Overview
Rice Road: We built a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of US 2 and Rice Road in Sultan. The roundabout is helping to control traffic flow through the intersection and reduce potential conflict points for turning drivers. The intersection saw 20 collisions in a five-year period, including 11 that involved turning vehicles. It was also the site of a fatal collision in February 2010 and serious injury collisions in August 2010 and January 2012.
Following the 2010 fatal collision, we worked with the community and local agencies on US 2 to analyze the intersection and develop potential near- and long-term safety improvements. As part of our review, we installed a temporary traffic camera to monitor the intersection and made several field visits to observe driver behavior. Our review showed that many drivers were making high-risk movements through and near the intersection.
In June 2010 we made interim striping improvements to US 2 near Rice Road. We restriped the two-way left-turn lane on US 2 to provide separate left-turn pockets at Rice Road. We also added skip striping to help guide drivers making left turns from Rice Road to the through lanes on US 2 and refreshed the striping on the westbound US 2 auxiliary lane approaching the intersection. The roundabout is a long-term approach to improve traffic flow and safety at this location.
Fern Bluff Road: We improved sight distance at the intersection by cutting back and clearing vegetation along the highway.
 | Improves Safety
Roundabouts help reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions. Studies have shown that they are safer than traditional stop sign or signal-controlled intersections. Learn more on our common questions page. Removing vegetation helps improve sight distance, which helps reduce the risk of serious collisions.
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Partnerships & Cooperation
Summer 2008: We began designing Fern Bluff Road improvements
June 2010: We began designing Rice Road improvements
Sept. 15, 2010: About 90 people attended an open house for US 2 and Rice Road at Sultan Middle School
Oct. 20, 2010: Open house for US 2 and Fern Bluff improvements
April 2011: We requested qualifications from interested contractors
May 2011: We requested proposals from qualified contractors
May 16, 2011: We set up a mock roundabout so community members could take test drives. See photos from the event or watch a video (YouTube | Windows Media Player)
September 2011: Contract awarded to Lakeside/Tri-State construction, a joint venture
January 2012: We began construction
April 12, 2012: We opened the roundabout to traffic
June 2012: We completed final work on the project.
This project was built using the design-build process.
Funding
The total funding available for this project from all sources is $4.9 million.
- Pre-existing funds - $4.3 million
Note: The 2008 legislature allocated $10 million for safety improvements on US 2 between Monroe and Gold Bar. The first four improvements were completed in 2010.
Contact Us
Janice Fahning
WSDOT Project Engineer
425-225-8725
fahninj@wsdot.wa.gov
Meghan Soptich Pembroke
WSDOT Communications
Phone: (206) 440-4704
E-mail: pembrom@wsdot.wa.gov
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