Meigs road marking improves safety reduces confusion

In an effort to improve safety and reduce confusion for drivers, ODOT District 10 workers last week installed “elongated route shields” on State Route 33 near the Rock Springs interchange.

“Vehicles traveling westbound on US 33 from the Five Points interchange (US 33/SR 7 interchange) to the Rock Springs interchange (US 33/SR 7) were mistaking a right turn lane for Rocksprings Road for the exit ramp to US 33 westbound,” said Thomas Camden, District 10 studies supervisor. “This was expressed as a safety concern since those vehicles would not actually turn onto Rocksprings Road, but would travel on past the intersection to actual ramp.”

The aim of the route shields is to get drivers to go past the Rocksprings Road turn lane.

Along with the shields, there are arrows at two locations — one at the Rocksprings Road turn lane directing vehicles straight ahead, and the other at the beginning of the US 33 westbound ramp, directing vehicles onto the ramp.

The shields have been used in other parts of the state, but it’s the first time they’ve been placed in District 10. The maker of the material even tagged along last week to help workers install them.

“Until recently, there were concerns about the lack of friction on these markings; however, the manufacturer actually mixes in what they call ‘vizigrip’, which essentially puts grit in the paint to provide adequate friction for vehicles and motorcycles,” Camden said.