Northeast 179th Street and Northeast 29th Avenue Intersection Improvements

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Public Works is reconstructing the intersection of Northeast 179th Street and Northeast 29th Avenue. The existing single-lane, all-way stop-sign-controlled intersection will be replaced with a roundabout. This change is necessary to accommodate increasing traffic volumes associated with residential and commercial development in the area.

179th and 29th road closure

Construction and closure information

In late August, construction began on the Northeast 179th Street and Northeast 29th Avenue Intersection Improvement project. The first stage of road closures are now in effect as the contractor works on site clearing and preparation. 

  • Northeast 179th Street is closed west of the intersection, between Northeast 29th and 26th avenues.
  • Northeast 29th Avenue is closed south of the intersection, between Northeast 179th and 175th streets. 

Access to properties within the closure areas will be maintained.
A signed detour is in place to guide drivers around the closed areas.

*“Local access” refers to non-through traffic, i.e., traffic that is accessing a property located within the closed area.

During working hours (generally 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays), travelers may encounter alternating one-way traffic control in some areas.

Construction is weather-dependent, and this closure is tentatively scheduled to be removed Dec. 1, 2025.  

Page contents (click to jump to a section)

About the project

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Click here to view the map of the project area.

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This project contributes to improvement of the local transportation system in support of the Clark County Comprehensive Growth Management Plan. Development is increasing traffic volumes along the Northeast 179th Street corridor. This project is one of several that, when complete, will improve travel times, upgrade stormwater management, improve safety and bring the corridor up to current road standards.

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The roundabout will be designed to operate initially with a single lane. It will be sized to be expandable to multi-lanes in the future to align with the eventual widening of Northeast 179th Street to four lanes. Other improvements will include upsizing of culverts to meet current standards, construction of retaining walls, utility adjustments, and installation of stormwater conveyance and a treatment facility. 

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Roundabouts keep traffic moving safely and steadily. Studies have shown that roundabouts are safer than stop sign or signal-controlled intersections. Roundabouts reduced injury crashes by 75 percent at intersections where stop signs or signals were previously used for traffic control, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Studies by the IIHS and Federal Highway Administration have shown that roundabouts typically achieve:

  • A 37 percent reduction in overall collisions.
  • A 75 percent reduction in injury collisions.
  • A 90 percent reduction in fatality collisions.
  • A 40 percent reduction in pedestrian collisions.

There are several reasons why roundabouts help reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions:

  • Low travel speeds: Drivers must slow down and yield to traffic before entering a roundabout. Speeds in a roundabout are typically between 15 and 20 mph. The collisions that occur in roundabouts are typically minor and cause fewer injuries since they occur at lower speeds.
  • No light to beat: Roundabouts are designed to promote a continuous, circular flow of traffic. Drivers only need to yield to traffic before entering a roundabout; if there is no traffic in the roundabout, drivers are not required to stop. Because traffic is constantly flowing through the intersection, drivers don't have the incentive to speed up to try and "beat the light," like they might at a signal-controlled intersection.
  • One-way travel: Roads entering a roundabout are gently curved to direct drivers into the intersection and help them travel counterclockwise around the roundabout. The curved roads and one-way travel around the roundabout eliminate the possibility of T-bone and head-on collisions.
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Design of the new intersection is nearly complete.

Public Works incorporates resident input when feasible. County projects are designed by professional engineers. We balance community input with other considerations to create the best possible final design. Considerations include legal requirements, environmental impacts, budget and safety. Input among residents, user groups and stakeholders often differs. While we do our best to incorporate resident input, we are not able incorporate all input or requests. If you have questions or concerns about the final project design, we invite you to learn more on our website or contact the project manager.

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Click here to see the project's design plans.

Project Timeline

Design: spring 2020 – spring 2025

Construction: summer 2025

Budget

The total budget identified for the project is $23.2 million, including a federal grant for approximately a third of the cost.

Click here to see the current project cost estimate.

Public Input

Aug. 12 Informational Community Meeting

Thank you for joining us at the August 12 informational community meeting to learn more about the changes coming to the Northeast 179th Street and 29th Avenue Intersection. 

Informational Community Meeting Handout (PDF)
Community Meeting Powerpoint (PDF)
Community Meeting Powerpoint - Español (PDF)
Community Meeting Powerpoint - Русский (PDF)
Community Meeting Powerpoint - Українська (PDF)
 

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Virtual Public Open House, Thursday, Jan. 27

Thank you to everyone who attended the open house!

To watch a recording of the virtual open house, click on the link below.
[video: https://youtu.be/X8gI5EUlXcU]

1.27.2022 Open House Presentation Slides/Visuals: Northeast 29th Avenue Intersection Improvement

More information 

Michael Tracy, project engineer                                                                            
Clark County Public Works                                                    
564.397.4946
michael.tracy@clark.wa.gov