Study News

WSDOT has completed the SR 20 Discovery Road and Kearney Street Intersection Roundabouts Pre-Design Study and the report (pdf 4.1 mb) is now available for viewing.

Background

The existing signal systems on SR 20 at the Mill Road (Discovery Road) and Kearney Street intersections in Port Townsend have reached the end of their useful life. They require frequent and extensive maintenance to keep them operational, and the signal heads are suspended on span wire instead of the preferred mast arms. WSDOT has proposed replacing the outdated signals at both locations with compact roundabouts that fit within the intersection footprint for improved mobility, safety, and reduced maintenance costs to taxpayers year after year.

Roundabout Benefits

Studies show that roundabouts are safer than traditional traffic signals or stop sign-controlled intersections. They accommodate vehicles of various sizes, including emergency vehicles, buses, bicycles, semi-trucks with trailers, and farm and logging equipment, while improving pedestrian access. Roundabouts reduced injury crashes by nearly 75 percent at intersections where stop signs or signals were previously used for traffic control, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Stakeholders

City of Port Townsend, East Jefferson Fire Rescue, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Jefferson County, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson Transit, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, Port of Port Townsend, Port Townsend Paper Corporation, Port Townsend School District, and various WSDOT offices.

Compact Roundabout Cost Estimate

• SR 20 at Discovery Road/Mill Road cost estimate:  $970,000
• SR 20 at Kearney Street cost estimate:  $950,000
• All costs are rough estimates and subject to changes based on final design factors and project award.

Timeline

WSDOT will publish a report at the conclusion of this pre-design study that will aid in the upcoming project design work at these locations. 

• Pre-design Study - Spring to Fall of 2020
• Project Design - Spring 2021
• Project Construction - Spring 2023

Contact

Dennis Engel, Multimodal Planning Manager
360-357-2651

Debbie Clemen, Study Lead
360-704-3204

Tina Werner, Media Relations
360-704-3270