PORT ANGELES — A traffic jam that extended about two miles in each direction Monday morning came as a surprise not just to frustrated drivers.
The state Department of Transportation, which approved the work that caused the backup, said it was also taken off guard.
“They had allowed the contractor to work during the day today . . . not realizing the impact to traffic,” said Kelly Stowe, agency spokeswoman.
“And, of course, once they started, even though there was a backup . . . they couldn’t stop in the middle of what they were doing.”
The contractor, Northeast Electric, was removing old traffic signals at the intersection of East Kolonels Way and U.S. Highway 101 in preparation for the opening of a Walmart Supercenter department store and supermarket Oct. 27.
The highway — which is the only route in and out of east Port Angeles — was reduced to one lane in each direction between 10 a.m. and noon, said Transportation employees supervising the work.
Drivers reported traffic backed up as far west as McDonald’s in Port Angeles and Lake Farm Road east of town.
One of those drivers, Jeff Bohman, said it took him up to 25 minutes to get east through the jam, even while bypassing some of the eastbound traffic by driving up Monroe Road and down Mount Pleasant Road.
“It was surprising that a manageable, schedulable piece of work was scheduled at that time of day,” said Bohman, of Port Angeles.
“It’s unfortunate the way it played out.”
Stowe said Transportation usually stops work if it causes a significant backup.
But workers could not leave this type of work partially finished, she said.
Stowe said all other roadwork for the new Walmart that may affect Highway 101 traffic is scheduled to occur at night.
The other work includes new turning lanes, the addition of sidewalks and construction of a water pipe, she said.
Ron Cameron, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office chief criminal deputy, said he had not heard of the backup causing any delays with the response to emergency calls.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
