Overview

In 2019, The Washington State Department of Transportation built a roundabout at State Route 20 and Banta Road/Northgate Drive on Whidbeby Island. 

Improving safety on state highways is a top priority for WSDOT. Since 2011, law enforcement responded to 26 crashes at this intersection. Eleven of those collisions involved injuries. Statistics show that roundabouts help reduce injury and deadly crashes by more than 75 percent. This roundabout project will help improve safety during peak congestion and keep drivers moving through this area.

Island Transit also services stops on each side of the highway, the new roundabout includes pedestrian crossing areas and islands to help people safely cross the highway when accessing the nearby bus stops.

This roundabout also allows drivers north and south of the intersection to choose right-in right-out options from other intersections and driveways by providing a U-turn option at the new roundabout and will:

• Reduce the number of injury crashes, supporting Washington's strategic highway Target Zero plan.
• Keep drivers moving as additional vehicles are added to the road in this area.

Funding

The total estimated cost of this project was $3.2 million.

Timeline

• Summer/fall 2017 - Solicited community feedback.
• Spring 2018 - Selected appropriate design to improve safety at this location.
• March 2019 - Contract awarded to SRV Construction.
• June 6, 2019 - Construction begins.
• June 23, 2019 - Roundabout open to traffic.
• Summer 2019 - Construction complete.