PORT TOWNSEND — Contractor crews working for the state Department of Transportation will begin constructing a single-lane roundabout in downtown Port Townsend on Tuesday.
The $2 million roundabout will replace the existing intersection at Sims Way/state Highway 20 and Kearney Street. Jefferson Street between Kearney Street and Decatur Street will also become a shared-use path for people who walk or roll, according to DOT.
The roundabout will be built in two phases. During both phases, traffic heading towards Port Townsend will detour around the project onto Benedict and Washington streets and turn right to return to Highway 20/East Sims Way.
In phase one, traffic heading away from Port Townsend will turn right onto Kearney Street and left onto Jefferson Street and then continue onto Highway 20.
Project phases
In phase two, traffic will simply keep left on Highway 20 to use the southern side of the intersection with Kearney Street as the northern side of the roundabout is constructed.
Travellers heading to the Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry may wish to allow additional time for their trip, DOT said.
The project is expected to be completed late this fall, according to the DOT.
Real-time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.com/traffic or by downloading the WSDOT app.
