The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) awarded a $2,174,174 contract for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Johnson Point Road and Hawks Prairie Road.
The contract was awarded to Active Construction Inc., a Tacoma-based construction company, at a board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
“This project is going to be constructing a roundabout at the intersection, which will address traffic concerns as well as a collision history pattern at that intersection as well,” said County Engineer Matt Unzelman at the board meeting.
The project will include wider shoulders, streetlights, storm drainage and other work.
“The improvements will improve mobility and safety at the intersection for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists by decreasing vehicle speeds and conflict points and adding street lighting,” an agenda packet description of the project states.
The roadways have limited shoulder widths, limited sight distance and inadequate street lighting at the intersection.
The construction’s total estimated cost, including the contract award and construction management, is $2.7 million. The project will be funded by a Federal Highway Administration grant through the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program. The remaining funding will come from Transportation Impact Fees.
The improvement project had 11 bids back in July 2024, and the low, responsive bid was received from Active Construction Inc.
The project is in the 2024-25 Public Works budget, the 2024-29 Transportation Improvement Program and the Capital Improvement Program.
Constructing the roundabout is aligned with the County's Strategic Plan Initiative 2 to "Improve community health, wellness, and safety" and Initiative 8 to "(s)upport robust and well-maintained infrastructure systems for a thriving community."
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PollyinWA
This really seems unnecessary. I lived in this area many years and never saw any trouble with traffic. Maybe things are worse now but I have my doubts.
Friday, February 7 Report this
prat2828
This roundabout is absolutely necessary. Currently, the traffic traveling on S Bay Rd NE/Johnson Point Rd NE has the right-of-way, while traffic on Hawks Prairie Rd NE stops, waits, and proceeds when clear. This roundabout, as do all roundabouts, work efficiently by establishing an equal right-of-way principle. I use this route daily and between 4 and 5 p.m. drivers get impatient waiting to pull out onto Bay/Johnson Pt. Get on with the project!
Monday, February 24 Report this