See larger map.
Aerial photo of project vicinity.
See larger map.
Project Facts
- The existing two way left turn lane will be extended southward from Romance Hill Road to the intersection of SR 106 (South Shore Road).
- Consolidation and elimination of driveways will improve safety along the corridor.
- Pedestrian and bicycle friendly facilities will be provided.
October 2008
Additional right-of-way is needed for this project.
When the project was established by the Legislature it did not include funding for right-of-way acquisition. Funding for right-of-way acquisition will need to come from the allocated construction funding for the project. This requires the limits of the project be reduced.
The northern project limit will be moved from M.P. 27.98 (at McDonald's) to M.P. 26.34 (N.E. Belfair St.). The reduced project limits still includes all of the new two-way left turn lane from near Romance Hill Road to the intersection with SR 106.
As a result of limited funding availabilty through June 2011, acquisition of the necessary right-of-way will not be completed until 2012. This causes the advertisement of the construction project to be delayed from November 2010 to July 2012.
The engineering office is currently working on these major design elements:
- Preliminary stormwater design
- Right of way plans
- Fish barrier alternatives
- Access points
- Traffic analysis
- Utilities
Why is WSDOT
widening through Belfair?
This congested segment of SR 3 has been identified as a high accident location for an urban state route, according to Washington State Patrol records. Drivers routinely experience congestion, delay and sudden stops for left turns.
The End Result
The end result will be a wider, safer highway with reduced congestion. Key new features include a full length two-way left turn lane, wider shoulders, new sidewalks and improved lighting.
The treatment of stormwater runoff will help to improve water quality in adjacent streams and the Hood Canal.
Project Benefits
- Mobility. An improved, full-length left turn lane and revised access points will reduce congestion and provide more efficient traffic movement.
- Safety. The project improves bicycle and pedestrian safety adjacent to the roadway, improves lighting throughout the project and reduces conflict points.
- Environment. New stormwater treatment facilities will reduce pollutants in highway run-off before the water enters nearby waters and the Hood Canal.
What is the project timeline?
The project is currently in the design phase. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall 2012 and be completed in the spring of 2014.
Public Involvement
The Washington State Department of Transportation values public input in all phases of the project. Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Contact the project design office for more details on project development.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize the environmental impact of transporation projects. During project design, WSDOT works to reduce the impact to wetlands, creeks and rivers in the project area. A detailed analysis of the environmental impacts will be completed and, if necessary, an appropriate plan for mitigation will be developed and documented as part of the Environmental Documentation and Environmental Permitting processes.
This project provides new stormwater collection and treatment systems.
Please visit the
WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
This project addresses several safety concerns through the corridor, mostly by extending the left-turn lane, reducing the number of vehicle conflict points and moving conflict points away from busy intersections.
The new two-way turn lane increases motorist safety when turning into driveways and businesses. The wider shoulders provide room for emergency stops and allow the postal service to deliver mail out of the way of traffic.
Bicyclists and pedestrians will be able to travel safely through the Belfair community by utilizing wider shoulder and concrete sidewalks.
The number of driveways with access to the highway will be reduced to increase motorist safety. Most of the existing driveways will remain in their present locations. Property owners with more than one driveway with access to the highway will be asked to move or remove their driveway to be in compliance with WAC 468-52-040. Limiting driveways with access to the highway will help reduce accidents. The WSDOT recognizes, however, that providing the ultimate safety solution may not always meet the needs of established businesses that rely on access to the highway, and that compromise may be necessary.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
At WSDOT, we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $16 million
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $16 Million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Bill Elliott, Project Engineer
WSDOT Tumwater Design Office
PO Box 47446
Olympia, WA 98504-7446
Phone: 360-570-6606
E-mail: elliotb@wsdot.wa.gov
back to top