A rendering of the planned roundabout for Fourth Avenue South and Willis Street in Kent. COURTESY GRAPHIC, City of Kent

A rendering of the planned roundabout for Fourth Avenue South and Willis Street in Kent. COURTESY GRAPHIC, City of Kent

Fourth and Willis roundabout meeting set for Feb. 12 in Kent

Discussion of possible road closures this summer

  • Wednesday, February 5, 2020 4:05pm
  • News

Residents can attend a brief presentation to discuss possible road closures during construction this summer of the Fourth Avenue South and Willis Street roundabout.

The city of Kent Public Works Department will run the meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12 in the Mt. Rainier Room at Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N. There will be a brief Q&A after the presentation.

Construction is scheduled to start this summer and be completed in the fall. The intersection will remain open during construction, but traffic will be reduced to one lane in all directions. There may be several weekend closures.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The project will cost between $4 to $6 million with $3 million coming from the state Legislature to construct the roundabout. The city also is seeking a $3 million grant from the state to build a gateway to Kent at the intersection.

The city has had two previous meetings about the roundabout and its impact to residents.

City officials said the roundabout is needed to:

• Improve intersection safety, traffic flow and efficiency for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles

• Enhance the landscaping to create a welcoming gateway into the city

• The roundabout is required for the city to get state approval for new northbound road (Naden Avenue) connecting West Meeker Street to Willis Street (SR 516) east of the Valley Freeway (SR 167).

The city has an agreement with a developer to build a hotel just north of Willis Street on the Naden property.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent male pedestrian, 45, struck and killed by vehicle

Man was crossing Monday night, April 21 in the 900 block of Central Avenue South

t
WSDOT plans nighttime lane closures in Kent on I-5, SR 516

April 21-27: Northbound I-5, certain directions of SR 516

t
Kent Police to host prescription drug take back day

Drop off medicines from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday, April 26 outside of Kent Police Department

t
33rd Legislative District sets Telephone Town Hall for April 29

District includes part of Kent; call hosted by Sen. Orwall and State Reps. Gregerson and Obras

Kent Police officers will carry the latest Taser 10 model produced by Axon Enterprises. The gun can fire more shots and at a longer distance than the older model. COURTESY PHOTO, Axon Enterprises
Kent Police add latest Taser model to officers’ equipment

Taser 10 can shoot more shots at a longer distance; department also adds dash cameras

t
Kent crime numbers drop dramatically in first quarter of 2025

All categories down compared to first three months of 2024; commercial burglaries drop 62%

t
Kent Police arrest man in stolen vehicle after short pursuit

Seattle man, 36, taken into custody April 14 at apartment complex near Kent-Meridian High School

t
Kent church reaches $1 million milestone for assistance program

Kent United Methodist Shared Bread Program helps people pay rent, utilities

Atena, part of a Kent Police K-9 unit, helped locate a man who reportedly fired three to five shots from his motorcycle at another vehicle April 12 in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
WSP plane, Kent K-9 unit locate man who fired shots at teen

Motorcyclist fled drive-by shooting on West Hill during April 12 incident

A house in Issaquah was damaged by fallen trees during November’s bomb cyclone. (Courtesy of King County Councilmember Sarah Perry’s office)
FEMA denies funds to WA for damage caused by 2024 ‘bomb cyclone’

Gov. Bob Ferguson says federal funds are needed to address $34 million in damage caused by the storm, and that the state will appeal.

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE., in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Person who made Kentwood High social media threat tracked down

‘Had no means to carry out the threat,’ according to King County Sheriff’s Office

A man places his ballot into the drop box outside Federal Way City Hall. Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of voters

Congressman reports law could cost Washingtonians over $361 million just to register to vote.