After months of number crunching, additional surveying and geological study, engineers are ready to unveil the newest roundabout design for Sharpes Corner.

Whidbey Islanders and others can learn how the newest design will help improve traffic flow, reduce collisions and incorporate pedestrian and bicycle improvements at an open house Thursday, Sept. 25, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anacortes Middle School library, 2200 M Ave., Anacortes.

A news release from the Washington Department of Transportation says the new design incorporates most of the details included in the January value engineering study, including a westbound bypass lane and an eastbound tunnel that allows the heaviest traffic coming to and from Anacortes to bypass the roundabout. Traffic going or coming from Whidbey Island will use the roundabout.

The rumors about bicycle and pedestrians improvements being removed from the project are not true.

“We heard from many of you that bike/pedestrian improvements were very important, and we are doing as much as we can to include those improvements in our design,” said Dave Chesson, WSDOT spokesman. “You should know that we don’t have enough money to build a bridge or tunnel specifically for bikes and pedestrians. We have applied for a grant which would help us pay for a trail near the golf course. We feel that this is an important detail, and have spent a lot of time planning for it.”