PORT ANGELES — Solutions to traffic troubles along U.S. Highway 101 could emerge from a yearlong, $250,000 study if Clallam County commissioners can find dollars for the county’s share of the survey.
The project would examine highway intersections with county roads and use a computer model to predict problems 10 years and 20 years from now.
From it could come answers to the congestion problems, such as traffic lights or roundabouts.
The idea grew from the county’s request for aid from the state Department of Transportation to build a Deer Park Road overpass.
The Transportation Department said the county should look at all intersections between Port Angeles and Sequim.
Transportation doesn’t have money to fund the entire study. Neither does Clallam County. Full funding might come from a combination of grants and contributions from businesses.
‘Stifled’ business growth
New business along the highway corridor currently is “stifled” by traffic problems, said Rich James, senior transportation planner for county roads.
Road engineer Don McInnes estimated that 600 jobs could grow from full development of the Deer Park Road-U.S. 101 area alone.
Furthermore, residential developments north and south of the highway will continue to add to congestion, James said.
