WSDOT has completed the SR 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge to SR 3 Congestion Study and the report is now available for viewing. 

Study Report

Executive Summary (pdf 2.3 mb)

Study Report (pdf 5 mb)

Study Purpose

WSDOT examined traffic congestion along State Route 16 between the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Gorst, as well as portions of SR 3 and SR 304 in Pierce and Kitsap counties. 

The End Result 

The study report concluded with recommended near-, mid- and long-term strategies. Highlights of these recommendations include:

• Operational, channelization, and signal/ITS improvements at key local and state locations
• Capacity improvements at key local and state facilities by widening, roundabout, or signal installations
• Improving pedestrian and bicycle facilities by the extension of the Cushman Trail, new facilities between Bremerton and Port Orchard, and additions or enhancements to bike lanes along the corridor
• SR 3 and SR 16 capacity improvements by peak-use shoulder lanes and widening
• SR 304/Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton area improvements at Farragut Avenue and Charleston Beach Road
• SR 3/SR 16 interchange access control, intersection improvements, and grade separation
• Tremont Street and Sedgwick Road interchange capacity improvements at key intersections
• SR 302 and Borgen Boulevard Interchange capacity, operational, and queue storage improvements
• Olympic Drive, Wollochet Drive, and Hunt Street crossing operational and capacity improvements

Corridor-wide recommendations include:

• Travel Demand Management strategies
• Increased coordination of incident response
• Plans for addressing resiliency and climate change
• Additional park and ride capacity and coordination between agencies

Funding

The SR 16, Tacoma Narrows Bridge to SR 3, Congestion Study was funded by Connecting Washington, a funding package passed by the Washington Legislature in 2015.

Timeline

November - December 2016: Define project vision and goals

January - April 2017: Understand existing conditions and corridor needs, public opinion survey

May - September 2017: Develop and model strategies to improve travel

October - December 2017: Gather public input on strategies, evaluate strategies

January - May 2018: Develop final recommendations and share final recommendations with members of the public

June - December 2018: Community engagement and review of recommended strategies, write study report

January 2019: Finalize and publish study report

Contact

Dennis Engel, Multimodal Planning Manager
360-357-2651