HOOD RIVER — The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Mt. Adams Avenue and Cascade Avenue is one step closer to becoming a reality. The intersection, located on an Oregon Department of Transportation Highway, received official conceptual support from the State Traffic Engineering following an Intersection Control Evaluation.
The intersection currently causes traffic delays for vehicles making left turns from Mt. Adams onto the freely flowing Cascade Avenue. ODOT considers it a failed intersection.
The intersection currently causes traffic delays for vehicles making left turns from Mt. Adams onto the freely flowing Cascade Avenue and poses challenges for agricultural freight vehicles traveling from the valley. Additionally, there are no pedestrian safety measures for crossing Cascade, classifying it as a failed intersection.
The proposed roundabout, identified as the preferred option in the City’s Transportation System Plan, is being considered to improve safety, traffic flow, freight mobility, and future transportation capacity. Expanding capacity at the intersection is important for future development of Hood River’s west side. The conceptual design includes a single-lane roundabout for initial construction, with design features that allow for future expansion to multi-lane traffic as additional capacity is needed with the west side’s growth.
Why a roundabout?
Roundabouts are designed to reduce vehicle speeds and user conflicts and are associated with a 78–82% reduction in fatal and injury crashes compared with signalized or stop-controlled intersections.
Modern roundabouts also reduce the number of locations where pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles can come into conflict. A single-lane roundabout has approximately 50% fewer pedestrian-vehicle conflict points than a comparable stop- or signal-controlled intersection.
Moreover, a roundabout offers advantages during emergency evacuations. Power companies may de-energize power lines during high-risk wildfire periods. A roundabout will operate normally without power, whereas a signalized intersection defaults to a three-way stop.
Next steps
While this conceptual approval is an important milestone, construction is not set to begin soon. The roundabout requires further planning, design, funding, and permitting before construction could occur. The City is currently seeking grant funding to advance the project through the design and engineering phases. Learn more at cityofhoodriver.gov/urban-renewal/westside/.
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