PORT ANGELES — The three Clallam County commissioners will vote this morning on whether or not to initiate a $7.4 million overpass and full-service rest area project at Deer Park.
A vote to the authorize the project east of the Port Angeles city limit puts the county in position to receive federal funds if economic stimulus money becomes available.
“It really just sets it up as a project so we can officially spend dollars,” Clallam County senior transportation planner Rich James said.
County officials say an overpass is needed over U.S. Highway 101 because the intersections at Deer Park Road and Buchanan Road are dangerous.
“I think we’re shooting for a huge safety improvement,” James said.
“Those are dangerous intersections that have caused injury accidents. We just want to prevent future injuries or fatalities.”
Projected growth in the area will likely compound the problem, James told commissioners Mike Doherty, Steve Tharinger and Mike Chapman during a three-hour work session on Monday.
Another public meeting on the overpass, which has been discussed for decades, is scheduled for Feb. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. It is tentatively planned for the commissioners chambers (room 160) at the Clallam County Courthouse.
Nearly $6.5 million has already been secured for the project, with most coming from county and state coffers. Port of Port Angeles is contributing $500,000, and Clallam Transit is adding $15,000.
A study prepared by David Evans Associates resulted in 10 possible designs for the overpass.
Using a benefits matrix, county planners decided on “Alternative L,” which puts the overpass across the highway near Old Deer Park Road.
Instead of darting across the four-lane highway, drivers going west toward Port Angeles from Deer Park Road would cross the overpass and loop back to the highway.
Drivers going east from Buchanan Road would use the overpass instead of crossing the busy highway, which sees 24,000 to 25,000 vehicles pass through the area every day.
“We want to show the public we’re very much leaning toward building Alternative L, so what’s your input on that?” James said. The Sequim City Council in November turned down a proposed rest stop on Highway 101 at Simdars Road. Nearly $3 million will be transferred from that proposal to the Deer Park project.
The overpass project includes a full-service rest area with additional restrooms, parking, enhanced landscaping and an Native American interpretive facility.
An accident chart provided by the county shows 34 reported wrecks have occurred on U.S. Highway and Deer Park Road since 2001, while 13 occurred at Buchanan Road.
There were three fatal wrecks in the area in 2005 and a fatal pedestrian accident in 2001.
According to county statistics, the average wait time to turn left from Deer Park Road during peak traffic time is 560 seconds. The average wait to cross the highway from Buchanan Drive is 349 seconds.
An overpass would make those left turns illegal.
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
