The New Bethany Blvd.

When we first moved to our home in late 1984, we lived on the edge of the country.  We could look out our living room window and see farms and undeveloped land to the north and west.  Our neighborhood was bordered to the west by 158th Ave., which ended at a T-intersection just 100 yards further north.  Here are a couple of photos from the late 80’s.

 Looking to the northwest from our living room. Looking west from our street with 158th just beyond.158th Ave.

By the early 90’s there were housing developments to the north and west, and 158th Ave. was continued through to the north.  It was also renamed Bethany Blvd.  As time went on and housing developments continued to the north the narrow “country road” Bethany Blvd. needed upgrading.  Here is a link to Suzanne’s blog which explains much of how all that came down.

Several years ago when we became aware of the scope of the plans for widening Bethany Blvd. we were thinking we might lose the houses across the street, and that we should consider selling our house.  Thankfully, that didn’t happen, and I think our property value and quality of life have not been adversely impacted.

So the past year or so Bethany Blvd. has been the scene of extensive construction, with flaggers, delays, gravel road entrance to our street, detours, traffic light timing disruptions, and reduced speed limits.  We’ve pretty much gone with the flow, not letting it stress us out.  In just the past few days the entire length of the construction area has now completed to the extent they are allowing four lanes of traffic.  Two traffic lights were added to the south, which will slow our car trips on average, but will also serve to break up traffic flows to allow easier exits from our neighborhood stop signs.

One downside is that there is now a permanent center divider between northbound and southbound lanes at the closest entrance to our neighborhood, which means we can only make right turns in and out.  For left turns we need to circle around to the other neighborhood entrance to the south.

 Looking west to the new right turn only intersection. Looking south on Bethany Blvd. Looking north.  The addition of the right turn lane is a big help. Looking south showing sidewalks, street lamps, sound walls, and four lanes.Many vehicles disregard the 25 MPH limit (and many get ticketed)–easier to do now that there are four lanes of traffic.  I shake my head when I see cars zipping by at 35 to 40 past our street.

Several more months are required to complete the curb work, paving, and landscaping.  I think it will look pretty nice.