WSDOT has a start date for SR 20 Sharpes Corner! Tapani, Inc. is planning to start work on SR 20 at Miller/Gibralter roads on Monday, April 2.
So what is going to happen on April 2?
- Tapani crews will close one lane of SR 20 at Miller/Gibralter and begin alternating traffic through the area.
- This means a flagger will stop southbound traffic while northbound traffic goes through and then switch which direction is stopped and so on.
- This alternating situation will be in place around-the-clock a.k.a 24/7 a.k.a. nonstop while the SR 20 Miller/Gibralter roundabout is built.
- It will take crews about two weeks to build half of the roundabout at this intersection, then they will switch traffic control a bit and continue to alternate traffic while they build the other side (about another two weeks).
Ways to help reduce your delays during construction:
- Avoid travelling during peak commute hours.
- Leave early or late if headed toward Anacortes or Whidbey Island on Friday afternoons.
- Consider public transportation (reach out to Skagit Transit for route info or your child’s school for bus options).
- Ride your bike and use the Tommy Thompson Trail or Skagit County roads (here's a pdf of some bike maps).
- Sign up to carpool or vanpool.
- Work remotely, if possible.
We know not everyone can change their commutes during this work, so if you are traveling through the area, leave yourself extra time. The amount of time it takes to get through the area is going to vary based on how many drivers change their habits, avoid peak travel times and the stage of construction.
WSDOT has a VERY aggressive timeline for this project (as preferred by most who live in the area) in order to wrap up most of the work by July 4. That timeline is why we’ll have lane reductions in place 24/7. Because we are starting so early in the season, there could be some delays due to weather. The contractor has plans in place to tweak their work schedule if weather delays keep them from their daily plan with weekly updates.
The best place to get information is right here in this email as well as the WSDOT North Twitter account and through individual Facebook groups in the area (let me know if there is one you are a part of that you think I should join to share info). You can also email me anytime if you have questions about this or any highway work PetricA@wsdot.wa.gov.