US 2 and SR 21 - Wilbur – Paving & Complete Streets

Project overview

This project will rehabilitate the asphalt for both US 2 and SR 21 within the town limits of Wilbur in Lincoln County to preserve the roadway structure and the public investment in highways. Along with repaving the roadway, the Complete Streets screening process found this project is subject to WSDOT’s Complete Streets requirement to implement elements of Complete Streets for US 2 and SR 21 in the Town of Wilbur.

Timeline

Spring 2025 - Summer 2027

Project status

Pre-construction

Funding

$4.6 Million

Project hotline

509-503-8184

What to expect

This project is in the final stages of pre-design, where Complete Streets improvements are being identified and advanced for inclusion in the corridor paving project. The addition of Complete Streets strategies to the paving project aims to improve the active transportation environment along and across the project corridors.

The full design is expected to start in July 2026 and continue through the end of 2026. This project will be delivered using the Design-Bid-Build process, with construction anticipated to begin in the summer of 2027. This schedule is preliminary and may change depending on the results of the pre-design phase.

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Zoomed out map view locating the Wilbur project limits.

US 2 and State Route (SR) 21 within the Town of Wilbur have been identified as needing their asphalt concrete pavement rehabilitated to preserve the roadway structure and the public investment in highways. The original scope of this project involved rehabilitating the existing pavement with a hot mix asphalt pavement and upgrading basic safety features within the project limits to maintain safe highway operations.

In 2022, the Washington State Legislature added a Complete Streets requirement in RCW 47.04.035, which instructs WSDOT to incorporate principles of Complete Streets into transportation projects with an estimated budget greater than $500,000 and starting design on or after July 1, 2022 (increased to $1 million for projects beginning design on or 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 the Wilbur paving project for US 2 and SR 21 to require implementation of the Complete Streets requirement. Complete Streets has been analyzed during the pre-design phase on US 2 from NW Portland St to the Dollar General Store and from US 2 to SW Prince St on SR 21. The pre-design phase included the following tasks:

Coordination with local and regional jurisdictions
Identification of Complete Streets opportunities
Community engagement
Development and prioritization of Complete Streets alternatives
30% design of prioritized alternatives
Documentation&

Community engagement

The WSDOT project team enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the Wilbur community in several ways since the pre-design began in early 2025:

Wilbur Wild Goose Bill Days booth
Community-wide project introduction mailer
Opportunities and preferences online survey
Public workshop
Project update mailer
Prioritization online survey

These opportunities focused on understanding walking, biking, and rolling preferences and travel patterns, which helped WSDOT in developing Complete Streets strategies along and across US 2 and SR 21 in Wilbur and in understanding community priorities.

Complete Streets opportunities analysis

Analysis of collected traffic counts posted speed limits and observed travel speeds, number of lanes, and existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities is used to calculate the Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) rating for bicycles and pedestrians. LTS is a measurement of how comfortable a roadway is for bicyclists and pedestrians, where LTS 1 is comfortable for everyone and LTS 4 is only comfortable for a very small portion of the population. WSDOT’s standards require Complete Streets projects to develop strategies that achieve LTS of 1 or 2 for both bicycles and pedestrians. LTS at WSDOT currently applies only to along a roadway. The project team identified potential crossing locations for modifications based on safety characteristics, land uses, ability to implement, socio-economic and demographics, and opportunities identified by the community.

The following maps show the existing bicycle and pedestrian LTS ratings for the project corridors.

A map of the Town of Wilbur, highlighting the areas around US Highway 2 and State Route 21. The map features a light yellow background that outlines the major streets, secondary roads, and landmarks. Main roads are indicated with broader lines, while local roadways are thinner. The map includes a railroad depicted with a gray line and features a few notable locations such as the Dollar General and school fields. — Map 1: Existing Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress

A map of the Town of Wilbur, showing the layout of streets and pedestrian conditions along US 2 and SR 21. The map includes various colored lines and symbols indicating different types of roadways and pedestrian levels of service (LTS). A railroad is marked on the map, represented by a black line. Local roadways are depicted with thin lines, while state routes are bolder. The pedestrian levels vary from very low (LTS 1, in blue) to high (LTS 4, in red). — Map 2: Existing Pedestrian Level of Traffic Stress

The following map shows the existing posted speed limits for the project corridors.

A map of the Town of Wilbur, located at the intersection of US 2 and State Route 21. The map is oriented with the north at the top, indicated by a small arrow. It features a light yellow background representing the town area, with various streets depicted in thin black lines. Main roads are labeled, including US 2 and SR 21, which are highlighted in thicker lines—US 2 in red and SR 21 in yellow. Several local streets are shown, including Cliff Ave, Front Ave, and Division St. — Map 3: Existing Posted Speed Limits

Pre-design was started in early 2025 and will continue through the end of the year. Construction is anticipated for the summer of 2027.

Milestone

February 2025

Pre-design phase initiated.

May 5, 2025

Community wide online survey went live

May 17, 2025

Wild Goose Bill Days Booth

May 20, 2025

Public Workshop held at Wilbur Community Center

June 3, 2025

Online survey closed

September 12, 2025

Second community wide online survey went live

September 26, 2025

Second online survey closed

WSDOT Eastern Region is advancing several Complete Streets treatments into design along US 2 and SR 21, including key intersections in Wilbur and will ultimately be built as part of this project. These treatments aim to increase visibility, comfort, and connectivity for active transportation users, including along school routes. The map below shows the planned treatments.

A map depicting the proposed changes to US 2 and SR 21 in the Town of Wilbur. It includes key features such as main roadways, crosswalks, parking improvements, and shared use paths. The map is oriented with north at the top, marked by a triangle. Roads are shown in various colors to indicate different project extents and types of improvements. The map identifies areas for reduced speed limits of 25 mph, crosswalk markings, and modifications to existing parking stalls to include protected bike lanes.

One of the main treatments on US 2 will be to reconfigure the angled parking between Alder St and Anne St and add concrete parking stops to protect a new bike lane. This layout modification will also help increase sight distance at the cross streets, including for the existing bulb-outs which will increase pedestrian visibility. The following images illustrate what this restriping and added parking stops might look like.

An urban street scene from an elevated angle. The road is paved with asphalt, featuring a central yellow line that divides the lanes. There are several parking spaces on either side of the road, most of which appear empty. The left side showcases a mixture of commercial buildings with brick exteriors, a small tree, and a sign for an establishment. On the right side, a few more buildings are present, including one with a green sloped roof. The sidewalks are made of concrete. — Wilbur US 2 existing conditions

An aerial view of an intersection in an urban area. The focus is on a wide street with double yellow lines running through its center. The road is flanked by various buildings, including a brick structure with multiple windows and another building with a galvanized metal roof. There are marked parking spaces along the sides of the street, with several cars parked in them. Small trees line the sidewalks, adding greenery to the scene. A cyclist is seen riding along the sidewalk, and a pedestrian is walking. — Wilbur US 2 proposed option

In addition, paving will occur across the full project limits, and sidewalks along US 2 and SR 21 with significant cracking, upheaval, or deterioration will also be replaced. The project will also include the rebuilding and adding of several ADA ramps.

More detailed information on the treatments being advanced and other strategies developed by the project are available below.

Advancing Complete Streets Treatments Details

The following table provides more details about the treatments being advanced into the design phase illustrated in the map.

State Route	Location	Intersection/Crossing Treatments
2	Richmond Street to Raymond Street	Add curb and sidewalk on north side
2/21	Main intersection	Add marked crossing on north leg
2	West Street to Lincoln Street	Add sidewalk on south side
2	Lincoln Street	Add island bulb-outs to east side. Add ADA ramps and driveway definition.
2	Alder Street	Add island bulb-outs to west side and crosswalk markings on the north, west and south legs.
2	Brace Street	Add crosswalk markings on the south, east, and north legs. Add sidewalk stub and add ADA ramps on northeast corner with curb definition.
2	West Street to Brace Street	Existing head-in-angled parking will be modified and parking protected bike lanes with wheel stops will be added. Where parallel parking is located a vertical element will be added between parking and bike lane.
2	Bell Street	Add marked crossing on south leg.
2	Spokane Street	Add marked crossing on south leg
2	Brace Street to Spokane Street	Add shared use path on south side.

A roadway with concrete curb extensions (bulb-outs) separated by flexible white bollards narrows the travel lane near a marked crosswalk. A pedestrian is crossing the street in the background, with a bike lane and a few vehicles visible farther down the road. — *Image 2: Example image of an island bulb-out.*

Other Strategies Developed: Other strategies were developed and evaluated during the planning process but cannot be implemented as part of this project due to current funding limitations. The timing of their future design and implementation is uncertain and will depend on the availability of additional funding and coordination with future work in Wilbur. These “deferred” strategies are documented to provide a foundation for future action, guide subsequent planning and development efforts, and assist local and regional partners in pursuing funding opportunities to bring these improvements to fruition.

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Complete Streets FAQ

What are Complete Streets?: This new design approach serves all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of travel. It focuses on planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining a transportation system that provides comfortable and convenient access to destinations for everyone. Accessibility is especially important for people who walk, bike, or roll, with "rolling" referring to mobility by wheelchair or other assistive devices. This approach aims to create a transportation system that works for everyone, strengthens communities, expands options for non-drivers, and makes travel more reliable. It also includes ensuring ADA-compliant sidewalks and crosswalks, especially at high-traffic intersections. Safety and community collaboration are the most important aspects of this approach. For more information visit WSDOT’s Complete Streets website.

Why is WSDOT using funds towards improvements for bicycles and pedestrians? : In 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed Move Ahead Washington, requiring WSDOT to incorporate Complete Streets principles into transportation projects in population centers with an estimated budget over $500,000 and starting design on or after July 1, 2022. WSDOT adopted these principles to enhance access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users, in projects constructed on state highways consistent with RCW 47.04.035. This approach aims to improve accessibility not only for those who choose to walk and bike for leisure and recreation but for those who rely on these modes as their primary means of transportation.

Why is WSDOT spending money on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure if I don’t see people walking or biking? : By law, it is WSDOT’s responsibility to invest in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to create more accessible and comfortable environments for all mode users. A lack of people currently walking and biking can often be traced to the existing environment feeling uncomfortable and exposed. When more dedicated and comfortable options are available, more people are likely to walk or bike. Studies show that providing these facilities encourages more people to choose active transportation, reducing traffic congestion, improving public health, and enhancing community well-being.

Will any car lanes be removed to make room for bicycle or pedestrian improvements?: In some cases, car lanes may be reconfigured or reduced to accommodate other modes of transportation, especially if the goal is to enhance safety and improve traffic flow for all users. However, each project location is unique requiring a careful study and alternative solutions are considered.

Important Bike Lane Terminologies

Conventional Bike Lane: Also referred to as a “traditional” bike lane or simply a “bike lane”, this type consists of a designated lane on the roadway exclusively for cyclists, separating bicycles from vehicles with a painted line accompanied by symbols and signage. Conventional bike lanes provide increased comfort for cyclists on lower-traveled, lower-speed roadways but become less comfortable on busier and higher-speed roadways.

Buffered Bike Lane: A bike lane that includes a painted buffer zone between the bike lane and motor vehicle lanes. The buffer adds extra space, increasing comfort by providing additional separation between cyclists and motor vehicles.

Separated Bike Lanes (Protected Bike Lanes): Bike lanes that are physically separated from motor vehicle traffic by barriers such as plastic tube markers, curbs, planters, or even parked cars. These lanes offer a higher level of comfort for cyclists by providing a physical barrier between them and motorized traffic.

Shared Use Path: A paved pathway designed for both pedestrians and cyclists, usually wider than a standard sidewalk (10 feet at minimum). Shared use paths are often found in parks, along rivers, or parallel to roadways, providing a comfortable off-street option for non-motorized travel completely separated from motor vehicles.

US 2 and SR 21 - Wilbur – Paving & Complete Streets

Project overview

What to expect

Community engagement

Complete Streets opportunities analysis

Complete Streets FAQ

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