Widening Highway 101: Three More Years
That two-and-a-half-mile stretch of 101 between Sequim and Port Angeles (from Kitchen-Dick Road to Shore Road) will still be widened to four lanes — but not until 2011. Well, it’ll be started in 2011; and completed in 2013.
But how much good is this gonna do anyway? In areas that are growing rapidly (e.g. urban California), there are a lot of disagreements about widening freeways. Will it help the flow of traffic, or will it just encourage more people to drive alone instead of carpooling or taking mass transit?
And according to a lot of theories, widening a freeway will increase traffic bottlenecks on nearby surface streets.
It’s a moot point for the next three to five years anyway, but what do you think about widening 101 between Sequim and Port Angeles?
But how much good is this gonna do anyway? In areas that are growing rapidly (e.g. urban California), there are a lot of disagreements about widening freeways. Will it help the flow of traffic, or will it just encourage more people to drive alone instead of carpooling or taking mass transit?
And according to a lot of theories, widening a freeway will increase traffic bottlenecks on nearby surface streets.
It’s a moot point for the next three to five years anyway, but what do you think about widening 101 between Sequim and Port Angeles?
Labels: Highway 101 Sequim Port Angeles, Kitchen-Dick Road, Shore Road
posted by Tom Harper at 3:39 PM
13 Comments:
I drive from Sequim to P.A. five days a week, twice daily. The section of road between Kitchen-Dick and Shore Road is the worst stretch on the entire route.
People routinely wait until the last minute to move into the only available lane or they're trying to pass you to escape the bottleneck. It's a dangerous situation and most of the accidents and fatalities occur on that stretch of 101.
I'm all for widening the highway.
I agree with commuter. All of the two lanes becoming one lane stuff seems to be too confusing for most drivers. They either ride in the left lane (slightly below the speed limit) or they zoom between the two lanes passing everything in sight, and then suddenly notice they have to merge back. Yikes!
I think a temp fix for that stretch that some people can't seem to handle would be some flashing warning lights near the merge sign.
As much as I dislike flashing lights in general, if it prevents just one accident it may be worthwhile.
The real widening lane issue is about 104 to the Hood Canal bridge. If that road ever becomes four lanes then Sequim will become another Bellevue and Port Angeles will be the new Woodinville. It's like an open invitation for more people to move here.
That's a gruesome thought, 104 being widened to 4 lanes. Hopefully that won't be for a long time, if at all. Having the peninsula turn into a Seattle suburb, no thanks.
I couldn't care less about a small section between PA and Sequim. The money would be better spent on some passing lanes between here and the bridge.
You'd rather 101-104 continue to be a two lane death trap? Or perhaps you like to follow RV's in August that don't seem to go faster than 35 mph and blantently oblivious to the "delay of 5 vehicle illegal' and slow moving vehicle turn out signs?
As for how to yield when your lane ends, is pretty blood obvious too. You yield the right of way. (just like it says in the book) I dont care how impressive your vehicle is, don't expect anyone to get out of your way, especially me.
If you dont want to play the game according to the rules, you can either hit me or go in the ditch, both will be your fault and both will be expensive to you. Sure I am accomdating but not so much for stupid people.
Maybe that local transportation planning website (yesterday's paper) will get some people out of their cars and onto the bus. Probably not though.
Whether they widen the roads or not, the best solution would be to crack down on those oblivious #####s who drive under the speed limit and won't pull over.
So what if PA & Sequim look like Woodinville or Silverdale...I would like more variety in shopping oportunities and better restaurants...we need an Outback Steakhouse!
Yes, the reactive action instead of proactive action.
Perhaps the US of A should change its motto from
E pluribus unum
to
The beatings will continue until the moral improves.
Or "Arbeit Macht Frei"
I can't picture PA & Sequim turning into Bellevue, Woodinville, or any other Seattle suburb. Our new economy is based almost entirely on tourism and retirees. So there's some more waiter and clerk positions available, that's not going to give anyone enough money to turn this place into Bellevue no matter how many lanes we have on the highway.
And the quote on your front page... Mullholland Drive? Seems like the cowboy had a quote similar to that.
You're right; it was the cowboy in Mulholland Drive.
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