The INDEPENDENT, July 1, 2010
Page 21
ODOT still plans to use variable speed signs at Staley’s Junction
During the past several
years, the Oregon Department
of Transportation has produced
an Interchange Area Manage-
ment Plan (IAMP) for Staley’s
Junction, the intersection of
U.S. 26 (Sunset Highway) and
OR 47 (Nehalem Highway),
and completed initial planning
work for a new interchange at
this location.
While ODOT is currently un-
able to begin the design and
construction phases of the in-
terchange project due to a lack
of transportation funding, safety
concerns at this location re-
main. A pilot project has been
developed to address safety in
the area by adding variable
speed signs on U.S. 26 near
the junction with OR 47. This
project is considered to be an
interim project to increase safe-
ty at the interchange until funds
become available for the larger
interchange project.
What are variable speed
signs? The variable speed sign
project focuses on improving
overall safety for left-turning ve-
hicles from OR 47 onto east-
bound U.S. 26, which can be a
difficult maneuver during peak
traffic periods, particularly on
summer weekends. The aver-
age crash rate at this intersec-
tion is higher than on other sim-
ilar highways. Variable speed
signs will be used to slow the
approaching traffic on U.S. 26
during peak periods by tem-
porarily reducing the speed lim-
it. Slower moving traffic on U.S.
26 will allow vehicles turning
onto the highway to make their
maneuver more safely.
Two new variable speed
signs and warning beacons
(one in each direction) will be
installed on U.S. 26 on either
side of OR 47. Signs will be
linked to traffic sensors that
record traffic speed and volume
to determine the speed limit. 50
mph is the posted speed limit in
the area. Drivers on U.S. 26 will
see flashing beacons if the
speed limit drops below 50
mph. The speed limit will vary
from 30 to 50 mph, depending
on traffic conditions. Speeds
will not change more than once
every 15 minutes. Oregon
State Police and Washington
County Sheriff will enforce
speed limits as displayed.
Variable speed technology
has proven effective at reduc-
ing collisions and improving
traffic flow. Specific benefits in-
clude:
• Up to a 30% reduction in
collisions
• Up to a 22% increase in
roadway capacity
• Better information about
traffic congestion ahead
This is the first project of its
kind in Oregon, although vari-
able speed projects have been
implemented in many other
states. Project construction is
expected to begin soon, and
the signs will be activated
around Fall 2010. Motorists can
expect intermittent daytime
shoulder closures on U.S. 26
from spring until fall.
An Open House, held for the
public on May 18, has not
caused any changes in the cur-
rent plan outlined above.
Low-flying aircraft is expected
Oregon residents should not
be alarmed to witness a low-fly-
ing aircraft over parts of south-
ern Washington and northern
Oregon in late-June through
July.
Beginning on June 19th and
lasting about six weeks, a
fixed-wing aircraft monitored by
the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) began collecting and
recording geologic measure-
ments over parts of Washing-
ton and Oregon.
Scientific equipment is
mounted to the aircraft and is
designed to map geologic
structures beneath the earth.
This analysis is part of an on-
going USGS federal research
program to identify physical oc-
currences such as changes in
rock types.
The aircraft is controlled by
experienced pilots who are spe-
cially trained for low-level flying
and is operated by Goldak Air-
borne Surveys, Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, Canada.