In a move to better handle the demands of a growing population, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has chosen to upgrade two intersections along State Route 500 in east Clark County with roundabouts. The public will have the opportunity to sneak a peek at these designs and share their input during an open house event on June 17. The gathering will take place between 5 and 7 p.m. at Camas High School, situated at 26900 Southeast 15th Street in Camas.
Attendance promises to not only showcase the roundabout designs but also to actively involve the residents. Attendees can expect to quickly provide their daily usage patterns, discuss possible concerns, and set out their preferences for ensuring accessibility during the construction phase. The upcoming construction, earmarked at $2.5 million, is slated to begin in either 2025 or 2026, as part of a strategy to directly address safety and congestion issues exacerbated by the uptick in area traffic.
Roundabouts are widely recognized for their ability to reduce serious crashes while simultaneously increasing the flow of traffic. Camas, having seen a considerable amount of growth and development, now grapples with increased traffic volumes and a worrying history of crashes at these intersections. According to a statement from the Washington State Department of Transportation, the roundabouts are part of a broader initiative to optimize traffic movement and bolster safety standards for a rapidly expanding community.
WSDOT representatives will be present at the open house to directly respond to any questions related to the roundabout project's design and to transparently discuss the details of the upcoming construction. They aim to quickly gather community feedback that will ultimately feed into the implementation of this Highway Safety Improvement Program-funded project.
