many accesses to the Hanford site."
And that access tends to include the Bypass Highway. So KEPR thought... Did last fall's layoffs help ease the backups?
Tim explains, "Whether it's 12,000 people, or 16,000 driving out there everyday, it's a lot of congestion."
The state is working to solve the slowdowns by adding ride shares and integrated stop lights.Those lights would match up with the heaviest travel to keep cars flowing as much as possible.The state also made a list of highways that need the most relief. The Tri-Cities made the list with plans to improve 395 all the way from the Blue Bridge to Spokane. But don't hold your breath.. Budgets are tight and the westside often takes a bigger priority for spending.
Tim says, "405, I-5, the Tri-Cities has nothing compared to what's over there. Those people are out of their mind."
So when Tim sees nothing but wheels to the horizon..he remembers it could be worse, "I'd rather be here any day."
WSDOT reports that collisions create about a quarter of backups in the state. And because of the added use of our highways, they are bringing in new Tri-CIties response teams to clear those quickly when they happen.
