SR 20 - Quiet Cove Road Vicinity to SR 20 Spur

Overview
We will improve safety and traffic flow south of Anacortes along State Route 20, between Meadow Creek (by the Shrimp Shack) and the Miller Road/ Gibralter Road intersection by widening, realigning, closing an intersection, and adding turn lanes.

Why is WSDOT making safety improvements to State Route 20?
A significant number of collisions have occurred on certain sections of SR 20 between Meadow Creek and Sharpes Corner. By making safety improvements we will reduce the number of collisions and imrove traffic flow.

The End Result
When construction is complete, traffic lanes and shoulders will be wider; hills and sharpe curves that limit sight distance will be corrected, allowing drivers to see further; an intersection with sharp angles will be closed; and new left turn lanes will help prevent rear-end collisions. We will increase safety and reduce collisions.
  
Stage 1:  We started stage 1 construction in summer 2007 and completed it in summer 2008. We have:

• Widened SR 20 from near Meadow Creek to South Lake Campbell Road to 12 foot lanes and 4 foot shoulders,
• Closed the intersection of SR 20 at Deception Road,
• Built left turn lanes at the Lunz Road intersection,
• Replaced the culvert at Meadow Creek with a bridge to support wider lanes and improve fish passage.

Stage 2:  We started stage 2 construction in summer 2008. We will:

• Widen SR 20 between South Lake Campbell Road and the Miller/Gibraltar Road intersection to 12 foot lanes and 4 foot shoulders,
• Limit traffic at the northern intersection of Lunz Road to right turns from Highway 20,
• Provide a left turn lane at the Almida Vista Road intersection for vehicles heading westbound on SR 20,
• Provide a left turn lane at the northern intersection of Miller Road for vehicles heading eastbound on SR 20,
• Limit the southern intersection of Miller Road to right turns out of Miller Road to SR 20.

Project Benefits

• Safety - We are closing one intersection and building new left turn lanes to improve motorist safety.  
• Collisions - Building new left turn lanes and improving motorist's sight distance will help prevent rear-end collisions.  
• Environmental - The new bridge over Meadow Creek will improve fish passage by returning the stream to its natural width.

What is the project timeline?

• Fall 2009 - Complete construction Stage 2
• Summer 2008 - Completed construction on stage 1.
• We opened the new bridge at Meadow Creek to traffic on June 1, 2008.
• Summer 2008 - Began Construction Stage 2
• May 5, 2008 - WSDOT awarded Scarsella Brothers, Inc. of Kent the contract for stage 2 of the project.
• Oct. 18, 2007 - Crews switch drivers to the temporary alignment by the Shrimp Shack (Lunz Road) so they can build a bridge to replace the culvert.
• July 23, 2007 - Begin construction Stage 1.
• June 25, 2007 - Project awarded to Marshbank Construction for stage 1
• May 7, 2007 - We advertised Stage 1 to contractors.
• Spring 2006 - Started buying necessary property.

Financial Information
The project was divided into two stages due to budget shortfalls. WSDOT picked the most critical areas to improve first, to allow for construction to begin sooner. Now the project is fully funded.

This project is funded through the following fund sources:

• 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $22.8 million 
• Existing Funds - $9.7 million 
• Total Funding Available From All Sources - $32.5 million 

For project schedule and updates, please see the Quarterly Project Report.

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Communications Dave Chesson
WSDOT Mt. Baker Headquarters
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233-3415
Phone: 360-757-5970
E-mail: chessod@wsdot.wa.gov 

Project Construction Engineer Dave Crisman
1109 E. Hickox Road
Mount Vernon, WA 98274
Phone: 360-848-7103
E-mail: crismad@wsdot.wa.gov  

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