City of Kent to host open house about Willis Street roundabout

Published 4:06 pm Friday, October 11, 2019

Residents can ask questions and find out more about the roundabout to be built at Fourth Avenue South and Willis Street (State Route 516) during a city of Kent open house from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7 in Council Chambers 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 will provide residents the opportunity to ask project-related questions and share comments. City of Kent and state Department of Transportation (DOT) staff will be available to answer questions.

The state DOT has approved a $3 million grant to the city to pay for the project.

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.

“A roundabout makes an incredible amount of sense to help move traffic through this intersection,” City Public Works Director Tim LaPorte said when project plans were announced last year.

For more information, contact Thomas Leyrer, city engineer, at TLeyrer@KentWA.gov or 253-856-5562.