City partners with WSDOT on roundabout construction

The city of Poulsbo approved a construction administration agreement with the state Department of Transportation to construct the Johnson Road/ SR305 roundabout.

The city formed a blended team with WSDOT, which will administer construction at the intersection of Johnson Road and Highway 305, in addition to pedestrian tunnel under the highway.

“They (WSDOT) will be responsible for project management, inspection and documentation review,” said Josh Ranes, Poulsbo’s civil engineer.

The project will cost $18.5 million, with roughly $11 millioni coming from state and federal grants.

“As we move forward with construction and really move away from the roundabout I think what we are planning on doing is the city will take on an even greater role, and we will hopefully be reducing some of their (WSDOT’s) role as we move up and away from the highway. They (WSDOT) will be involved with the project all the way through and supporting it,” Ranes said.

About four people from Poulsbo will make up the city’s representation of the blended team including Ranes, who will act as construction manager for the city. Diane Lenius will maintain her role as director of engineering, Joe Smith will be one of the inspectors and April Zieman a contract administrator.