In a joint effort with the city of Milton, Edgewood’s traffic improvement project on Jovita Boulevard is anticipated to open the city up to new development prospects and economic expansion. The realignment project will remove the signal at Jovita and Meridian, and replace it with a roundabout to ease congestion and enhance safety.
The design of the roundabout creates a much safer pedestrian experience than a traditional four-way stop. Pedestrians cross the street behind the first car approaching the intersection, and in front of the second car.
“This causes no conflict whatsoever, and improves safety quite a bit,” Public Works Director Joe Seet said.
City officials opted to construct a roundabout rather than building a traditional intersection to save money.
“In this sort of intersection, we don’t have to purchase expensive signal equipment, which is a significant amount of money,” City Manager Mark Bauer said.
The $5.2 million project is funded through the cities of Milton and Edgewood, the Transportation Improvement Board, Washington State Department of Transportation, public works trust fund and private developers.
The realignment will create a right-in, right-out route to Jovita Boulevard for northbound traffic. The idea is to reduce traffic congestion by allowing a greater distance between signals to increase traffic safety.
The Jovita Boulevard roundabout is designed to reduce the risk of high-speed accidents among drivers as well. A central island will also provide space for Edgewood’s first gateway sign to welcome drivers to the city.
Residents who would like to share their design ideas with stakeholders can attend an open house in March before the project goes out to bid. Construction is slated to begin in May, with a project completion date set for the end of the first quarter in 2013.
“This is an exciting project with much benefit and tremendous value to residents,” Bauer added.
