Tag Archives: fatality

Latest fatality steps up pressure at SR3 and Sunnyslope Road

The in basket: Jim Hazel and JoAnne Stefanac e-mailed to press for quick action to make the intersection of Highway 3 and Sunnyslope Road less dangerous. And Jim wondered what he’d be commenting on if he used an e-mail address listed in a letter to the editor in the Kitsap Sun recently in connection with that intersection.

“You’ve addressed this before,” JoAnne wrote, “but we’ve had another fatality there again recently and I was wondering if/when they are EVER going to address this dangerous intersection with some kind of improvement? Turning left onto the highway from Sunnyslope Road is taking your life in your hands as the folks are roaring up the hill to ‘get ahead’ of one another before the two lanes merge into one at the top of the hill.

“It’s like a racetrack there most of the time.  Not to mention, dodging the cars coming from the left (from Belfair).  Poor man lost the gamble this week.  How many deaths does it take to get it fixed?

“Honestly, I’d LOVE a (signal),” she said when I asked her what she would suggest, “but I know it’s all about the roundabouts nowadays.  Hate them and don’t think they’d do that on a highway at any rate (Please God!). Would have to be a light.  A life-saving light.

“They have one in Gorst, one at the airport, and in Belfair.  Why not at this most dangerous intersection? Especially considering how much the Sunnyslope and surrounding area is growing, with more and more homes being built at McCormick Woods. It’s not going to get any better as the building continues.”

Jim wrote, “ I consider this to be a very dangerous intersection which I fortunately can usually

avoid. Nonetheless, I am interested in any study or proposed action on it. I have looked over the projects and studies on the DOT web site but found no mention. The letter did indicate, however, that a public comment period will expire on Dec. 16.  How do I find out

what is being commented on and what type of public information is being south?”

The out basket: Doug Adamson of the Olympic Region of state highways replied, “While WSDOT does not have any major projects currently funded for this intersection, WSDOT traffic engineers plan to have additional signage installed on State Route 3. The signs will be installed before the intersection of Sunnyslope Road Southwest. The yellow signs will give drivers advance notification of the approaching intersection.

“The Dec. 16 deadline specifically applies to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which lists upcoming transportation improvement projects scheduled in the next four years. You can find the news release about the public comment period for the STIP here: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/2016/11/16/looking-future-washington%E2%80%99s-4-year-program-transportation-projects-ready-review.” If you can’t just click on that indecipherable link, just got to www.wsdot.gov and ask for ‘2017-20 transportation improvement’ and the site will come up.

“While there are STIP projects listed for Kitsap County,” Doug continued, “the intersection of SR 3 and Sunnyslope Road is not identified. You can view the project list here: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/LocalPrograms/ProgramMgmt/STIP

“The comments related to the intersection of SR 3 and Sunnyslope Road Southwest have been forwarded to regional WSDOT traffic engineers. Unlike the STIP official public comment period, there is no deadline for residents to give us feedback on this intersection or any intersection involving a state highway. People who would like to reach us are able to do so via orfeedback@wsdot.wa.gov

Glenwood Road block wall could be made safer, says reader

The in basket: Howard Highland of South Kitsap writes, “I live near the end of Glenwood Road (where) there is a big block wall and a stop sign.  So far, we have lost two young boys on this wall.

“The county has done nothing so slow the impact of the cars hitting this wall,” he said. “It seems to me barrels filled with water could help to save a life.

“I would love to see something done to stop the impact and save a few  young boys,” he concluded.

I asked Kitsap County Public Works  if they are aware of the deaths and about the practicality of Mr. Highland’s suggestion.

The out basket:  Jeff Shea, county traffic engineer, says, “We are aware of the fatalities at this location. During the last five years, the only collision at that location is that fatality collision.

“Safety improvements are expensive, and we use the limited funds available in areas where there is a history of collisions, and where improvements reduce the frequency of collisions. The severity of this single accident, while tragic, was not a result of safety concerns at this location.

“We continue to review collision histories to ensure safety improvements are made in areas that need them most,” Jeff said.