Residents can attend a brief presentation to discuss possible road closures during construction this summer of the Fourth Avenue South and Willis Street roundabout.
The city of Kent Public Works Department will run the meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12 in the Mt. Rainier Room at Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N. There will be a brief Q&A after the presentation.
Construction is scheduled to start this summer and be completed in the fall. The intersection will remain open during construction, but traffic will be reduced to one lane in all directions. There may be several weekend closures.
The project will cost between $4 to $6 million with $3 million coming from the state Legislature to construct the roundabout. The city also is seeking a $3 million grant from the state to build a gateway to Kent at the intersection.
The city has had two previous meetings about the roundabout and its impact to residents.
City officials said the roundabout is needed to:
• Improve intersection safety, traffic flow and efficiency for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles
• Enhance the landscaping to create a welcoming gateway into the city
• The roundabout is required for the city to get state approval for new northbound road (Naden Avenue) connecting West Meeker Street to Willis Street (SR 516) east of the Valley Freeway (SR 167).
The city has an agreement with a developer to build a hotel just north of Willis Street on the Naden property.
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