Residents can find out more information about the new roundabout to be built at the intersection of Fourth Avenue South and Willis Street (State Route 516) during a city of Kent open house from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, at City Hall, 220 Fourth Ave. S.
The existing signalization intersection will be replaced with a roundabout. The project will include new sidewalks, crosswalks and landscaping.
During the open house, city staff will display exhibits describing the project and residents will have the opportunity to ask project-related questions and share comments. City of Kent and Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) staff will be available to answer project specific and general roundabout questions.
The city and state had a similar informational meeting in November.
Crews will construct a dual-lane roundabout at the intersection. Many drivers go north on Fourth Avenue to access downtown, including Kent Station and the accesso ShoWare Center.
The state DOT has approved a $3 million grant to the city to pay for the project.
City staff has worked with the DOT to improve access to the city-owned Naden property that sits just west and south of the intersection. City leaders want improved access to the property to make it more marketable to developers, with hopes of bringing a hotel and other developments to the 7.7-acre site, north of Willis Street and east of State Route 167.
The DOT gave approval to the city for right in/right out traffic access from the Naden site to Willis Street, provided Kent pursue the installation of a roundabout at Fourth and Willis. The only current access to the Naden land is from West Meeker Street to the north.
For more information, contact Thomas Leyrer, city engineer, at TLeyrer@KentWA.gov or 253-856-5562.
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