Another collision on road neighbors want fixed

A collision blocked both lanes just south of the Lewis Street Bridge during the morning commute on April 13.

Homeowners in the area say the accident is symptomatic of a larger issue that troubles the roadway. The crash happened at the intersection of Ben Howard Road and State Route 203, also known as Monroe Duvall Road.

It happened less than 2 1/2 miles from the notorious four-way High Rock Road intersection. Drivers heading north or south have little visibility as they approach the junction. Wide curves make up the roadway in either direction. The posted speed limit is 55 mph.

Three months ago Emily Heinl was waiting to turn left on to 203rd Street. The impact from a Sultan man’s blue 2000 Chrysler Voyager pushed her vehicle into oncoming traffic, where her 2017 Hyundai Elantra collided with a 2016 Ford Edge that was headed south.

About four dozen collisions have been recorded at the intersection in the past 15 years, while others have occurred nearby.

Two months before Heinl’s accident, Robert Allender had slowed to make a left turn into a private driveway. A 2001 Dodge Ram driven by a 48-year-old Ferndale man struck his vehicle, pushing his truck into the northbound lane where a 2008 Honda Fit met him head-on. The 79-year-old was killed and others were injured.

Signs warn drivers people may be waiting to turn out of 203rd Street or High Rock Road. Resident Peg Ferm was pleased when the flashing lights were adapted this winter to also indicate if someone is stopped on the highway.

She and a few of her neighbors attended a Meet Your Representative with Rep. Carolyn Eslick event late last fall to air their concerns. Eslick’s staff contacted the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the lights were fixed shortly after.

Resident Kate Ryan was stuck in the backup that resulted from the collision at Ben Howard Road. She was apprehensive the lights would have much of an impact.

“I’d also note that my experience with the blinking lights is that they often turn on when there is no one at the intersection at all and then turn off as someone approaches,” according to Ryan. “Seems to be extremely haphazard; likely leads to regular road users completely ignoring them.”

Ryan believes the real fix would be to build roundabouts. Until then she doesn’t expect “we will get much relief from tragedy.”