June 22, 2018
T he C olumbia P ress
Traffic signal considered at Longview bridge
Oregon Department of
Transportation leaders think
a traffic signal is warranted on
Highway 30 at the Lewis and
Clark Bridge near Longview.
Analysts evaluated the con-
gestion causing traffic back-
ups in both directions on
Highway 30.
There is no identified proj-
ect or a funding source for the
work, however.
The Lewis and Clark Bridge
has numerous limitations
that create bottlenecks. It’s
a narrow two-lane structure
with steep grades.
There are few options to al-
leviate congestion outside of
replacing the existing bridge
or building a second one. A
new bridge or major enhance-
ment project likely isn’t fea-
sible due to the tremendous
cost and lengthy design and
approvals process, ODOT re-
ported.
The bridge is under the
jurisdiction of Washington
state’s Department of Trans-
portation.
Last year, traffic was back-
ing up into Rainier during
peak travel times. The back-
ups increased noticeably last
year as did back-ups on the
Highway 30 approach from
Astoria.
ODOT has identified plans
to install a dynamic queue
warning system for east-
bound traffic to address safe-
ty concerns of slow/stopped
queues
alongside
high-
speed, downhill flows.
Currently, signs on the
bridge entrance ramps in-
dicate that eastbound traffic
should proceed directly onto
the bridge while westbound
traffic should yield. It’s nec-
essary to prevent crashes
when eastbound traffic is
backed up on the downgrade
where there are blind curves
and high-speed traffic.
The proposed new signal
went through significant
review by the state traffic
roadway engineer because it
would operate in an uncon-
ventional manner.
A future signal would be
used to manage traffic en-
tering the bridge much like
ramp meters used on urban
freeways, rather than con-
trolling traffic from multiple
directions as do signals at
typical intersections.
ODOT will continue to mon-
itor traffic around the bridge
and will continue to work in
cooperation with Washington
officials and the city of Rain-
ier.
5
CMH nurse receives honors
Margaret Santee, a
individual and work-
registered nurse and
place medical cases,
30-year employee at
ensuring the patients
Columbia Memorial
are getting the most
Hospital, has received
appropriate care and
a March of Dimes
level of support.
Nurse of the Year
“Margaret’s
con-
award.
tinual commitment
It’s the fourth year
to the care of pa-
in a row that a CMH Santee tients and families has
nurse has received the dis- brought her great success in
tinction.
the Care Management De-
Santee, who received the partment,” said Erik Thors-
2018 Case Management, Oc- en, the hospital’s chief exec-
cupational Health and Utili- utive officer. “We can always
zation Review Nurse of the count on her for amazing
Year award for Oregon and clinical expertise, caring
Southwest Washington, was and commitment to pa-
recognized at an awards cer- tients. She genuinely cares
emony June 1 in Portland.
for all.”
Santee also was named a 4-H
Her specific award is giv-
en to a nurse who reviews Leader of the Year in 2012.