An important step in the design process for the roundabout at Sharpes Corner has been finished and the Washington State Department of Transportation wants to update drivers and local residents on the plan at an open house.

The open house will offer the community an opportunity to view a computer-generated picture of the roundabout for the first time and to talk with engineers and traffic experts.

The open house is set for Thursday, Sept. 25 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anacortes Middle School Library, 2200 M Ave., Anacortes.

Sharpes Corner is the intersection of SR 20 and the SR 20 spur. An average of 30,000 drivers use the intersection daily, traveling to and from Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Anacortes, San Juan Island ferries and more.

WSDOT sought public input on six designs in 2007 at the beginning of the planning phase and used that information, along with traffic and collision data and expert analysis, to narrow the choices down to one: a modified roundabout.

Dave Chesson, WSDOT spokesman, said the intersection experiences heavy congestion and severe backups and collisions.

“Conditions are expected to worsen as population and traffic increase in the area,” he said.

Collision data for a three-year period from 2004 to 2006 shows there were 80 collisions involving 152 vehicles, with 51 people injured.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2011 and be completed by 2012.

For those unable to attend the open house, more information about the project is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr20/sharpescornerinterchange, or by contacting Dave Chesson at chessod@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-757-5970.