Project overview
SR 21 from SR 20 to the US-Canada Border – milepost 162.5 to 191.5 – has been identified as needing the asphalt concrete pavement rehabilitated to preserve the roadway structure and the public investment in highways. The Complete Streets screening process found this project required implementation of the Complete Streets requirement for the full length of the project corridor.
What to expect
These projects are currently in the pre-design phase to identify active transportation gaps and begin the design of any necessary Complete Streets strategies to implement as part of a chip seal project for this corridor. The addition of Complete Streets strategies to the chip seal project aims to address identified active transportation gaps along and across the project corridors within population centers.
Pre-design is expected to continue through Spring 2026, after which full design will occur through late 2026. These projects will be delivered using the Design-Bid-Build process, with construction of any identified needed strategies anticipated to begin in the 2027 construction season. This schedule is preliminary and may change depending on the results of the pre-design phase.
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
The pre-design phase of the project will include opportunities for the public to participate in this process. An online survey for the projects is anticipated for January 2026. More information about future opportunities will be provided in this section of the webpage as details become available. For more details on Complete Streets, refer to the FAQs under the Related Links tab.
Project map location for SR 21 - SR 20 to Canada – Chip Seal & Complete Streets
The State Route (SR) 21 corridor is programmed as two separate projects consisting of two connected segments. However, this webpage will serve as the project hub for both, providing updates and information for each project in one location. The chip seal project limits extend from the SR 21 and SR 20 intersection in Pine Grove north to Curlew Lake State Park, and from Curlew Lake State Park north to the Canadian border. When viewed as a whole, the combined project area is continuous along SR 21 with no roadway gaps. Both segments have been identified as needing chip seal pavement repair to preserve the roadway structure and protect the public investment in the highway system. A chip seal treatment involves applying a liquid asphalt binder to the existing pavement surface, adding a layer of small stones or chips, and compacting them to extend the life of the roadway.
In 2022, Move Ahead Washington was passed by the Washington State Legislature, which included a requirement for WSDOT to incorporate principles of Complete Streets into transportation projects in population centers with an estimated budget greater than $500,000 and starting design on or after July 1, 2022 (later revised to greater than $1,000,000 after August 1, 2025). To aid in the implementation of this requirement, WSDOT established a Complete Streets process that first screens all programmed projects for Complete Streets applicability and subsequently provides a planning and conceptual design phase – known as pre-design – and target outcomes for projects that are required to incorporate Complete Streets. More information about the Complete Streets requirement and WSDOT’s implementation process is available on WSDOT’s Complete Streets page.
The Complete Streets screening process found that both chip seal project segments along SR 21 are subject to the Complete Streets requirement. The chip seal project segments include the SR 21 and SR 20 intersection in Pine Grove to Curlew Lake State Park, and from Curlew Lake State Park to the Canadian border. Based on a preliminary assessment of the project corridors, Complete Streets improvements are expected to be investigated within the following Census Designated Places (CDPs):
- Pine Grove - SR 20 to Old Kettle Falls Road
- Curlew- Ferry County Rail Trail crossing to Vulcan Mountain Road
- Danville – SR 21 / Wall Street intersection
The project will also review Ferry County Rail Trail crossings of SR 21 to see if they also require Complete Streets improvements.
These extents may be adjusted as the project progresses. A pre-design phase has been initiated to conduct this analysis and identify which, if any, Complete Streets improvements are needed along and across the corridor. The pre-design phase includes the following tasks:
- Coordination with local and regional jurisdictions
- Identification of Complete Streets gaps and needs
- Community engagement
- Development and selection of preferred Complete Streets alternatives
- 30% design of preferred alternatives
- Documentation