RESIDENTS of a US city are fearing a sudden rise in congestion on the roads as construction on a new Costco nears completion.
Locals have mixed feelings on the new store – with many hoping it will cut congestion at other stores but also fearing it could bring a rise in traffic.
Residents of a US city have expressed mixed feelings over the imminent opening of a Costco store[/caption]
The megastore is set to open its doors in August but has yet to settle on an exact date[/caption]
The megastore, which is coming to Richland, Washington State, by August, has yet to settle on an opening date.
However, parts of the parking lot and the building’s exterior are already complete, according to KEPRTV.
But as its grand opening edges closer, some residents have been expressing their concerns, with one telling reporters: “I think it’s good but it’s just going to bring a lot of traffic.”
And another added: “Well, I’m excited for the Costco here but I am nervous about the traffic here.
“I mean, traffic along Queensgate’s already bad enough, you know, so like, I can imagine that Costco is just going to make it worse.”
A resident from West Richland had a more positive opinion, saying: “I live in West Richland and I’ve often felt like we were on the edge of civilization a little bit so it’s pretty exciting to me to have the Costco gas station right here.”
The report added that the city of Richland has begun infrastructure improvements on some roads nearby in anticipation of the store’s opening.
Recent stats revealed there are 630 Costco stores in the US, including Puerto Rico, with 143 of those in California.
TOTAL RECALL
This comes as, earlier this month, Costco shoppers were warned of two kinds of tires – the Michelin Agilis CrossClimate C-Metric Tires Size 185/60R15C and the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 Tires Size 235/40R19 – had been recalled over safety issues.
Michelin issued a recall notice for the Agilis CrossClimate C-metric tires because the size did not comply with regulatory requirements and posed a greater risk of a crash.
“Chunks of tread rubber may detach from the shoulder block,” the recall stated.
The recall also noted that tire identification information is usually written on the side of each tire, directly above the bead.
Drivers who believe they purchased the recalled product were urged to double-check if they possess the faulty tires.
Those who bought the Michelin tires were asked to visit their local Michelin retailer, who would remove and replace the product with an equivalent tire.
Drivers will not be charged for the service.
The other tire, by Bridgestone Blizzak, was recalled because it did not comply with certain safety measures.
According to the recall, the Blizzak 6 tires “did not bear the DOT certification symbol on the tire sidewalls.”
“The Department of Transportation has found that tires missing the required DOT symbol may be used in appropriate applications, increasing the risk of a crash,” the recall said.
Examining the condition of tires
As a driver, it’s important to be able to identify potentially dangerous problems with tires and how to spot precursors. Here’s what to look for:
- Regularly examine the tread depth of the tire. It is a great way to understand how much life there is in a tire before it needs to be replaced. You can use an upside-down quarter or a penny to check the depth. If the president’s head can be fully seen, start saving for new tires.
- Examine the sidewall for cracks or bubbles, especially after colliding with a curb or median. A bubble may not show up immediately, so it’s important to keep an eye on it for a while before dismissing it.
- When inflating a tire with a digital pressure reader, always zero it out before plugging it into the valve to ensure previous data is erased.
- Have your tires regularly balanced and rotated at the proper intervals, as tire inspections are a part of the service.
- Understand the warranty (if any) that came with the tires. Many times new tires will have a warranty for certain types of damage, and that can help get a damaged tire replaced for free or at a discount.
- Learn to read the sidewall of a tire. Even if the tread is within spec, a tire can still be dangerous if it’s too old.
Source: Columbus Nissan
