SR 9 in Lake Stevens closed June 2-8 for roundabout construction

By David Rasbach

Some significant work to improve traffic flow and safety is coming to Lake Stevens but we’ll be closing both directions of State Route 9 for several days in early June to build a roundabout and we’re asking people to plan ahead.

Both directions of SR 9 between Lundeen Parkway and SR 204 will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, June 2, to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 8. Please plan on using alternate routes during this timeframe.

Two roundabouts along SR 9 in Lake Stevens will be built this summer to help improve mobility and safety in the area. The first will be built near Vernon Road June 2-8, while the second will built at the SR 9/SR 204 intersection, above, later this summer.

During the closure, contractor crews will remove pavement, build a multi-lane roundabout at Vernon Road, complete drainage improvements and install new signs. The roundabout will give people have more options navigating the area and traffic will be more evenly spread out throughout the area.

The closure may have to be rescheduled if it rains so make sure to visit our project website here and subscribe to receive email and text updates by clicking visiting this website for the most up-to-date information about the closure.

The detour around the SR 9 closure between SR 204 and Lundeen Parkway
takes traffic along Lundeen and Market Place.

Plan ahead for this closure

While we understand that a multi-day closure is inconvenient, it will help our construction crews do this work more efficiently and safely.

Business access will remain open during the closure. If you’re traveling locally, please plan to avoid unnecessary trips through the area if possible, carpool to reduce the number of vehicles adding to congestion, or plan to travel at off-peak times and allow for extra travel time.

Please drive carefully, avoid distractions and be aware of other drivers using detour routes that may be new to them. Stay alert in work zones – the crews are working to keep everyone safe and traffic moving and they need to be safe was well.

Benefits of the new SR 9 roundabout

Once the new roundabout at SR 9 and Vernon Road is done, there will have more travel options in this area.

The roundabout will connect Vernon Road on the east and west sides of SR 9. It will help reduce congestion by increasing travel options for drivers passing through the intersection of SR 9 and SR 204:

• Vernon Road on the west side of SR 9 will allow for two-way traffic and will connect eastbound traffic on SR 204 to northbound SR 9 by way of 91st Avenue Northeast and Vernon Road.
• People also will be able to reach North Davies Road and Frontage Road without having to use the SR 9 and SR 204 intersection.
• North Davies Road and Vernon Road on the east side of SR 9 will soon have direct access to SR 9 in both directions.

Check out this video to see the various travel options that will be availble once this work is done.

• Vernon Road on the west side of SR 9 will allow for two-way traffic and will connect eastbound traffic on SR 204 to northbound SR 9 by way of 91st Avenue Northeast and Vernon Road.
• People also will be able to reach North Davies Road and Frontage Road without having to use the SR 9 and SR 204 intersection.

• North Davies Road and Vernon Road on the east side of SR 9 will soon have direct access to SR 9 in both directions.

About roundabouts

Roundabouts improve safety by acting as traffic calming devices – slowing down approaching vehicles – and reducing the likelihood of T-bone or head-on collisions. Drivers should lower their speeds to 15-20 mph as they approach and drive around the roundabout.

Here are a few key things to remember when driving through roundabouts:

• Yield to drivers already in the roundabout
• Stay in your lane; do not change lanes
• Do not stop in the roundabout
• Avoid driving next to oversize vehicles
• Use your turn signal when exiting a roundabout to let vehicles waiting to enter know if they can proceed.

To find more resources and videos on how to navigate a roundabout please visit this website.

Roundabouts and pedestrians

Modern roundabouts also are safer than traditional intersections for people walking or rolling – another reason for this work on SR 9.

Crosswalks are set farther back to allow drivers more time to react to people before they merge into or exit the roundabout. Triangular islands between lanes also provide safe areas for pedestrians to wait if they choose to only cross one section at a time.

The graphic below shows pedestrian and bicyclist movements that will be available through the SR 9/SR 204 area once the project is completed later this year. The new crosswalk across the SR 9 roundabout will be fully operational shortly after the extended weekend closure is complete.

A look at the bike and pedestrian improvements at the intersection of SR 9 and SR 204

What’s next?

The work in early June is part of a larger overall project called the SR 9 – SR 204 Intersection Improvements project.

We plan to have another full closure this summer, which will allow crews to build the second multi-lane roundabout at the intersection of SR 9 and SR 204. Between now and then, there will be some minor construction work that could require various lane and shoulder closures overnight.

Thank you in advance for your patience as we work to improve the traffic flow and safety in the area.