The City of Bremerton and the Washington State Department of Transportation are coordinating a planning study for improvements to the Wheaton Way and State Route 303 corridor in Bremerton.

According to the City of Bremerton, the improvements would be from Burwell St. to the city limit at Riddell Rd. and up into the unincorporated area to McWilliams Rd. The study will focus on improvement of corridor safety; corridor reliability; bicycle, pedestrian and transit connectivity; and increasing economic investment.

“The City and WSDOT are committed to providing a fully transparent public process and will be seeking input from residents, business owners, and other community members throughout the study,” reads a press release recently sent out by the City of Bremerton.

Parametrix Inc., an engineering consultant from Seattle, will handle the study. They began gathering data back in May, which includes traffic counts and signal operations.

The Stakeholders Advisory Group provides guidance and oversight for the study and the study management team. Members were selected from large pools of groups, people, and agencies that have a stake in the SR 303 corridor. SAG members include Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler, council member Leslie Daugs and Denise Frey of the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce, among others.

“Input is being gathered from the public regarding the problems facing the Warren/Wheaton corridor, and the unique needs of our community that must be taken into account as we plan solutions for those problems,” the release states.

An initial public survey yielded over 150 responses and in early June, staff conducted interviews with corridor users at various area bus stops.

An open house will be held Aug. 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the East Bremerton Community Gym for public feedback about the problems facing SR 303 and how to improve the corridor. An online open house will also be available from Aug. 5 through early September.