The new Reith Road roundabouts in Kent are now open to uphill and downhill traffic.

The city of Kent announced the opening Jan. 7. Crews continue to work on curbs, gutters and sidewalks at the southwest corner of Lake Fenwick Road and Reith Road. Reith Road provides access between the Valley at Kent Des Moines Road (aka State Route 516) and West Hill at Military Road South.

The Kent City Council in April 2024 approved a $4.28 million bid for construction of Reith Road roundabouts at the intersections of Lake Fenwick Road and South 253rd Street. City Public Works Director Chad Bieren said the roundabouts are an effort to calm traffic and slow speeds down to make the road safer for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Instead of stop sign controlled intersections, the single-lane compact roundabouts are expected to improve traffic flow for people walking, biking and driving.

The city received an $1.59 million grant from the state Transportation Improvement Board (funded by the gas tax) to help pay for the project. The remaining costs were covered by a combination of monies from the city street fund (paid for by the city business & occupation tax) and city Transportation Impact Fees (charged to new developments and pre-existing structures with a major change in use), according to city documents.