The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is inviting public input for upcoming safety improvements at the State Route 305 and High School Road intersection on Bainbridge Island. WSDOT plans to host an in-person open house from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Woodward Middle School, aiming to gather community feedback during the project's pre-design phase. WSDOT's objectives include addressing safety and Complete Streets improvements to better accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, and those using other non-motorized forms of transportation.
According to the WSDOT announcement, the intersection has been identified as a location with a concerning history of fatal and serious injury collisions, which has placed it on the state's safety priority list. In an effort to significantly reduce these incidents, plans include constructing a roundabout — a proven design known to decrease potential crash points and encourage safer vehicle speeds.
The Federal Highway Administration supports that roundabouts can reduce fatal crashes by 90 percent and serious injury crashes by 75 percent. The continuous flow of traffic and lack of crossing paths inherent in a roundabout's design work to effectively eliminate severe "T-bone" and head-on collisions. This proposed measure aligns with WSDOT's wider safety program, Target Zero, which strives to continually lower serious and fatal crashes on state highways through extensive crash analysis and proactive crash prevention strategies.
For those unable to attend the open house in person, WSDOT will simultaneously run an online open house starting Monday, Feb. 2. Interested individuals can access details through a link to be shared in a subsequent news release and the pre-design study website. At the open house events, WSDOT team members will be available to "explain the design, answer questions and take comments," ensuring that the public not only hears but is heard in a dialogue about their daily commute and the roads they travel.
The SR 305 High School Road improvement project represents a critical step towards a safer Bainbridge Island transit experience. Community members are encouraged to visit the open house to learn more and voice their opinions to shape the future of this busy intersection. The in-person open house will be held at the Woodward Middle School commons, located at 9125 Sportsman Club Road Northeast, Bainbridge Island.
