State Route 500 is an important link in Vancouver, WA, with 60,000 travelers on the road each day with nearly 400 incidents happening near two intersections and creating longer travel times. The Washington State Department of Transportation knew that had address the safety concerns and provide more efficient travel times to all who depend on SR 500. WSDOT led a planning study that worked to engage the community, including those often underserved, to ensure that their needs would be met. The $1 million project worked to develop a “Right in, Right Out” concept that reconfigured both intersections, removed traffic lights, installed barriers, and extended merge lanes. These improvements reduced intersection-related incidents by up to 70 percent and improved travel times, creating a roadway that operates more efficiently and keeps community safety the top priority.
America's Transportation Awards 