Kitsap County Commissioner Chris Endresen recently announced that the county has landed a $2,672,183 federal transportation award that will fund a portion State Route 305 (Bond Road through Poulsbo. This brings the total amount of federal funding committed to the project so far to $3,072,183.
The application for the funding was submitted to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PRSC) this past July by eight collaborating agencies, including the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners.
“Public support for this state corridor project is critical in connecting the Seattle metropolitan area with Kitsap and Jefferson counties,” said Endresen. "Without transportation money, the state has been unable to reduce congestion for Poulsbo visitors and residents and implement needed improvements conceptualized 10 years ago. Success with this application is the first encouragement we've received. I'm elated!”
The project was endorsed by, and developed with the close cooperation between eight public agencies: the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, Bainbridge Island City Council, Suquamish Tribal Council, the Poulsbo City Council, Kitsap Transit, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Ferries, and the Federal Highway Administration.
The design being utilized will maximize the use of existing facilities, reducing the overall cost of the project and includes multi-modal improvements, including two peak period HOV lanes (the first in Kitsap County), two general use lanes, turning lanes along SR 305 at intersections and turning pockets on Hostmark, Lincoln, Liberty, Little Valley Road and Bond Road. There are also bike lanes, pedestrian facilities and improvements to the transit facilities.
Transit facility enhancements include improved access to park and ride lots throughout the corridor, queue jumps at intersections and bus pullouts.
SR 305 is widely recognized as the primary connection between the Settle Metropolitan area and the Olympic Peninsula for freight moved by ferry. Studies of the corridor concluded that traffic congestion during peak periods and ferry times causes unacceptable levels of congestion — something local residents have known for years. And as a primary passage for fire and police vehicles, the added congestion creates further difficulties in maintaining a timely response to emergencies. The studies have also found that the accident rate in the Poulsbo segment was two times higher than the state average.
The PRSC project choices will be listed in the Draft 2005-2007 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and is now being analyzed for air quality conformity. The public comment period opens in September.
"Citizens are urged to review the proposal and offer input," continued Endresen. "Without their support, the project could slip."
The PRSC is comprised of officials from King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap Counties and administers and regionally prioritizes projects to be selected under three regionally managed federal funding sources, among its other responsibilities. Every two years, aligned with federal funding cycles, the PRSC reviews applications and makes recommendations, including back-up contingency projects.
In July, the Transportation Policy Board and Executive Board reviewed the 125 projects advanced by Regional Council technical committees. Regional project competitions were conducted for $36.9 million in STP/CMAQ funds, and $46.9 million in FTA funds. In addition, $51.8 million in STP/CMAQ funds are being recommended for local priorities and $186.7 million of FTA funds to local transit agencies.
For more information visit
www.psrc.org/projects/tip/index.htm.
