ODOT hits the brakes on Highway 217 ramp closure plan

By Geoff Pursinger

The Times, Nov 19, 2009, Updated Nov 24, 2009 (4 Reader comments)

The future of Hwy 217

The reason why ODOT has yet to expand the highway is a familiar story: It will cost the state an estimated $1 billion, which is money the state just doesn’t have.

That leaves ODOT and city officials searching for cheaper solutions.

“There are other kinds of traffic management things that can be done (for 217),” said Dirksen. “Such as informational signs that would warn drivers of potential backups, or interactive speed signs that can lower the speed limits when traffic is at its heaviest.”

By slowing down cars ahead of time, Dirksen said, people will brake less and ease congestion.

“People come up on a slow spot of traffic, and then people step on their brakes, which causes the people behind them step on their brakes, and the people behind them step on their bakes — and before you know it you’re stopped.”

Ramp closures in other parts of 217 — away from Washington Square — are still on the table, including the Cedar Hills exit and Denny Road.

ODOT’s next step is to study the impact and costs of the proposed ideas.

“We had several good ideas at the meeting, but they’re all still just in the idea stage,” Dirksen said.

Schlueter, and Westside Economic Alliance members, plan to meet with ODOT officials, Dec. 9 to discuss other ways to fix 217’s congestion.

“We just need to keep the promises that were made 20 years ago to the people of Washington County. That’s really the lesson here,” Schlueter said.

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Reader comments

Re: ODOT backs off on Hwy 217 closures

Perhaps these government imbeciles should just quit giving free money to illegal aliens and buying new teeth for druggies who melted theirs right out of their mouths smoking meth.

Before you know it, we'd have the money to make 217 4-Lanes wide and pave Hwy26 4-Lanes all the way to the coast.

"Tom"

(email verified)

Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 04:05 PM

Re: ODOT hits the brakes on Highway 217 ramp closure plan

“Population only grows in one direction,”

Not if the greed stops and sensible, sustainable planning is incorporated.

The only problem we, the people, have is developers branding new ways to cram more and more humans (read: taxpaying consumers) into less space thus insuring their cash flows.. . .

. . . and to have enough left over to bribe (read: contribute to the campaign fund) of their local politician.

"msmith55"

(email verified)

Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 02:43 PM

Re: ODOT hits the brakes on Highway 217 ramp closure plan

So the state gambles PERS funds on the market, blows millions and then cries about 'not having enough money.'

Typical.

"Chris McMullen"

(email verified)

Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 02:46 PM

Re: ODOT hits the brakes on Highway 217 ramp closure plan

Widen the road!! Informational signs won't do much but put more traffic onto surface streets and lowering the speed limit during traffic is redundant - you're already going 20. Either limit the number of ramps, widen the road, or put in a divided "26 to I-5 only" lane (each way) in the middle. Oh, and how about more than one lane going to I-5 south and no on-ramp from 72nd south? That was a bad design!