The city of Poulsbo recently received the 2024 Public Works Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association Washington Chapter for the Highway 305/Johnson Parkway roundabout project.

The award was presented in the Transportation (Small Agency) $5 million – $25 million category. Winning projects are publicly owned and promote excellence in construction, management and administration. The awards recognize the alliance between the managing agency, contractor, consultant and their cooperative achievements for the good of their communities, a city news release states.

The city completed the $20.5 million project to serve the east urban area and provide a regional connection for North Kitsap between 305 and Lincoln Road, to ensure public safety and promote regional economic vitality, quality of life, the importance of the environment, and the diversity of citizens through essential public infrastructure, per the release.

Along with the roundabout the project includes a new road connecting to Noll Road, a nonmotorized tunnel crossing under 305, a new shared-use path, native artwork, art installation and a Welcome sign at the roundabout, removal of a fish barrier on Bjorgen Creek, and construction, restoration and enhancement of 2.5 acres of wetlands.

Johnson Parkway is the biggest transportation project the city has undertaken. Construction started in January 2021 and finished in June of 2023.

The roundabout was funded by Connecting Washington Funds from the legislature, spearheaded by then state Sen. Christine Rolfes, who is now a Kitsap County commissioner. Other elements were funded by the city, Transportation Improvement Board, Federal Highway Administration, State Transportation Plan funds and city utility funds.

The primary contractor was Active Construction, Inc. out of Tacoma and the primary consultant was Parametrix out of Seattle. City Public Works superintendent Mike Lund, Parametrix senior consultant Mallory Wild, city engineer Josh Ranes, city senior field inspector Joe Smith, and city senior contract administrator April Zieman accepted the award in Vancouver last month.