Council approves $31,450 traffic study for key intersections, including Washington Street options

The Lebanon City Council on Aug. 25 approved a task order with Olson Engineering to perform a conceptual design and traffic-impact study for several downtown intersections and to assess possible conversion of Washington Street to four lanes.

City staff said the scope covers intersections at Mill Creek and Lincoln, Harwood and Catherine, and Washington and Clark. The scope includes review of existing right-of-way constraints and an assessment of traffic impacts should Washington be widened; staff flagged the railroad crossing and the need to move sidewalks as primary constraints.

Staff placed the cost at $31,450 and the schedule at approximately six months for the conceptual study. The council approved the task order on first reading; a second reading was later recorded and the ordinance entered the city’s ordinance list.

Councilmembers noted the study may raise public concern given likely impacts to sidewalks and crossings; staff said the purpose is to produce objective analysis the council and public can review prior to any design or construction decisions.

If the study recommends a project, separate engineering, right-of-way surveys and funding decisions would follow.