Nice weather could pave way for two-way traffic on Main Street

If you’re ready to drive southbound on Main Street in downtown Vancouver, pray for sun this weekend.

City operations workers must paint new traffic and parking lines before the street can be opened to two-way traffic.

And that means no rain.

City officials announced Thursday they would try to get the job done Saturday. The work started three weeks ago with removal of some curbs and planters.

“Right now, Saturday looks pretty good,” said Bill Whitcomb, Vancouver deputy transportation manager. “We’re hoping the weather holds on and we will be able to do the work.”

If the work occurs as scheduled, Main Street will be closed to all traffic from Sixth Street to 15th Street, except for emergency vehicles. Intersections and east-west streets, as well as sidewalks, will remain open. Parking will not be allowed after 5 a.m. Saturday.

Whitcomb said he suspects operations crews would try to work around any cars that remain, instead of immediately calling for a tow truck.

At the end of painting, one-way signs will be taken down. New signs will alert drivers and pedestrians to changes.

The project also includes installing new traffic signals. Recent hurricanes on the Gulf Coast have delayed equipment delivery, but the signal work will be completed when it arrives.

The project has been long sought by area businesses and residents. Some have noted that Main Street currently leads one way: out of town.

Broadway, one block east, was converted to two-way traffic more than a year ago. Both streets had been one-way for decades.