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SKAGIT COUNTY - A new round-a-bout will be constructed on Pioneer Highway at Conway thanks to a $2 million grant awarded to Skagit County from FHWA's Quick Response Grant through the Washington State Department of Transportation Highways and Local Programs. Public Works Director Henry Hash received notification of the grant on Friday, February 2. Public Works was also recently notified of a $10 million grant award to replace the Burlington Northern Overpass on Old 99 north of Cook Road, and $1.2 million to replace dolphins at the Guemes Ferry dock.

"This will be the third round-a-bout constructed by Skagit County, teamed with our round-a-bouts at La Conner, and the Best and Mclean intersection. The roundabout will improve public safety year-round as well as dramatically improve Tulip Festival traffic backups, and delays caused by the railroad crossing" said Public Works Lead Engineering Tech Forrest Jones. He went on to add, "While a traffic signal was considered at this location, it was impractical due to the close proximity of the side roads at Main Street and Conway Frontage, in addition to the multiple business accesses."

Jones and fellow Public Works employee Given Kutz were leaders in establishing the first Skagit County round-a-bout in La Conner several years ago. As part of their public outreach efforts, they set up a test site at the County Shop to show local farmers and businesses how it would work. They also created a video describing how to navigate through a round-a-bout.

"Forrest and Given have been real leaders in the implementation of round-a-bouts in rural Skagit County," said Hash.

Design is already underway and construction is scheduled for 2014.

"Combined with the nearly complete Anderson-LaVenture project, and our recent improvements on the Guemes Ferry, we've benefited from more than $30 million of grant funding since 2010,"said Hash. "The reason we're receiving grant dollars is a combined effort of our Public Works staff having projects planned out and ready to complete, writing quality grant applications, and building strong relationships with local, state and federal partners."

For further information, contact:
Forrest Jones
Lead Engineering Technician
360-419-3423