Anacortes: Traffic Revisions on Commercial Ave at 6th and 8th

Anacortes, WA – On Friday, February 5, the Anacortes Public Works Department is going to switch the signals on Commercial Avenue at 6th and 8th Streets over to blinking red, four-way stop intersections. The City will also install stop signs at these intersections.

The purpose of the project is pedestrian safety and traffic mobility. The current signal configuration with timed red and green phases during the day and flashing red and yellow at night is unique to the State. We have been warned that these signals are a liability as they are non-standard and do not meet the MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices), the statewide standard for signage in Washington.

The signals are not pedestrian friendly as the current signals are not obvious to users of the sidewalk and unintentional jaywalking is common at these intersections.

Traffic studies have shown that with the very low volume of traffic on Commercial Avenue the Level of Service (LOS) for the 4-way stop will stay at a LOS A with a reduction in overall delay at the intersection including a reduction in delay on the side streets.

After much deliberation, as well as with the recommendation from the Traffic Safety Committee on August 18, 2015, the City will revise both signals to blink red in four directions for a four-way stop. This will make the two intersections standardized and understandable for all, especially pedestrians.

For questions or comments please contact Eric Shjarback, City Engineer, at erics@cityofanacortes.org

 

SOURCE: APD PRESS MEMO 2/2/2016