Another roundabout is coming to Enumclaw.
The Enumclaw City Council awarded a bid to Maple Valley-based Sascon LLC to replace the two stop signs on Roosevelt Avenue at the intersection of Roosevelt and 244th Avenue (just south of the Veterans of Foreign Wars building) for a single-lane roundabout during its March 11 meeting.
The total cost of the project is expected to be just under $1.1 million; the city will be paying more than $784,000 from collected impact fee funds (not the general budget) and a %558,000 grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. Most of the project will be constructing the roundabout, but there will also be sewer and gas line improvements made in the area.
According to city documents, the intersection has a “failing level of service,” which, in plain English, means the intersection caused “significant” vehicle delays, as drivers often found themselves being unable to turn onto 244th at the two-way stop, Enumclaw City Administrator Chris Searcy said in an email interview.
Not only that, but there’s been an average of three car crashes or other incidents (falling into a ditch, running into street signs, etc.) at this intersection per year. Only a one crash in recent years resulted in a “suspected” serious injury, and there have been no fatalities reported.
Putting in a roundabout is expected to increase safety at the intersection, as roundabouts in general reduce up to 37% of all collisions, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Most construction is slated to take place between June 17 and Sept. 24. Drivers can expect 244th to remain open during construction, but portions of Roosevelt will be closed and detours put in place.
OTHER PROJECTS
This roundabout project is not the only one slated for this summer and fall, though this undertaking is by far the largest and most expensive planned for this year.
According to the city of Enumclaw’s 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), there are numerous pavement preservation projects planned for around the city, including on 268th Avenue, from McHugh Avenue to the northern city limits; Monroe Street, from SR 410 to Railroad Street; Watson Street, from Dickson Avenue to Bongard Avenue; and 244th, from McDougall to the southern city limits.
Finally, there are a few sidewalk extensions, from Boyle Street to 244th Avenue; Farrelly Street to Okerlund Drive; and Bondegard Avenue to Dickson Avenue.
The TIP is expected to be updated this summer, with new estimated costs, completion years, and, possibly, brand new projects.
