Entry traffic, even low volume, just before a natural slow down (e.g. entering the bridge) creates congestion. Hayden Island traffic (both north and south) should be routed via Marine Drive and the interchanges there. New lanes (northbound) should be created with the Marine drive onramp — that could “peel off” for the WA 14 exit on the north end of the bridge. Likewise, lanes added for WA 14 onramp southbound on bridge could “peel off” at the Marine Drive exit.

Study the I-205 bridge as an example. Lanes are created where WA 14 enter and then decrease at the PDX exit (southbound). A similar lane addition/reduction occurs northbound between PDX onramp and WA 14. Of course, (at this late date), I-205 would benefit greatly with an extra lane (or 2) each way between I-84 and PDX.

Massive merging from Delta Park & Marine DR/MLK slow northbound. Traffic moves faster at bridge approach where there is a trickle merging from island in comparison.

The Hayden Island onramp is the cause of a great deal of the northbound congestion stretching back for miles. It’s too close to the bridge and too close to the SR-14 offramp. Drivers intending to exit onto 14 position themselves in the right lane prior to the Hayden Island onramp, putting themselves into contention with slow merging traffic. By the time you get onto the actual bridge, the traffic quickly speeds up to 40–50 mph, even at peak rush hour.

A local-access bridge with a beefier Delta Park interchange has always been the obvious solution to the actual congestion problem. It would be nice if this bridge were being designed to alleviate corridor congestion, instead of a sop to Hayden Island!