St. Helens council approves flashing crosswalk near Gable Road after resident describes near-miss at Highway 30 intersection

A St. Helens resident who said she narrowly avoided being struck at the Gable Road and Highway 30 intersection urged the City Council to improve safety at the corner, and the council approved a $42,190 contract to install a rectangular rapid flashing beacon there.

Kit Gardas, who identified herself as a Columbia City resident living in St. Helens, told the council she was first in line in a left-turn lane on Gable Road when a semi pulled through the intersection on a red light at about 3:30 p.m., narrowly missing her vehicle. “Had I taken the turn a second earlier, I wouldn't be reading this to you tonight,” Gardas said.

The safety concern came before the council as agenda item R-721, for which members voted to award a contract to TFT Construction to install an RRFB on Gable Road. The council recorded the contract amount as $42,190. Councilor Sandeep, Council President (Schillman/Chilton), Councilor Herbert and another council member voted in favor.

Council members and speakers framed the RRFB as a lower-cost, targeted safety improvement following public concern. Councilor Howard, who later referenced a personal injury at the same intersection, said the crossing has a history of crashes and urged the council to look for ways to reduce risk.

The council did not adopt additional measures requested by the resident, such as automated enforcement cameras, during the meeting. Councilors noted staff would continue to evaluate traffic-safety options and implement projects within budget constraints.

The RRFB contract is project R-721 and the award authorizes the mayor to sign the agreement with TFT Construction.

The council did not set a timeline during the meeting for installation; staff follow-up was implied.