Project Overview

Since 2011, there have been 3 fatal accidents on the Army Post Road Corridor. There has also been steady traffic growth and congestion at Army Post Road and SE 36th St. The City commissioned a traffic study to investigate and address safety and traffic operations along Army Post Road near SE 36th Street. The study was completed in early 2020. The City held a public meeting via Zoom on July 14, 2020, to present the results of the study, review recommendations for short-term and long-term improvements at the intersection, and answer questions.

Study Findings

The study identified that there is excessive delay and queuing for southbound vehicles on 36th Street at Army Post Road. The study intersection was shown to be under the statewide average crash rate for similar intersections. The fatal crashes were also determined to not be related to the intersection of 36th Street. The study did indicate that vehicle speeds on Army Post Road and on SE 36th Street north of Army Post Road exceeded the posted speed limit. To address traffic growth and speed concerns, the study looked at short-term recommendations and two long-term alternatives.

Recommended Short-term Improvement Recommendations

• Advanced Intersection Signing (completed in April 2020)
• Improved Intersection Lighting (currently in progress)
• Edgeline and Centerline Rumble Strips on Army Post Road (anticipated installation by the end of 2020)

For the long-term alternatives, a traffic signal with turn lanes and a roundabout were analyzed. A roundabout was selected as the recommended long-term improvement because it will slow all entering vehicles, result in fewer head-on and angle crashes, and reduce crash severity. A roundabout also is expected to result in less delay and queuing for drivers.

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