WSDOT response
A column about the too-short-chute that leads to eastbound I 90 at the entrance ramp from U.S. 195 touched off some lively reader dialog. After a follow-up column exposed drivers’ conflict, consternation and fright experienced there, an official response arrived.
That response came from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Communication Manager, Al Gilson, who provided me some historical data regarding the disliked site. He also expounded on traffic flow, accident rates, and WSDOT safety considerations for that location.
A cordial Gilson was thankful that my column opened up the opportunity for continued discussion of this topic and welcomed any questions drivers may have about it. Indeed, driver awareness of the inherent dangers associated with that ramp is bound to enhance safety there.
I wrote that the WSDOT surely knows how to design a functional ramp, but there’s likely a shortage of funds to redo that one. And yes, Gilson’s letter confirms that current design standards specify much longer requirements for on ramp merging distance. That section of freeway, however, was built in the late 1950s.
Back then, engineers determined that the ramp design (like others in the region with short chutes) was sufficient for traffic needs of that era. Then, traffic volumes (both directions) on I 90 were about 18,700 vehicles per day with US 195 carrying about 5,000. But presently, those numbers have grown to an average daily traffic on that segment of I 90 to around 71,000, with US 195 coming in at 18,000.
That explosion of traffic, coupled with rampant residential growth in the area, has placed quite a strain on a ramp design that has remained constant for over 50 years. As mentioned, the engineering expertise exists to properly modernize the ramp — the “catch” is that the $170 million required to do so does not exist in the state budget.
According to Gilson, that high price tag is partly because the ramp is part of the bridge structure, and there is no cost-effective way to lengthen the ramp without replacing the eastbound freeway bridge and railroad overpasses.
Readers had suggested closing the far right lane of I-90 to allow a dedicated merge lane onto the freeway from the ramp. Again, traffic count is the enemy, claims Gilson.
The WSDOT considered that option after a similar setup was used during the construction period of 2006 and 2007. Gilson explained, “However, with approximately 35,000 vehicles a day traveling on the eastbound I 90 lanes combined with a reduction on I 90 from three to two lanes, a bottleneck on I 90 would be created. Traffic would slow, especially during commute hours, major events, and from backups caused by incidents. This would result in increased rear end collisions on the main freeway lanes and negate any collision reduction from on the ramp. In addition, such a change would also result in additional merging collisions as traffic enters I 90 from the US 2/Airport eastbound on ramp.”
He also pointed out that during the construction, “The WSDOT, City of Spokane, the Downtown Spokane Partnership, Spokane Transit, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and others, joined forces on an intensive media and communications blitz entitled ‘Downtown Freeway Fix.’ That campaign focused on persuading drivers to seek alternate routes and methods, to reach downtown Spokane without using I 90. The program was hugely successful and responsible for reducing the traffic volumes on I 90 over 30 percent during the two construction seasons.”
The collision history since 1999 has remained constant with approximately four collisions per year on the ramp, except for 2011 when the Latah Creek Bridge was under construction and collisions were higher. 86 percent of all collisions were rear end related caused by vehicles following too close or driving too fast for conditions. There were no serious or fatal collisions during this time period. While any collision is undesirable, the history indicates the ramp is operating reasonably well.
Gilson concluded, “It still remains that drivers need to be at the top of their game when entering eastbound Interstate 90 or on the freeway lanes approaching the on ramp. A goal of ‘precision driving’ can make traveling through this area safer for everyone.”
Readers may contact Bill Love via e-mail at precisiondriving@spokesman.com.
