BAINBRIDGE ISLAND – A long-awaited safety improvement project is about to begin just south of the Agate Pass Bridge on Bainbridge Island.
Beginning Monday, Oct. 23, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will build two modern roundabouts on State Route 305.
The new roundabouts are located at the intersections of Northeast West Port Madison Road and Northeast Adas Will Lane. Other safety improvements include creating a right in/right out intersection at Agatewood Road Northeast, to reduce the potential of collisions by eliminating left turns in front of oncoming traffic.
Keeping people moving
The project will be built in several phases. All lanes of SR 305 will remain open during most of the project. Travelers can mostly expect occasional and intermittent short-term traffic stops during off-peak hours.
About the project
The two new single-lane roundabouts replace stop signs at the intersections of Northeast West Port Madison Road/Northeast Seabold Road and Northeast Adas Will Lane.
At Northeast Agatewood Road, travelers headed south on SR 305 will turn right onto the highway and use the new roundabout at Northeast Adas Will Lane to return south.
Roundabouts have a number of safety benefits. Drivers must slow down and yield to traffic before entering a roundabout, which reduces the severity of collisions. They also help promote a continuous flow of traffic because drivers are not required to stop if there is no traffic in a roundabout.
The gentle curve of a roundabout also helps eliminate the possibility of T-bone and head-on collisions, which can cause more serious injuries.
People who walk or roll also will benefit from new sidewalks, crosswalks and dedicated shared use paths as part of this project.
Depending on weather, the project is anticipated to be completed by fall 2024.
Travelers can receive email updates about roadwork on state highways in Kitsap County. Real-time information is available via the WSDOT app and WSDOT Travel Center Map.