Bethel Road Corridor

Currently a two-lane road, Bethel is scheduled to become a major commercial hub for South Kitsap within the next few years. The road will be four lanes, with planted medians dividing north and southbound traffic. Bicycle lanes and sidewalks will extend the length of the corridor, from south of Fred Meyer to the new traffic circle at the current Mitchell and Lincoln triangle. The new road section will transform Bethel Road into one of the most pleasant and traffic-efficient commercial areas in Kitsap County.

Following are details about the plans for some specific locations along the corridor:

Sedgwick Intersection
The Sedgwick intersection was recently re-built to accommodate the new Fred Meyer store. Additional improvements are needed to accommodate high volumes of traffic at this key intersection, which serves as a link from Highway 16 to the commercial area and the ferries at Southworth.

Blueberry Roundabout
Although it is a relatively rural area now, the intersection of Bethel and Blueberry is poised for significant future growth. A roundabout is planned for the intersection, and will accommodate residential driveways. As the land develops, the roundabout can be designed to include a commercial roadway connection to the west.

Salmonberry Intersection
The original approach called for Bethel Road to be raised nearly six feet in this location. Through the Value Engineering process the vertical alignment of the roadway through this intersection has been lowered to minimize utility conflicts, enhance constructability, and reduce access related concerns. This intersection will be signalized, include bus pullouts or in-lane stops, two travel lanes in each direction, and provisions for u-turns.

WalMart Entrance
This signal will be completed as a four-way intersection, with a realigned Bethel Lane leading behind Potter Printing Services and Helgeson's State Farm Insurance to connect with the RiteAid at Lund and Bethel.

Lund and Bethel Intersection
This intersection will remain largely unchanged. The exception is the installation of an additional left turn lane from northbound Bethel onto westbound Lund.

North Roundabout
A modern roundabout will be featured at the northern project limit. The final location of the roundabout has yet to be determined, but it will be in the general vicinity of the Mitchell/Lincoln Triangle and Lundberg Road. The roundabout will feature a landscaped center and the opportunity to develop a pocket park is being explored.

Current Project Status

Engineering Design: Parametrix is currently completing the final design for the Bethel Road Corridor Project. This involves finalizing the construction plans for the roadway and storm drainage improvements, including roundabouts at the intersections of Blueberry Road and Lundberg Road, signal modifications, and landscape and irrigation of planter areas. Also involved is the continued coordination with the public utility companies to include upgrades to the power, gas, telephone, cable TV, water, and sewer systems. The anticipated completion date for the final design is mid-summer 2005 and the environmental permitting will be complete in 2006.

Right of Way Acquisition: The Phase I Right of Way plan, showing the property needed for roadway and storm water improvements, is near completion. An acquisition strategy is being finalized. The County is going to advertise for appraisal services when the legal descriptions are complete. Right of way acquisition for the area identified as Phase I will begin after the properties have been given a fair market value appraisal.

Construction: Design, permitting, and right of way acquisition must all be completed prior to advertising for construction bids. Coordination and relocation efforts with a number of utilities must be successfully resolved prior to advertising for bids. With the large number of properties and the complexity of the permitting, it is difficult to predict when construction will commence. County staff and consultants are proceeding dutifully through the requisite steps to enable construction. Currently, construction is planned for 2009.

Corridor Development Plan: Adopted formally in 2000, all new commercial development must meet new design standards. Contact Department of Community Development (337-7181) for questions related to these design standards.
 

Kitsap County Public Works
The Open Line
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
openline@co.kitsap.wa.us