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Timeline
Spring 2022-Spring 2025
Status
In progress
Purpose
SR 516 through Covington is a heavily traveled road that serves as the community's main commercial route. As the area grows, the demand on the roadway is expected to increase. WSDOT worked with the city of Covington to consider intersection control options for the five intersections along with multimodal access, safety, environmental and performance improvements for SR 516 between Covington Way Southeast and 168th Place Southeast. The study recommended a series of five roundabouts. Further analysis is required to identify the active transportation facilities and transportation systems management and operation improvements.
SR 516 serves as the primary east-west roadway through Covington, providing connections to the nearby communities of Kent and Maple Valley, and serves as the city’s primary commercial corridor. Along the study corridor there is a full access interchange to SR 18, which provides regional access to and from Covington.
Near the SR 18 interchange, adjacent commercial, retail, and residential destinations draw significant travel demand, and a series of closely spaced intersections impact corridor operations and multimodal safety and limits access to adjoining land uses.
The city of Covington’s Comprehensive Plan projects that if operational improvements aren't made, most major intersections through the study area will experience steadily decreasing levels of service by 2035.
This study analyzed the following key intersections for deficiencies and developed intersection control options to improve operations, safety performance and accessibility for all corridor users.
SR 516 at Covington Way
This intersection sits in central Covington and is the western limits of the SR 516 – Covington Targeted Study.
164th Avenue Southeast and the SR 18/SR 516 interchange (WB ramps)
The following image shows SR 516 at the intersection of 164th Avenue Southeast and the SR 18 interchange westbound on- and off-ramps to SR 516 in Covington.
SR 516/SR 18 interchange – SR 18 eastbound on- and off-ramps
The image below shows the SR 18 on- and off-ramps in central Covington.
168th Place Southeast
The image below shows 167th Place and 168th Place Southeast in central Covington. The entrance to the Fred Meyer and Costco shopping complex is in lower segment of this intersection.
This study is in concert with a city of Covington proposed improvements to a longer stretch of SR 516 through the city.
Fall 2022 - Winter 2023
Data collection and community engagement.
Spring 2023 - Fall 2024
Develop and evaluate concepts. Continue community engagement.
Fall 2024
Select recommended concept. Continue community engagement.
Winter 2024 - Summer 2024
Summarize findings in a final report.
This study is funded through State Planning funds. The total budget for this study is $78,000.
The funding available is only for this preliminary planning study focused on intersection controls. There is no funding for any further study, design or construction and any recommending improvement concepts will need to seek funding for implementation.
The study developed a recommendation for the intersection control of five intersections on SR 516 from Covington Way Southeast to 169th Place Southeast. The study recommends a series of five roundabouts.
The SR 516 Covington Corridor Study recommendation: It includes five roundabouts at key intersections between Covington Way Southeast and 169th Place Southeast
Christina Strand, WSDOT King Area Traffic Engineer
