Submitted by the Washington State Department of Transportation

Last Friday crews were able to open part of the Sharpes Corner roundabout in Anacortes, but the work is not done.

Drivers may have thought that since a lane was open, it was complete and congestion would ease. That is not the case and anyone who needs to head through this area, especially during the afternoon commute, should still expect long delays, especially eastbound out of Anacortes, while crews finish work on this project. Also, expect changes to traffic control from day-to-day. Make sure to:

• slow down.
• read signs.
• focus on where the barrels direct you verses following what the car in front of you does.

Crews plan to get a lot of the final paving work done, next week, so the asphalt meets the bottom of the curbs. There is no date set to open the second lane of the roundabout yet. Contractors are still doing curb, electrical, vegetation and drainage work. They expect to wrap the major portions and the big lane closures by the end of the month.

Crews will return in September to put down permanent striping, landscape and make any needed adjustments following the next couple of months of use and observation.

Following Fourth of July week, crews will reduce the four-lane stretch between the new Sharpes and Commercial Avenue roundabouts to two lanes for two weeks to do pavement repair and repaving work. These lane reductions will be in place 24/7.