Intersection changes possible

Big changes may come to the four-corners intersection of the two state highways in Grand Coulee, or not, after a petition got the attention of a state agency with 1,100 signatures.

Local residents will have an opportunity to see some of the state Department of Transportation's proposed traffic control alternatives to the intersection at a meeting of the Grand Coulee City Council, April 7. The session starts at 6 p.m.

DOT Traffic Engineer Terry Berends said his presentation will include a number of possibilities.

The matter was triggered by an 1,100-signature petition developed by local resident Ray Wells who got interested in doing something about the intersection after he was involved in an accident at the corner.

Among some of the alternatives that are being considered are:

• a round-about that moves traffic in an oval pattern where no one stops, • a four-way stop where everyone has to stop and take their turn to proceed or

• no change.

Berends said that some minor changes on the approaches to the intersection made over a year ago seemed to help.

Of some concern on the round-about are the large semi trucks that come through the area and some of the huge trucks that sometimes haul equipment to Grand Coulee Dam and elsewhere.

The DOT has put together a computer model to show how trucks could gain access through the intersection, Berends explained.

Berends added that the DOT might develop one of the alternatives and use it temporarily for the summer to see how it would work.

He encouraged those interested in the presentation to come to the council meeting to see the models that have been put together showing the various options.

The presentation will be at the beginning of the council meeting.