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Downtown Revitalization and Access Improvements, US-395 - Colville
Downtown Revitalization and Access Improvements, US-395 - Colville
Finished Roundabout
Purpose & Need
The mixture of significant freight and highway traffic on Main Street with its multiple traffic lights and slower speeds has created congestion, noise, and air quality concerns. Congestion also makes parallel parking maneuvers difficult for shoppers, which detracts from the shopper-friendly atmosphere desirable for downtown. Transportation of hazardous materials on Main Street is also a concern.
Context
This project is in a rural town-center context. The project is located in eastern Washington with a highway speed of 60 mph prior to the city and 25-35 mph through the city. The town center consists of small businesses throughout the core, and revitalization is desirable. Freight is a major component of the traffic, with the largest trucks present in high numbers. This route serves as a major artery to the town. There is substantial room for development in the area, although growth is predicted to be limited. Pedestrian safety is a concern and pedestrian volumes are moderate for a town of this nature.
Initial Design Concept
To relieve congestion and improve traffic flow, the traffic signal
at Main Street (US-395) and Hawthorne Road will be replaced
with a unique oval-shaped roundabout. The Colville Roundabout
will benefit users by decreasing motorist delay, increasing local
traffic mobility, creating an attractive gateway into the City's
South entrance, and by improving pedestrian safety.
Challenges
- Understanding traffic flow
- Maneuvering trucks and
emergency vehicles
- Improvement under traffic
- Corridor traffic flow
- Access
- Right of way acquisition
Solutions
- Public involvement
- Accommodate large trucks
- Stage construction phases
- Build oval roundabout to
accommodate business
approaches and side streets
- Work with land owners to finalize
property purchases
Funding
This project has local, state, and federal funds. The overall
project budget is about $6 million. Washington State Department
of Transportation's (WSDOT's) contribution to this project is
about $1.5 million. The city of Colville's budget from local,
federal, and Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) sources is
about $4.5 million.
US-395 Colville case study
