Project Facts
- We will repave almost one and a half miles of damaged roadway.
- U-turns at SE 176th Street/Carr Road and at S 180th Street will provide drivers with access to businesses on the opposite side of the highway.
- Constructs a raised traffic island to prevent cars from colliding in the center lane. Similar projects have reduced overall accidents by 30 percent.
April 2008
- We awarded the construction contract to Icon Materials. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2008.
- We expect to complete work in fall 2008.
- Project team members distributed a newsletter (128 kb) to local businesses with information about the project.
WSDOT is repaving SR 515 and constructing a raised traffic island and U-turn to replace the existing two way left turn lane. This new road configuration will help prevent collisions by directing cars to turn left at the U-turns rather than from the numerous business driveways.
Why is WSDOT
improving State Route 515 between SE 192nd and Benson Road?
The Collision Data for this section of SR 515 shows a high number of collisions when compared to a highway with similar traffic volumes. WSDOT's priority is safety and we want to reduce the number and severity of collisions at this location.
Drivers making left turn movements from driveways to cross the left center turn lane and merge into traffic cause the majority of the collisions along this State Route. The number of driveways and the close proximity of those driveways create a high number of opportunities for drivers to collide with oncoming traffic and other cars turning into the two-way left center turn lane.
The pavement from SE 192nd street to Benson Road is cracked and rutted and in need of repair.
The End Result
This project proposes to construct a traffic island in the existing two way left turn lane between SE 180th St and SE 176th Street/Carr Road. A U-turn at SE 176th Street (Carr Road) will provide access to driveways on the opposite side of the roadway in conjunction with a U-turn installed at S 180th Street by the King County Fire District. We will also relocate and re-time signals to accommodate the U-turn movements. Once complete, drivers turning onto SR 515 will only need to concentrate on cars coming from one direction.
We will repave the highway from SE 192nd Street to Benson Road giving travelers a smoother and safer drive with reduced congestion.
Project Benefits
• Safety: Installing a center median will reduce the number of conflict points that exist between vehicles.
• Congestion Relief: Reducing the number of collisions along this highway will help keep traffic flowing.
• Environment: Part of public safety is protecting the environment. The proposed design includes a biological assessment that describes the existing environmental conditions of the area.
What is the project timeline?
Crews were preparing to begin construction this summer but encountered some utility conflicts that required an extensive redesign of the project plans. Construction is now scheduled to begin in spring 2008 and be complete by summer 2008.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Public participation opportunities will continue to be presented through the design process, including public meetings. Contact the Project Engineer Paul Johnson at (205) 768-5680 , E-mail: johnspa@wsdot.wa.gov for more details on project involvement.
Environmental Protection
In our continuing efforts to protect the environment WSDOT will conduct a biological assessment to ensure there will be no adverse affects on the environment from this project.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
During construction WSDOT will maintain safety as a top priority by implementing a specific set of plans for traffic control. This includes: location for traffic control signs, specific traffic control set ups for lane closures, and informational signs so the public will know how and when traffic will be affected.
WSDOT is increasing safety for everyone that uses the road. A smooth pavement will make controlling vehicles easier while providing a more consistent driving surface.
The proposed traffic island will better separate opposing traffic and prevent vehicles from colliding in the left center turn lane by constructing a traffic island. Similar projects such as the raised traffic island installed by the city of Kent near Washington Boulevard (SR 181) and SR 516 have decreased collisions by 30 percent.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
WSDOT assesses the need for Tribal consultation for each project. At this time we are still in the process of determining the appropriate level of Tribal consultation.
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.
Financial Information
The project is funded by the following sources:
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $1.3 million
- Existing Funds - $1.6 million
- Total Funding from all Sources - $2.9 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Engineer: John Lefotu
WSDOT Design Office
6431 Corson Ave. S
Seattle, WA 98108
Phone: 206.768.5647
E-mail:LefotuJ@wsdot.wa.gov
Communications: Lauren Penning
15700 Dayton Avenue North
PO Box 330310 MS: 103
Seattle, WA 98133-9710
Phone: 206.440.4473
E-mail: pennila@wsdot.wa.gov
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