New roundabout on Bay Street aimed for completion at the end of this year

Peiyu Lin, Kitsap Sun
·1 min read
3
Design visualization of a roundabout at Bethel Avenue and Bay Street that will replace an existing traffic signal that has reached the end of its usful life.
Design visualization of a roundabout at Bethel Avenue and Bay Street that will replace an existing traffic signal that has reached the end of its usful life.

PORT ORCHARD — Drivers passing downtown Port Orchard may need to tolerate the inconvenience of waiting at a one-way alternating traffic near the Bethel Avenue, Bay Street and Maple Avenue intersection until November, according to WSDOT.

Since the existing traffic signal at the intersection is determined to be obsolete and has reached the end of its useful life, the Washington State Department of Transportation is replacing it with a new modern single-lane roundabout. The total project costs about $3.2 million.

More: WSDOT plans new roundabout at Bethel Avenue and Bay Street in Port Orchard

WSDOT is building a new single-lane roundabout to replace an existing traffic signal at the intersection of Bay Street, Bethel Avenue and Maple Avenue. The construction starts in July and is expected to complete at the end of this year.
WSDOT is building a new single-lane roundabout to replace an existing traffic signal at the intersection of Bay Street, Bethel Avenue and Maple Avenue. The construction starts in July and is expected to complete at the end of this year.

The construction has been causing drivers to wait several minutes in line to pass the construction site as a one-way traffic line and temporary traffic signals are set to get people moving.

As the roundabout is being built, drivers may need to go through the one-way traffic until November. If the weather cooperates, WSDOT expects construction to be completed at the end of this year, said Doug Adamson, the Communications Consultant at WSDOT.

Adamson said WSDOT has made changes to help improve traffic flow through the intersection and the organization works hard to balance the needs of keeping people moving and the needs of construction.

"We appreciate travelers and businesses concern about construction-related congestion," Adamson said. "We recognize construction-related congestion is at the very least inconvenient. At the same time, a new roundabout will have a number of long-term benefits for all users of the roadway."

A temporary bicycle and pedestrian detour are also set around the intersection and modified access to nearby businesses, which remains open, is provided. Nighttime travelers may also encounter occasional overnight total closures of the intersection, according to WSDOT.

During construction, people who walk, ride and roll will see a temporary detour around the work zone at the intersection of Bethel Road, Bay Street and Maple Avenue.
During construction, people who walk, ride and roll will see a temporary detour around the work zone at the intersection of Bethel Road, Bay Street and Maple Avenue.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Construction on roundabout on Bay Street may complete by end of year