Meridian Project, WSDOT Response to my Comments

Back in July I wrote some comments on WSDOT's latest project on the Guide Meridian, SR 539 - I-5 to Horton Road - Mobility Improvements, and sent them along to the project team. The project manager at WSDOT, Kerri Woehler, wrote in response (pretty quickly -- I'm a bit slow in posting them). Her comments are after the break.

July 22, 2011

Thank you again for your detailed and thoughtful comments. I appreciate your support for implementation of access management, such as installing curb to restrict left turns and consolidating driveways. Thanks also for directing our attention to a few details we got wrong in the report about the placement of sidewalks, crosswalks and bus stops. We’ll make corrections in future versions of the report.

We are very familiar with “Complete Streets” and I’m aware of the public information session. In fact, I attended the “Developing a Complete Streets Policy” workshop hosted by Whatcom Council of Governments on July 14. We have implemented aspects of Complete Streets on many highways.

You’re absolutely right that it’s all about the right way to move people and goods. There definitely is a place for a discussion about how to improve multi-modal transportation in this part of town, unfortunately the scope of this particular project is limited by the purpose of our funding source – “the safe movement of motor vehicles to and across land border crossings.”

A few specific responses to your letter:

“The reason why the Bellingham Bicycle Route Map doesn't identify Meridian/SR 539 as a preferred bike route is . . . “: This is not an error of interpretation. The reason it is not identified on the map is that we don’t believe it’s a good idea to encourage bicycling on this section of the Guide.  The Guide is a Strategic Truck Route and border highway of statewide significance that also serves a major retail center. Traffic volumes are very high. There are parallel routes that provide better facilities for bicycling.

Turning radius: The photos on pages 30 and 31 are not misleading exhibits. While many trucks can make the turn without a problem, many others do legitimately have difficulty - we did an analysis and determined that the turning radius is not consistent with our latest standards for large trucks.

Bike lanes and bus pull-outs: Removal of the center-turn lane does not necessarily provide enough space for bike lanes and/or bus pull-outs and we can’t simply “expand the right-of-way” to make room – that would involve acquiring property from businesses along the Guide. Even if that were something the community would support, it would take far more time and expense than what we’ve got for this project.

Roundabout: I absolutely agree with you that roundabouts can be very effective in some locations. We didn’t take time to consider it for this project simply because design and construction would far exceed the funding we have available. I suspect that this option will be considered if/when there is a future project with more funding.

Signs: We will review the existing signs and identify the need for changes as part of our detailed design. Signs support and complement roadway improvements but they are not a substitute. We’ve found drivers tend to become complacent about signs, so the best way to affect their behavior is through design of the roadway itself.

Travel speed: You correctly point out that it’s not necessary to increase free flow travel speeds on the Guide. My reference to increases of 15 – 20mph is only for congested corridors where traffic is moving much slower than the posted speed limit, like the Guide during peak periods. 

Northbound Meridian – left-turn to northbound I-5: You’re right that the left-turn pocket is short. Unfortunately, it would be too expensive to fix because there isn’t enough space under I-5 for widening. 

I encourage you to connect with local and regional multi-modal transportation groups, if you haven’t already:

City of Bellingham’s Transportation Commission:

http://www.cob.org/government/public/boards-commissions/transportation/index.aspx

Whatcom Council of Governments’ Community Transportation Advisory Group: http://www.wcog.org/Planning/CTAG/28.aspx.

You raise good points, and I really appreciate you taking the time to review the report in detail and provide such thorough feedback. Please contact me at 360.757.5981 or woehlek@wsdot.wa.gov if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Sincerely,

Kerri Woehler

Planning Manager

WSDOT Northwest Region/Mount Baker Area

Phone: 360.757.5981 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            360.757.5981      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Mobile: 360.661.1749 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            360.661.1749      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Fax:  360.757.5975

Email: woehlek@wsdot.wa.gov