The public will get a chance to weigh in on two road projects that are being proposed to lessen congestion at a pair of well-traveled Oak Harbor intersections.
Island County Public Works will be hosting an open house from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the Baker Room of the CPO Club at 1080 Ault Field Road in Oak Harbor.
The meeting will go over proposals for a traffic signal to be installed at the intersection of Swantown and Heller roads and Fireside Lane, and a roundabout to be placed at the intersection of Heller, Ault Field and Clover Valley roads.
The traffic signal project is scheduled to start in 2018 and the roundabout in 2020 — each in part prompted by the increase in personnel projected for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
“They’re both primarily congestion related and project for that to get more over time,” said Connie Bowers, assistant county engineer.
The traffic signal work also is intended to improve safety and provide a permanent fix to an interim revision made years ago, Bowers said.
During peak traffic periods, vehicles attempting to turn left from Heller Road onto Swantown Road are experiencing long delays.
“I’d welcome a light there,” said Robert Coleman, who lives near the intersection.
“In the evening, that intersection is downright scary because you’re not sure if the cross traffic is turning and sometimes it’s not even being indicated by other drivers. You have to use your judgment because you can’t tell exactly in which lane other drivers are in and how fast they are going and if there is a car coming out of the Fireside neighborhood, you don’t know if they’ll wait their turn or whether they are letting you go.”
The project, covered mostly by federal funds, also will require using part of the right of way for pedestrian facilities, Bowers said.
There will be four cross walks.
The projected roundabout near the military base is expected to improve traffic flow at the intersection during peak traffic periods, particularly after more sailors arrive at the naval air station in the coming years.
Current issues revolve around congestion during peak traffic times at the stop sign at Clover Valley Road.
The roundabout project is being covered by mostly local funds, Bowers said.
Neither project is related to any accident history, she said.
Conceptual drawings will be on display at the open house to give guests a better idea of what the projects will look like. Representatives from the design engineering firm and Island County will be available for questions.
n For those unable to attend the meeting, comments may be submitted to Island County’s Pete Seybert at petes@co.island.wa.us or 360-679-7331.
