Anacortes Hwy 20 Construction on now

Amazing to see all these posts about Rotary's, as we called them in the Boston area. I grew up with them, love them, miss them dearly. So this is what i was taught about traffic circles; NEVER look anyone in the eye. Make believe you do not see them, and go for it.

I know what you are saying; crashes everywhere, crazy idea, etc. And sure, that's true. But these are nothing new and various techniques work in various places. We are way more polite out here on the west coast. In Boston, look the other way and go like gang busters; its fun!

What surprises me is that they are using defined lanes in circles out here. Coming off a highway back east you would routinely be dumped into a circle at whatever speed you may be going and certainly without any lanes to impede your intentions. No place for the faint of heart. But don't acknowledge the other drivers on the circle or you will never survive.

So my advise is to enjoy the circles. Be safe!
 
Here's the latest update from WA state's DOT as of today. Note there will be congestion problems well into July.

Work in Anacortes continues:
Last Friday crews from Tapani were able to open part of the Sharpes Corner roundabout – but the work is not done. I repeat: This roundabout project area is still a work zone. Anyone who needs to head through this area, especially during the afternoon commute, should still expect long delays (especially eastbound out of Anacortes) while crews finish work on this project.

Crews plan to get a lot of the final paving work done – what they refer to as the final lift – so that the asphalt meets the bottom of the curbs. There is no date set to open the second lane of the roundabout yet. Contractors are still doing curb, electrical, vegetation and some drainage work. They expect to wrap the major portions (i.e. all the big lane closures) by the end of the month.

Tapani crews will then come back in September to put down permanent striping, landscape and make any needed adjustments (to signs, etc.) following the next couple of months of use and observation.

More work coming to SR 20 Spur in Anacortes:
Following Fourth of July week, crews from Lakeside Industries will reduce the four lane stretch between the new Sharpes and Commercial Avenue roundabouts to two lanes for two weeks to do pavement repair and repaving work. These lane reductions will be in place 24/7 (yes, nights and weekends).
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I am impressed by the speed and quality of the work done on this project.

Very smooth, when not traveling through during rush hour. It also helps to be able go around the project from Tom's posting.

I look forward to the finished paving going into and out of Anacortes, pretty bumpy over the past couple years.
 
DW":1pr7m0ve said:
Now I have to go try it out.
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Before you do, watch the video at 2:30, where a car coming from the east turns the wrong direction and goes clockwise, setting up the possibility of a head on collision. In fact, it "exits" into the oncoming north-bound lane, setting up for a head on collision just out of camera. Fortunately, it just happened to be when the traffic was light. Also note that almost every vehicle that enters in an outside lane crosses over the line into the inside lane at some point during the rotation. Some even completely change lanes for a moment. While this isn't a problem in light traffic, it can be dangerous if they are next to you and don't understand that they need to stay in their lane.

Mark
 
Marco Flamingo":248rf9hx said:
DW":248rf9hx said:
Now I have to go try it out.
Click to expand...

Before you do, watch the video at 2:30, where a car coming from the east turns the wrong direction and goes clockwise, setting up the possibility of a head on collision. In fact, it "exits" into the oncoming north-bound lane, setting up for a head on collision just out of camera. Fortunately, it just happened to be when the traffic was light. Also note that almost every vehicle that enters in an outside lane crosses over the line into the inside lane at some point during the rotation. Some even completely change lanes for a moment. While this isn't a problem in light traffic, it can be dangerous if they are next to you and don't understand that they need to stay in their lane.

Mark
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Mark,

See my response on page 3 of this thread.

DW
 
I went through there twice in the last few days, pulling the boat on a trailer. First time through I remeber thinking the signage was confusing. Second time, I followed a 53 foot semi. Believe me, the lane marking were pointless there. He used the whole circle going from west bound toward Anacortes to south towards Whidbey. I was coming from Anacortes, saw what was going to happen and yielded to a full stop to let him through. Personally, I don't like circles, but I known they are supposed to make for better traffic flow.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Harvey,

If its not on your radar, it should be ... Fish N' Chips at San Juan lanes (bowling alley) in Anacortes. Voted best in A-town for 20 years running
 
Looks like a great improvement over the back ups that were there before. Other the completely moron going the wrong way , you cant fix stupid, every one is doing just fine. Go back in a month and record it again. Willing to bet it will be a lot smoother and faster.
 
chromer":1su0zryg said:
Harvey,

If its not on your radar, it should be ... Fish N' Chips at San Juan lanes (bowling alley) in Anacortes. Voted best in A-town for 20 years running
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Alright, Thanks Dwight. I will add it to my "radar list". Always up for a new try.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
We've been thru there ~3-4 times now and it is an improvement, particularly going west to Anacortes and in light traffic but think of this scenario.....

Before the traffic circle I remember long lines of traffic queuing back on highway 20 wanting to head south to Whidbey Island. When there is this same traffic, they will enter the circle and cross in front (with the right of way) of the traffic leaving Anacortes (maybe a ferry just let their load off) wanting to head east bound on 20. This traffic could not enter the traffic circle to continue east unless some nice person allowed them to enter.

Maybe this situation is the prefect storm or maybe not. I guess no traffic solution is ever perfect.
 
Gene,

I have seen a little bit of the scenario you mention. One item that mitigates that is the traffic light (east) at the golf course intersection. That light fires frequently as semis leave the refinery. That gives a brief break to the Burlington --> Oak Harbor flow into the circle
 
If its not on your radar, it should be ... Fish N' Chips at San Juan lanes (bowling alley) in Anacortes. Voted best in A-town for 20 years running
Click to expand...

Nah :wink:,

I'd go to the Brown Lantern for Fish n' Chips. I could be wrong, or maybe it's changed, I only tried the bowling alley once....the Brown many times. If I remember right, the bowling alley breads its F&Cs; whereas the Brown uses batter. I far prefer batter, so that might determine my views. YMMV.
 
After the requisite hating period required of all curmudgeons like myself, I have grown to like almost every traffic circle installed in my vicinity (many now). I can think of only one in my accustomed driving vicinity (out many, many installed) that have made matters worse rather than better.

I must give the traffic engineers credit here because I can think of no other roadway design that causes such an immediate and visceral dislike from so many. The negativity the actual engineers must overcome or ignore, time and time again, only to be proven correct time and time again, must be disheartening.

Also, a traffic circle of the kind being installed in Anacortes is not a "traffic calming" device. There are some kinds of circles, typically installed at neighbor hood intersections, that are intended for "calming," but that is not the case here.
 
I have to say that when the traffic circles were first built in my area I was not a fan. I thought they would lead to problems and more traffic but I was wrong. There are at least 6 , off the top of my head, in the Marysville area. Two are on highway 9. But after 6 years of useing them daily , you cant leave my house with out hitting at least one, they are great. I tow a 27ft cdory , which is 42 ft on the trailer with a full size PU truck and have no problems getting thur any of them.

As far as switching lanes in the circle. That is just poor planning and lack of training which will come with time. If you look at the circle you just need to be in the right lane ahead of time. And yes traffic coming into the circle has to stop for cars in the circle and merge. Put so do car entering a highway ( well that is something that the good people of Washington have a hard time with anyhow).

What I like the most about this circle is that thru traffic from the east and south do not even have to enter the circle but use the by passes lanes. This was designed better then I thought it would be.
 
There is an article in the Anacortes newspaper about all the accidents now occurring at the Sharps Corner traffic circle compared to before the traffic circle was installed.

We drove thru it yesterday with that in mind and it seems like having a 2 lane traffic circle causes additional confusion.
 
There is an article in the Anacortes newspaper about all the accidents now occurring at the Sharps Corner traffic circle compared to before the traffic circle was installed.

We drove thru it yesterday with that in mind and it seems like having a 2 lane traffic circle causes additional confusion.
 
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