Montesano City Hall saw more than 70 people attend a state Department of Transportation open house on Oct. 30.

Engineers and DOT staff were on hand to discuss possible revisions for the intersection of the Highway 12 westbound offramp and Highway 107 near downtown at Monte Square.

Four alternatives were noted. Throughout the upstairs of City Hall, engineer drawings of each alternative were stood on easles. A representative from SCJ Alliance, the engineering consulting group, was stationed at each drawing to answer questions.

The four alternatives are:

• Realigning the off-ramp, which would basically widen the off-ramp and stripe the off-ramp for how drivers currently handle the intersection. The cost of this alternative is estimated at $350,000.

• A traffic signal where the off ramp meets 107 at Brumfield Avenue. Estimated cost: $1 million.

• A compact roundabout that allows semi trucks to drive over it. Estimated cost: $307,000.

• A large roundabout that’s offset to allow semi trucks to cut the corner. Estimated cost: $1.5 million.

Another alternative is to do nothing at the intersection, and the comment card allowed for residents to suggest their own alternative.

The city received $550,000 from the state to fund a traffic revision at the intersection.

Mayor Vini Samuel and members of the Montesano City Council were on hand, answering questions and having conversations with the public.

The problem with the intersection is that Brumfield Avenue doesn’t allign with the westbound offramp.

“It’s an offset intersection, so when two cars at going the opposite way in the intersection, it’s kind of like a chicken match. It’s even worse at night when you can’t see the other driver’s eyes,” SCJ Alliance senior principal Bob Jewell explained.

The roundabout, though met with local opposition, is a natural solution to the issue because with the offset intersection drivers are already navigating the intersection like they would in a roundabout.

“We could do nothing, but we have an opportunity to do soemthing now before it becomes a big problem,” Jewell said.

That idea of getting ahead of the problem before it exists was echoed by Mayor Samuel.

“We are on the cusp of not having a problem to having a problem,” Samuel said. “We’re feeling the push on it. If can build now before we have a significant problem where people are hurt, that’s ideal.”

Expansions throughout Grays Harbor County could mean increased vehicle traffic to Montesano, and Port of Grays Harbor expansion could mean increased rail traffic through Montesano, Samuel noted.

The meeting was organized by the state Department of Transportation, the agency ultimately responsible for the project. The format of the meeting was similar to other meetings held for DOT projects. There was no presentation and no opportunity for the public to make outspoken comments.

Instead, the public was asked to answer a comment card provided at the door into the meeting. The card could be returned at the end and those comments would be taken into consideration.

Doug Iverson, an outspoken opponent of the potential roundabout, was disappointed by the format of the meeting.

“We wanted some information. We wanted some presentations,” Iverson said. “What are the costs? The money that was received — what is it for? What can it be spent on?”

When asked if he had asked any questions of the engineers, Iverson said, “The engineers are interested in pushing one of those options.”

“We want, from the city administration, the funds that were received — what are they for and what can they be spent on? We’ve never had an explanation,” Iverson said. “We received a roundabout and a rest area in a little drawing with our water bill, and that’s been pretty much the extent of the explanation. Now, the public has spoke pretty loud — they’re not interested in a roundabout — but that has not been heard by the city.”

Samuel noted that the meeting was for the DOT, and not for the city. The format was good for conversation, she said.

“If we can individually talk to people, then we can answer questions. It promotes discussions and good decision-making,” Samuel said. “One of the things that does not promote discussion and good decision-making is the inability to have a productive conversation. This format is designed for people to actually talk.”

Councilman Ian Cope agreed that the format of the meeting was good for discussions and information.

While he liked some of the alternatives presented, he said he would be interested in more evidence from DOT.

“I’m not sure that I’m sold on either one of the roundabout ideas — I like one more than the other, but I don’t know that they’re necessary for that intersection,” Cope said. “I would say a variation on the traffic light plan. I would need to see some evidence that a traffic light is even going to do any good there, but I like the lanes.”

Ultimately, however, all of the representatives made it clear that the final decision was up to DOT.

SCJ Alliance image Alternative 5 would include a small roundabout at the Highway 12 westbound offramp.

SCJ Alliance image Alternative 5 would include a small roundabout at the Highway 12 westbound offramp.

SCJ Alliance image Alternative 3 would see a traffic signal installed at the Highway 12 westbound offramp.

SCJ Alliance image Alternative 3 would see a traffic signal installed at the Highway 12 westbound offramp.

SCJ Alliance image Alternative 4 would feature a large roundabout with a cutaway for semi-truck traffic at the Highway 12 westbound offramp.