Groundbreaking ceremony scheduled

for July 24.

The plan to extend Waaga Way to connect Clear Creek and Old Frontier Roads north of Silverdale has come to fruition, becoming Central Kitsap’s first new road project since the construction of Myhre road in 1994.

“It’s been 13 years, 14 years almost,” Central Kitsap Commissioner Josh Brown said. “We’re just very proud of this project.”

The road extension will allow motorists to access East Bremerton via Waaga Way without having to drive through downtown Silverdale, which is often congested during peak traffic hours.

“This will provide a bypass for the congestion we see now,” Brown said.

It also will provide easier access to Silverdale’s newest 450-acre urban growth area.

“The extension road will contain a median with the intent to limit access points, as well as include bike, pedestrian and attractive landscaping features,” according to a statement released by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners. “Additionally, this roadway will serve as a catalyst to encourage new economic development opportunities by providing a main transportation link to 450 acres of newly designated commercial, office and industrial zoned lands.”

The $13 million project will span about 3/4 of a mile, not only including four lanes for vehicle traffic, but bike and pedestrian lanes.

“When Kitsap County builds roads we need to take into consideration not only vehicular traffic, but pedestrian and bike traffic,” Central Kitsap Commissioner Josh Brown said yesterday. “This project, unlike a lot of the roads built in Silverdale, will have bike lanes.”

The road, too, will please the eye, Brown said, having potted plants and a landscaped median.

“The median in the middle (will be) aesthetically pleasing,” he said. “This is a high quality project.”

The project is tentatively scheduled to be completed around August 2009, though that date is not set in stone.

“That’s what we’re striving for,” Brown said. “We still have a couple good months to build, but this is Washington.”

The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners will host a groundbreaking ceremony 5 p.m. Thursday, July 24 near the intersection of Clear Creek Road and the Highway 3/303 interchange. The public is invited to join.

For more information on the Waaga Way extension project, visit www.kitsapgov.com/boc/special_projects_division/waaga_way/wagga.htm.