Silverdale Way Design Study

Project Location and Setting
The project study limits (road segment) extend from the SR3 northbound ramp onto Newberry Hill Road, east to Chico Way and north on Silverdale Way to Anderson Hill Road. The Federal Functional Class is (14) an Urban Principal Arterial.

Project Impetus
The Silverdale Circulation Study (1998) identified this road segment as a high priority for capacity improvements. The corridor is also identified as a high priority project under the County’s Bicycle Facilities Plan and a gateway into Silverdale. Completion of improvements to this corridor would relieve congestion, improve safety and present a gateway for vehicular traffic and non-motorized users.

Project Scope
This study consists of preparation of a design report identifying and analyzing various alternatives for future improvements to Silverdale Way. The study is looking at roadway capacity, intersection improvements, safety issues, non-motorized amenities, aesthetics, potential environmental issues and right-of-way impacts. The purpose of the study is to determine how the road can best be improved to address the needs of the community and the traveling public, and to develop an estimate of improvement costs and timelines.

A major element of the study is analyzing the intersection at Chico Way and determining how it can be reconstructed to enhance capacity and safety. The design study will consider options for signalizing the intersection and for constructing a roundabout.

The design report will identify possible alternatives, select the most viable based on given criteria, determine feasibility, scope of work, potential costs and timeline for future improvements.

Project Status
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for consultants was advertised in January 2009 and KPFF Consulting Engineers (KPFF), Seattle was selected to assist the County with preparation of the design report. A contract with KPFF was executed in May 2009 and the design report is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009.      View Design Alternatives

The following tasks a have been completed to date:

• Traffic modeling was completed by KPFF for the existing and future condition (year 2030) using traffic counts and data provided by the County. This model was used for analyzing various lane configurations, channelization needs and intersection operations.
•  Topographic mapping and imaging of the corridor was completed by Aero-Metric.
•  Available information on existing utilities situated within the corridor was collected and added to the mapping.
•  Various alternatives and options were developed including: no capacity improvements, two travel lanes in each direction, center turn lanes, managing access with u-turn provisions, signalized intersection, single lane roundabout, multi-lane roundabout and various non-motorized elements.     View Design Alternatives
• The County and KPFF have met with and are communicating with identified stakeholders (Silverdale Water District, Cascade Natural Gas and Puget Sound Energy, WSDOT, Kitsap Transit, Central Kitsap School District, and Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue) to solicit their input and concerns.
• All property owners potentially impacted by the improvements were invited to a Public Meeting on September 29th, 2009 where the various alternatives were described and comments and concerns about the improvements were solicited. The project was generally well received but several property owners expressed understandable concerns about access, safety and right-of-way impacts. Input received from the property owners was collected and every comment received will be considered and responded to.
•  KPFF is currently moving forward with an assessment of cultural, archeological, historic and critical areas that may exist within the corridor.
•  A presentation to the Central Kitsap Community Council to describe the study and solicit input is being scheduled.

The goal is to complete the study and compile the design report by the end of 2009. The total cost for completion of the design report will be approximately $150,000. The only funds currently available for design and construction within the corridor is for improvements to the intersection at Chico Way.

Improvements to the Chico Way intersection are fully funded in the County’s 6-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) at an estimated cost of $1,005,000. The schedule calls for final design starting in early 2010 and construction beginning in 2012.

Staff Contact:  Jonathon Brand, PE, County Engineer

Kitsap County Public Works
Kitsap 1
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
Kitsap1@co.kitsap.wa.us