Nearly 400 crashes occurred at the intersections of SR 500 and Northeast Falk Road/Northeast 42nd Avenue and 54th Avenue/Northeast Stapleton Road over a five year span of time. These intersections were the last two remaining signaled intersections along SR 500 between I-5 and I-205. In response, WSDOT conducted a study in spring and summer 2018 to identify cost-effective safety improvements along SR 500 between St. Johns Road and Andresen Road in Vancouver.
In Nov. 2018, with input from the community, agency partners, area schools, businesses and emergency services, WSDOT selected the Right In, Right Out design concept to improve safety along SR 500 in Vancouver and Clark County. Emergency service providers and the public were most supportive of this concept, because it balances significant safety improvements to SR 500, while maintaining some connectivity to the highway from local streets.
In addition to implementing the Right In, Right Out design concept, WSDOT removed the traffic signals on SR 500 and installed median barriers at Northeast Falk Road/Northeast 42nd Avenue and Northeast 54th Avenue/Northeast Stapleton Road intersections. Removing the signalized intersections reduced the potential for crashes and improved safety and mobility along this stretch of highway.
While the safety improvements worked, and we have seen improved travel times along with a nearly 70% reduction in crashes at or near the two intersections, the removal of the lights also removed access for travelers using sidewalks or bicycles to cross SR 500 at Northeast 54th Avenue/Northeast Stapleton.
The total cost for this project is estimated at approximately $8.7 million, using a combination of local, state and federal funds.
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