The state of Washington contains many roundabouts at intersections in the state's road network.[1][2] Modern roundabouts have been shown to improve traffic flow and increase safety versus other options such as traffic signals and stop signs.
The first two roundabouts in the state opened in 1997, near Bellevue and Tacoma.[2] By 2002, 25 roundabouts existed in the state.[2] According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, by 2017 the state ranked third in the nation in number of roundabouts built (behind Wisconsin and Georgia)[3] and the state had 430 roundabouts in 2019.[4]
Roundabouts in Washington
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| Name | Image | County | City | Location | Intersecting roads | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pioneer Highway / Fir Island Road Intersection[5] | Skagit | Conway | 48°20′24″N 122°20′24″W / 48.340°N 122.340°W | Pioneer Highway & Fir Island Road | ||
| SR 9 - SR 204 Intersection[6] | Snohomish | Lake Stevens | 48°00′07″N 122°06′22″W / 48.002°N 122.106°W | SR 9 & SR 204 | Four roundabouts in close proximity connect the state routes and adjoining roads. |
References
edit- ^ "Washington State Focuses on Outreach, Illustrates How to Drive a Roundabout" (PDF). fhwa.dot.gov. U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. July 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) faced resistance planning its first roundabouts in 1997 [...] WSDOT has since built more than 200 roundabouts and plans several more as part of the State's continued focus on road user safety and congestion reduction.
- ^ a b c Brooks, Diane (June 5, 2002). "Directing traffic in a roundabout way". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
At least 600 roundabouts have been built in the United States since 1990. But the modern incarnation of traffic circles is still a novelty in this state, where the first two opened in 1997 in the Bellevue and Tacoma areas. Now 25 are in place, with many more in the works.
- ^ Hallenberg, Pia (May 3, 2017). "Washington State DOT touts roundabouts". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
If you count the number of roundabouts then Washington is among the top three circle-happy states in the nation, after Wisconsin and Georgia.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (September 3, 2019). Written at Lake Stevens. "Washington's unofficial freeway: Highway 9 in Lake Stevens strains under a suburban boom". The Seattle Times. Seattle. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
Washington state has 430 roundabouts, more than 80 multilane, said Brian Walsh, state traffic design engineer. Seattle has none.
- ^ "Completion of the Pioneer Highway / Fir Island Road Intersection Project" (PDF). skagitcounty.net. Skagit County. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "SR 9 - SR 204 Intersection Improvements". wsdot.wa.gov. Washington State Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
External links
edit- Washington State Department of Transportation webpage about roundabouts
- Federal Highway Administration report on WSDOT's roundabout outreach
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