Highway 30 Eastbound Merge Redesign at Columbia Street
Summary
ODOT redesigned the confusing eastbound merge near the Pig 'N Pancake after complaints, close calls, and queuing into the intersection. The new drop-lane design gives drivers 350 feet to merge instead of 170, with new signs and pavement markings. Councilors want bigger, clearer signage and asked how drivers who end up in the wrong lane will get back on track.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 1
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 8, 2026.
Impact analysis
ODOT has no funding identified to make the pilot permanent — it could only afford to strip it back to the original configuration if the city decides against it.
Everyone who drives eastbound on Highway 30, plus businesses near the merge that were seeing jockeying traffic and blocked access.
Drivers still get confused by the striping — one councilor counted 47 cars going straight from the right lane since August, and nearby residents worry about safety.
Mentions & discussions (1)
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