Project Facts
- An average of 13,000 drivers travel on SR 203 every day.
- In the past five years, there have been 512 collisions, six of which were fatal.
- The most common collision on this stretch of SR 203 occurred when vehicles veered off the roadway.
July 2008
- We are expanding this project to improve an additional 18 miles of SR 203.
- We expect to begin construction in 2009.
- Keep up-to-date with regular e-mail updates about this and other eastside projects.
Using 2005 Transportation Partnership Package funds, we will enhance safety along 18 miles of SR 203 by:
- Installing rumble strips and guardrails to reduce the number and severity of run-off-the-road collisions regularly occuring in this area.
Why is WSDOT
increasing safety on SR 203?
There have been a number of severe collisions on SR 203, particularly within the first four miles. In 2002, there were four fatal collisions that prompted WSDOT to seek funding from the legislature to increase safety at this location. In 2005, the Transportation Partnership Package provided $3.5 million to address safety issues.
Engineers examined improvement options and determined a roundabout at the NE Tolt Hill Road intersection would provide the greatest safety benefit. As the project moved through early design stages, engineers encountered environmental constraints that would greatly increase the cost of building a roundabout or a signal at the intersection.
The project team went back to the drawing board and investigated alternate solutions. Looking at the corridor as a whole, they decided to combine the money with another project that would improve a different area of the SR 203 corridor. Engineers will now focus on preventing run-off-the-road collisions along 18 miles of SR 203 in King County.
The End Result
When crews are done installing rumble strips and guardrails along 18 miles of SR 203, the road will be safer with a significant reduction in severe, run-off-the-road collisions.
Project Benefits
Safety - Rumble strips alert drivers that they are leaving their lane of travel by creating a loud noise and vibrations when the wheels of the car touch the rumble strips. Guardrails will prevent vehicles from striking fixed objects and rolling over into ditches. These improvements combined will reduce run-off-the-road collisions, making the highway safer.
What is the project timeline?
Once we finish designing the project, we will advertise for bids from private contractors to build this project. We expect to start construction in 2009.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Contact Hung Huynh, WSDOT Asst. Project Engineer, if you have questions or want more information about this project:
Hung Huynh
WSDOT Design Engineer
15700 Dayton Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: 206-440-4311, or
E-mail: huynhh@wsdot.wa.gov
Environmental Protection
WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from our projects. During project design, WSDOT will work to reduce the impacts to wetlands, creeks and streams in the project area. A detailed analysis of the project's environmental impacts will be completed and, if necessary an appropriate plan for mitigation of impacts will be developed and documented as part of the Environmental Documentation and Permitting process.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
There are a significant number of accidents on this highway. The purpose of this project is to increase safety by reducing the number of severe, run-off-the-road collisions.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
To learn more about Section 106 Tribal Consultation (also called government-to-government tribal consultation process) please visit WSDOT's Tribal Liaison page, where you'll find the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and WSDOT's Tribal Consultation Policy (Adopted by the Transportation Commission on February 19, 2003).
Financial Information
- 2005 Gas Tax - $3.5 million
- Total Funding From All Sources - $3.5 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Hung Huynh
WSDOT Project Engineer
15700 Dayton Ave. N
PO Box 330310
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: (206) 440-4311
E-mail: HuynhH@wsdot.wa.gov
Myly Posse
WSDOT Communications
15700 Dayton Avenue N.
PO Box 330310
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: (206) 440-4700
E-mail: PosseM@wsdot.wa.gov
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