Date:  Thursday, October 22, 2009

Contact: Dustin Terpening, Communications, 360-757-5997 (Burlington)
Jay Drye, Engineering Manager, 360-757-5993 (Burlington)

ARLINGTON – The public is invited to review the Washington State Department of Transportation’s plans for a new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 9 and 172nd Street (SR 531) near Arlington at an open house next week.

Residents and drivers will have an opportunity to view design plans and talk with project engineers in an informal setting from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Arlington High School, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd., Arlington.

A two-hour formal Access Hearing will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Arlington High School specifically for property owners within the project limits. During this time, impacted property owners can voice their thoughts and concerns to WSDOT and a court reporter about changes to their property access as a result of the project.

WSDOT picked the roundabout over an improved signal option earlier this month after doing an in-depth analysis and reviewing feedback from an open house in August. Engineers believe that a roundabout is the best solution for improving safety and relieving congestion at the intersection.

The roundabout will continue to work efficiently over the next 20 to 30 years even as a significant amount of development occurs near the intersection. The surrounding area is planned as a regionally-significant commercial and industrial center, and will bring more homes, businesses and drivers in the future.

The roundabout will also help prevent serious collisions for the 16,000 drivers that use the intersection daily. From 2004 to 2008, there were 28 collisions that resulted in 29 injuries. The majority of those collisions and injuries happened when drivers tried to turn left through the intersection.

Even if you can’t attend the open house, you can send your questions or concerns to WSDOT. Contact information and a comment form are available on the project Web page - www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR9/SR531intersection/.  

Construction on this $15.6 million project, funded through 2005 gas tax funds, will begin in 2011.

The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals requiring reasonable accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations or other reasonable accommodation by contacting Shawn Murinko, at 360-705-7097. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service or Tele-Braille at 7-1-1, Voice 1-800-833-6384, and ask to be connected to Shawn Murinko.

< Back to News Home