Clarkston roundabout open for business

Yahoo! News - Apr 13th, 2025

After more than a decade of planning and construction, Clarkston's new roundabout near the Interstate Bridge and the intersection of Diagonal, Bridge, and Second streets has finally opened to traffic. The roundabout, which is a five-leg spiral designed by Keller Associates, aims to reduce congestion and improve safety at one of the busiest intersections in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. Despite minor delays and an increased cost from the original $2.3 million bid to an estimated $2.7 million, the project was completed successfully with positive initial feedback from motorists and project managers.

The introduction of the roundabout marks a significant development for Clarkston, addressing the intersection previously identified as having the highest number of crashes in the city. Delays that once reached up to 45 seconds at the traffic light are expected to decrease dramatically, with average delays at the roundabout ranging from one to 10 seconds, reflecting a high level of service. This improvement is part of a broader effort to enhance traffic flow and safety in the area, making the completion of the roundabout a critical milestone for local transportation infrastructure.

Traffic Infrastructure Clarkston Roundabout Keller Associates Knife River Washington State Department Of Transportation

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RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a clear and timely report on the opening of a new roundabout in Clarkston, highlighting its expected benefits in terms of traffic efficiency and safety. It effectively communicates the project's background and current status, making it relevant and accessible to local readers. However, the story would benefit from a more balanced presentation, including diverse perspectives and detailed explanations of certain claims, such as cost changes and subcontractor decisions. While the article's clarity and timeliness are strong points, its potential impact and engagement are limited by the lack of controversy and diverse viewpoints. Overall, the story serves as a useful update on a significant local development but could be enhanced by greater depth and balance.

Accuracy

The story provides detailed information about the new roundabout in Clarkston, including its location, purpose, and construction details. The factual claims, such as the roundabout's location near the Interstate Bridge and the intersection's significance, are specific and verifiable. However, the article lacks an exact opening date, merely noting that it opened on a Friday, which could be more precise. The cost details and reasoning behind the subcontractor switch are mentioned but not deeply explored, leaving room for further verification. Overall, the story seems accurate but would benefit from additional details and corroboration on certain points.

Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of the project manager, Scott Linja, and focuses on the positive aspects of the roundabout's construction and operation. While it highlights the project's success and efficiency, it doesn't provide alternative viewpoints or criticisms, such as potential community concerns or opposition during the planning phase. Including perspectives from local residents or city officials could have offered a more balanced view of the project's impact and reception.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a logical flow of information from the project's history to its completion. The language is straightforward and accessible, making the story easy to understand. Specific details about the roundabout's purpose, location, and construction timeline are clearly presented, contributing to the reader's comprehension. However, the lack of specific dates and detailed explanations for certain claims slightly detracts from overall clarity.

Source quality

The article cites Scott Linja, the project manager at Keller Associates, as a primary source, which lends credibility to the technical and logistical details provided. However, it lacks a diversity of sources, relying heavily on a single perspective. Including input from other stakeholders, such as city officials, residents, or independent traffic experts, would enhance the article's reliability and provide a more comprehensive view of the project's significance and impact.

Transparency

The article offers some transparency regarding the project's history and cost changes but lacks detailed explanations for certain decisions, such as the subcontractor switch. It does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or the methodology behind the statements made by the project manager. Greater transparency about the decision-making process, funding sources, and any challenges faced during construction would improve the article's credibility and trustworthiness.