That’s the kind of cockeyed photo of a highway feature you get when you try to photograph it at 45 miles an hour, holding a little camcorder out the sunroof without being able to see the viewfinder.
Commuters on Highway 20 between Albany and Corvallis will recognize this thing. It’s the signal mast over the newly rebuilt eastbound lanes of the Albany-Corvallis Highway between Granger Avenue and Independence Highway.
Why was I trying to take that shot while driving by? Because it’s a contruction zone and there’s no place to pull off the road and stop.
And why take it at all? To illustrate my answer to a reader’s question on Sept. 23.
“Hasso,” Grace asked, “have you seen that giant, silver monstrosity recently erected on Hwy. 20 between Independence Hwy. and Granger? If so, do you think they’re putting in a light?”
No, ODOT has made it clear it does not want traffic signals at Granger or Independence, two notorious intersections where making a left turn is taking your life in your hands.
Instead, this massive signal mast arching over the highway will hold a couple of signs, as shown in a still from ODOT’s video illustration of the work now going on there:
If you want a refresher on this project, which is Phase 1 in ODOT’s Highway 20 safety project, check out the agency’s website here.
In summary, instead of installing traffic signals on Highway 20, the agency is building left-turn refuges and acceleration lanes at both Granger and Independence.
These lanes are intended to let motorists make left turns on to Highway 20 after waiting for a gap in only westbound traffic.
That should make left turns less of a nail-biter when traffic is heavy. We’ll see how it works when the construction is finished. According to ODOT, this is supposed to be in August 2023. (hh)
Thanks. I have been scratching my head about it’s purpose….
Shame on you Hasso. You do know that you violated one of the Oregon State Traffic Codes don’t you?
Which one?
Possibly it’s distracted driving that may fall under this: “What about other devices?”
https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2017/09/oregons_new_distracted_driving.html
Read O.R.S 811.507 covers the use of hand held electronic devices.
It’s a camera, not an electronic device. Though I admit I don’t know exactly what is and what isn’t an electronic device.
I’ll suggest that if it has even a single computer chip of any kind inside, it is an electronic device. Believe you could easily clarify by biking over to local DMV and showing/asking them. :-)
You mean it would be okay to shoot with an old Kodak Brownie but not with a 10-year-old camera? That makes no sense.
Welcome to our legal system.
If you can do that without being distracted…have at it.
Are they installing sign posts on 9th Ave between Oak and Geary? and if so, they are almost hidden by trees on the north side.
I just dont understand why such a huge monstrosity of a sign has to be used Surely they could have used something that went along with the pleasant scenery around 20 and still been large enough to get the message across! Its just hideous!
Hasso, I’d say dont even bring it up
Oh no. The commenters are gatekeeping again…