Improvements Coming to Congested Intersection: 76th Ave. W, 212th St. SW

There are some intersections in Edmonds that you try to avoid if you can, especially during peak commute and school times. One of those is 212th Street SW and 76th Avenue W., which sits in the middle of Edmonds-Woodway High School, Burger King, Dairy Queen and Grease Monkey.

Problem is, sometimes it’s hard to avoid. Especially if you’re dropping off students or headed to SR 99 and I-5 from downtown Edmonds. The problem is the turn lanes, or lack of them.

Relief is on the way for the instersection called Holmes Corner.

The city of Edmonds is now seeking engineering services to complete the design and right-of-way acquisition phases of improvement to the intersection.

Both approaches to 76th Avenue W. have two shared lanes, with no dedicated left turn lane, and the left turn volumes are high, said Bertrand Hauss, city transportation engineer. The project looks to add left turns for all approaches and adding northbound and southbound left turn lanes on 76th and westbound right turn lane of 212th.

There will also be a westbound right turn lane on 212th.

The existing westbound lane on 212th Street SW has a high right-turn volume with no dedicated right turn lane. According to Hauss, an additional improvement includes widening the intersection approach to add a dedicated right turn lane. “This project will increase the capacity and signal operation of the intersection and improve traffic flow, as well as air quality related to reduced vehicle emissions,” said Hauss.

Additional improvements include sidewalk, curb and gutter, storm drainage, pavement, street lighting, signing and striping.

The $2.4 million project is mostly federally funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. There are also state and local funds, including $940,000 from the Puget Sound Regional Council.