I wanted to share some great news with you all on this Summer Solstice. WSDOT contractor crews from Tapani plan to open the Sharpes Corner roundabout to two-lane traffic by Saturday morning, June 23.
Today and Friday crews are working on concrete curb, wrapping up electrical, putting finishing touches on the bicycle/pedestrian trail and putting down temporary striping before moving the barrels and allowing two lanes in from both I-5 and Anacortes.
Next week:
Crews are already working to mobilize equipment out of the work area. It’ll start to look less and less like a construction zone each day. Next week, crews will go through and work on some areas that didn’t turn out just right/need adjustments. Crews could close a lane in various areas around the intersection from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday next week while they work on these small adjustments. They will be out of the work zone, with barrels moved by 3 p.m. on Friday, June 29. *If the daily schedule changes, we’ll adjust the portable signs on each leg to reflect work hours (will likely start earlier vs. go later) so you can plan ahead for your trips through the area.
Next month:
While Sharpes Corner work is nearly complete – remember that Lakeside Industries has the four-lane section to repave as part of the SR 20 Spur paving project. We worked closely with both contractors and the two WSDOT engineering offices overseeing these projects so that they weren’t happening at the same time.
Lakeside Industries will reduce that four lane stretch to two lanes for two consecutive weeks (yes, nights and weekends too). That work is tentatively scheduled to start on Wednesday, June 11 but I’ll keep you updated on the exact date. Traffic leaving Anacortes will need to plan for the same type of congestion that they’ve been experiencing with Sharpes Corner, and additional congestion when a ferry docks in Anacortes.
Late summer/early fall:
In September – Tapani crews will come back to plant landscaping in the roundabouts (Madronas, Shore Pines, Douglas Maples and some other vegetation) and put down permanent striping. When they reestablish this work zone we’ll also have them make any needed adjustments to signage/striping based on our monitoring of the area and feedback from travelers. As you use this area, please send me an email if there are any changes you believe would be beneficial and I’ll get those shared with our construction team for consideration.
Happy Summer
As we welcome in summer and the tourist season that goes with it, I’m looking forward to all of us benefiting from this Connecting Washington safety improvement project. If you have any questions on navigating through this area, please take a look at this website www.wsdot.wa.gov/Safety/roundabouts, the linked videos and if your questions aren’t answered there, let me know.
Thank you for your patience, planning and engagement during this work. Thank you to our city, county and law enforcement partners for your efforts and support. Thank you to Tapani and their subcontractors for their professionalism and efficiency on this project.
I haven’t uploaded pictures from this week yet – but I have it on my calendar to do tomorrow. They’ll be at www.bit.ly/SharpesCornerRABPhotos.
Happy summer,
Andrea E. Petrich
WSDOT communications
360.757.5963
Twitter: @WSDOT_north | Instagram: @wsdot