POULSBO — Crossing State Route 305 will become a little more difficult Monday as Iverson Street between SR 305 and 8th Avenue will be closed until Oct. 19.
During that time crews from Stan Palmer Construction of Port Orchard will be installing culverts under the highway.
At the same time, no left turns will be permitted at the SR 305/Lincoln Road intersection and access to Lincoln Road from the highway will be right in, right out.
The left turn lanes and that section of Iverson Street are expected to reopen Oct. 19.
Additionally, the traffic signals at the intersection will be inoperable during the culvert installation and SR 305’s northbound shoulder turn lane to Lincoln will be closed.
Poulsbo Police officers will be stationed at the Caldart Avenue/Lincoln Road and Caldart Avenue/Hostmark Street intersections from 6:30-8:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. beginning Monday, said City Engineer Andrzej Kasiniak.
“We’re going to have them up there in the beginning, but if they’re not needed, we’ll move them,†he said, adding that the officers will focus on ensuring the safety of students going to and from the four schools in the area.
Efforts to allow pedestrian crossing at the intersection failed, but Kasiniak said he is working to ensure pedestrians have enough notice before reaching the intersection.
“It’s important that we have enough signs, so people will be able to adjust their routes,†Kasiniak said.
Washington State Department of Transportation spokesman Jamie Swift said motorists are being asked to take their time and pay attention to the signs around the intersection.
“We’re not expecting any problems, and things are going smoothly,†Swift said.
If problems do arise, Swift said motorists are encouraged to contact WSDOT at (360) 357-2703.
Poulsbo Fire Department Chief Jim Shields said he doesn’t expect any impacts on emergency response times or travel routes.
“We can still go up Lincoln and down to the Village, so it shouldn’t be a problem,†Shields said.
Even so, the department will be monitoring traffic at the intersection as a precautionary measure, he said.
“So far we’ve had no problems with the project,†Shields said.
