Project news

• Get information about the City of Poulsbo’s SR 305/Johnson Road roundabout.
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What's the approach?
Following an in-depth review, several improvements along the corridor were selected based on a performance scoring system, project readiness, and available funding. 

Which intersections?
The first in a suite of improvements for the SR 305 corridor is a roundabout at Johnson Road. This project led by the City of Poulsbo will begin fall 2020. The roundabout at this intersection will be complete by late 2021.

Beginning fall 2021, WSDOT will build several improvements for the corridor on Bainbridge Island. This will include modern roundabouts at the intersections of:

• Northeast West Port Madison
• Northeast Adas Will Lane

Improvements are also planned at Agatewood Road Northeast:

• Agatewood Road Northeast will become a right in/right out intersection.

A right in/right out intersection limits access to right turns off SR 305 and right turns onto SR 305.

Other priorities for construction include a roundabout at Suquamish Way or Northeast Totten Road.

 Funding will need to be determined for the following identified corridor improvements: 

• Masi Shop access improvements
• Sandy Hook Road Northwest roundabout
• Sportsman Club Road Northeast intersection improvements
• Noll Road Northeast access modifications
• Northeast Sol Vei Street, Northeast Tollefson Street, and Delate Road Northeast and access modifications
• Seminole Road Northeast access modifications

​Why roundabouts?
The centerpiece of the proposed improvements include roundabouts along the corridor.

Due to a number of benefits, WSDOT currently has about 100 roundabouts on other state highways in Washington. These benefits include helping reduce the potential for crashes while keeping traffic moving. There are several reasons why roundabouts help reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions:

• Low travel speeds – Drivers must slow down and yield to traffic before entering a roundabout. Speeds in the roundabout are typically between 15 and 20 miles per hour. The few collisions that occur in roundabouts are typically minor and cause few injuries since they occur at such low speeds.
• No light to beat – Roundabouts are designed to promote a continuous flow of traffic. Drivers need only yield to traffic before entering a roundabout; if there is no traffic in the roundabout, drivers are not required to stop. Because traffic is constantly flowing through the intersection, drivers don't have the incentive to speed up to try and "beat the light," like they might at a traditional intersection.
• One-way travel – Roads entering a roundabout are gently curved to direct drivers into the intersection and help them travel counterclockwise around the roundabout. The curved roads and one-way travel around the roundabout eliminate the possibility for T-bone and head-on collisions.

Why not widen SR 305?
The proposed improvements represent an incremental approach to improve mobility. This approach maximizes the capacity of current infrastructure.

What about the Agate Pass Bridge?
A WSDOT study estimated a new 3-lane bridge could cost upwards of $122 million. While funding has not been identified, WSDOT will continue efforts to preserve this span through annual bridge cleaning and inspection. 

The End Result
Working with community partners, WSDOT is continuing the process to produce the final suite of improvements for the corridor.

Needs & benefits

• Reduced potential for crashes.
• Improved safety and better access to the corridor is crucial to ensure enhanced travel time, reliability and economic vitality.

Background
The process initially began with an effort by the West Sound Alliance, which produced a report on Strategic Corridor Investments. Following the report, the Washington State Legislature funded the SR 305/ Winslow Ferry to Hostmark St. – Safety Improvements project. The 2015 Connecting Washington transportation package included $36.8 million for investments in the corridor. Kitsap Transit working with community partners followed with a study that has established a vision and goals for this corridor.

Timeline

Preliminary design - winter 2019
Construction - (Johnson Road roundabout) fall 2020
Project completion - 2023