Next year ODOT intends to go ahead with a project to raise the clearance of the Santiam Highway overpass across I-5 (even though this is essentially a waste of money since almost all traffic finds the clearance sufficient). It plans to close the northbound exit there for maybe four weeks, directing that traffic to the Knox Butte offramp instead.

The city council had asked the state agency for a temporary signal at the Knox Butte offramp. ODOT said no, though it might consider a four-way stop or even flaggers.

But none of that would be necessary if ODOT finally designated the Highway 34 interchange on I-5 to be the first northbound exit to Albany. For some reason, the state has refused to put up signs saying as much — ignoring editorial advice to that effect over the years — even though many motorists already go that route when they come from the south or go that way.

If most northbound I-5 traffic bound for anywhere in Albany got off at the Highway 34 exit, problems at Knox Butte would never even come up.

Following this suggestion would save ODOT all kinds of expense in dealing with more traffic exiting at Knox Butte. Let’s see if this time they follow it up. (hh)