OTHELLO — If you are driving south or north on SR 17 between Moses Lake and Othello, then expect delays as pavement sealing work is underway, creating delays between milepost 27 south of Moses Lake and milepost 44 south of Othello. The backup at about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday lasted approximately 20 minutes, according to Othello City Engineer and Public Works Director Robin Adolphsen, and there is no convenient alternative route to circumvent the roadwork. 

"I get stopped just north of Lind Coulee," she said. "Then it looked like they were setting up multiple stops that go clear south of Providence Road. So, I don't know that there's a great route around all of that." 

There is also a new roundabout at the intersection of Cunningham Road and SR 17 at Othello, which is now open to traffic. There is still work to be done on the roundabout, but it is mostly completed, said Washington State Department of Transportation Communications Manager Sebastian Moraga.   

"In three weeks, we will put in plastic markings and signage and in the fall, seed the roadside," he said. 

The markings will be done at night to alleviate delays, he said, with completion expected at the end of July or early August. The seeding will be completed in the fall away from the roadside and will not impact traffic flow, he said. 

Adolphsen said she hasn't seen a study on the number of accidents at the intersection, but historically it has been a dangerous section of the highway.  

"There were lots of accidents at that intersection, so that's why they went ahead and did that," she said. "But the city doesn't get a say in which intersections they put roundabouts at. I am excited for it. It will help traffic incoming and outgoing from the city. So, we're looking forward to having it completed. It's turning traffic. So, people trying to leave Othello and trying to turn into traffic – that's when there were more accidents." 

The roundabout was designed and constructed with large trucks in mind. SR 17 is a busy transportation route for semi trucks and that was a consideration by engineers in its design. 

"The roundabout is built in such a way that there's more room for the bigger rigs," said Moraga. "If there's nothing in the middle, they have that extra room for the turn."  

Moraga added that he is grateful for the patience of the public during the project. 

"I think that it's going to be a big plus because we all know that that intersection is a tricky one to navigate at high speed, and I think the roundabout is going to help quite a lot," he said. 

    This week a new roundabout opened to traffic near Othello on SR 17 and was designed to accommodate large trucks.