Fewer crashes, more complaints over roundabout on ‘Blood Alley’
Jul 1, 2015, 3:18 PM | Updated: Jul 2, 2015, 6:00 am
Many people blame this roundabout for the miles of traffic backups we get on westbound Highway 2.
Highway 2 between Snohomish and Stevens Pass used to be called “Blood Alley” because of all the serious and fatal crashes, but those accidents have gone down since a series of safety improvements were installed a few years ago.
Not everyone is happy with the design changes.
No one seems upset with the rumble strips the Washington State Department of Transportation put in between the lanes. They do a good job of warning people when they’re crossing the center lines.
But the roundabout near 339th Street near Sultan still upsets plenty of people.
“What in heaven’s name is the Washington State DOT thinking of when putting a roundabout onto a U.S. highway. Absolutely ridiculous,” KIRO Radio listener Vicci wrote.
Many people blame that roundabout for the miles of traffic backups we see on westbound Highway 2, especially on weekends.
But WSDOT Traffic Engineer Mark Leth said it isn’t the roundabout that’s causing the problems.
“It’s the traffic signals west of there. It backs up through the roundabout.”
In some cases, those backups can stretch several miles, he added.
Many drivers just aren’t used to having roundabouts, though they are gaining popularity in Washington, Leth said.
“People, I think, have the perception sometimes when they don’t drive these that they’re road blocks and they’re congestion points on a roadway, but they work much better. You don’t have the cycling of a traffic signal, it’s just continuous progression.”
It’s the lights and the sheer volume of cars that cause this chokepoint, Leth said.
“We considered a traffic signal, but we felt a roundabout was a better solution to all hours of the day, days of the week, and throughout the year,” he said.
And this roundabout has done its job, Leth said. This intersection had seen several t-bone crashes with serious injuries, but not since the roundabout was installed two years ago.
More improvements could be coming to Highway 2.
“Still looking for any and all solutions that could benefit travelers and keep them safe,” Leth said.
But additional roundabouts might not make sense, considering the lack of space around many locations along Highway 2.
