SULTAN — Construction of a roundabout aimed at reducing collisions is scheduled to begin today.
Crews will start on the curbing of the roundabout, on U.S. 2 at the Rice Road intersection just east of Sultan.
There should be no significant traffic disruptions during this part of the project, said Bronlea Mishler, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Transportation.
“Most of the work is going to be off the road,” she said.
The only effect drivers could see at this part of the project are narrower lanes, Mishler said.
Partial night-time closures are planned for mid-January but those will depend on the work and weather.
Lakeside/TriState Construction was awarded the $2.17 million contract in last September.
Work is scheduled to end, at the earliest, by April.
A roundabout was chosen for the intersection because state traffic planners believe it will prevent serious collisions from vehicles wanting to get on and off U.S. 2.
“This helps drivers to enter the highway,” Mishler said. “You only have to yield to the people who are coming from your left.”
According to the Transportation Department’s numbers, there have been 19 collisions from 2005 to 2009 in this area. Of those, 11 involved turning vehicles. It was also in this location where Lt. Bruce Ramsey, who worked at the Monroe Correctional Complex, died when his motorcycle collided with another vehicle in February 2010.
Traffic flow could also improve because drivers may not need to make a total stop at the intersection. Roundabouts are also less expensive to maintain than traditional traffic signal intersections.
“This ended up being the best option for this intersection,” Mishler said.
The roundabout is one of four U.S. 2 projects the state is planning to begin in 2012.
Next summer, construction is scheduled to begin on a new crossing from Bickford Avenue to westbound U.S. 2, a $19.7 million project.
At the same time, state crews are planning to replace culverts under U.S. 2 between Ebey Slough and Bickford Avenue.
The fourth project is replacing one steel railing of the Anderson Creek Bridge, located east of Gold Bar. This project is scheduled to begin in April.
Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@ heraldnet.com.
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