The state of Washington contains many roundabouts at intersections in the state's road network. [1] [2] Modern roundabouts have been shown to improve traffic flow and increase safety versus other options such as traffic signals and stop signs.
The first two roundabouts in the state opened in 1997, near Bellevue and Tacoma. [2] By 2002, 25 roundabouts existed in the state. [2] According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, by 2017 the state ranked third in the nation in number of roundabouts built (behind Wisconsin and Georgia) [3] and the state had 430 roundabouts in 2019. [4]
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Name | Image | County | City | Location | Intersecting roads | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pioneer Highway / Fir Island Road Intersection [5] | Skagit | Conway | 48°20′24″N 122°20′24″W / 48.340°N 122.340°W | Pioneer Highway & Fir Island Road | ||
SR 9 - SR 204 Intersection [6] | Snohomish | Lake Stevens | 48°00′07″N 122°06′22″W / 48.002°N 122.106°W | SR 9 & SR 204 | Four roundabouts in close proximity connect the state routes and adjoining roads. |
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) faced resistance planning its first roundabouts in 1997 [...] WSDOT has since built more than 200 roundabouts and plans several more as part of the State's continued focus on road user safety and congestion reduction.
At least 600 roundabouts have been built in the United States since 1990. But the modern incarnation of traffic circles is still a novelty in this state, where the first two opened in 1997 in the Bellevue and Tacoma areas. Now 25 are in place, with many more in the works.
If you count the number of roundabouts then Washington is among the top three circle-happy states in the nation, after Wisconsin and Georgia.
Washington state has 430 roundabouts, more than 80 multilane, said Brian Walsh, state traffic design engineer. Seattle has none.
The state of Washington contains many roundabouts at intersections in the state's road network. [1] [2] Modern roundabouts have been shown to improve traffic flow and increase safety versus other options such as traffic signals and stop signs.
The first two roundabouts in the state opened in 1997, near Bellevue and Tacoma. [2] By 2002, 25 roundabouts existed in the state. [2] According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, by 2017 the state ranked third in the nation in number of roundabouts built (behind Wisconsin and Georgia) [3] and the state had 430 roundabouts in 2019. [4]
![]() |
Name | Image | County | City | Location | Intersecting roads | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pioneer Highway / Fir Island Road Intersection [5] | Skagit | Conway | 48°20′24″N 122°20′24″W / 48.340°N 122.340°W | Pioneer Highway & Fir Island Road | ||
SR 9 - SR 204 Intersection [6] | Snohomish | Lake Stevens | 48°00′07″N 122°06′22″W / 48.002°N 122.106°W | SR 9 & SR 204 | Four roundabouts in close proximity connect the state routes and adjoining roads. |
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) faced resistance planning its first roundabouts in 1997 [...] WSDOT has since built more than 200 roundabouts and plans several more as part of the State's continued focus on road user safety and congestion reduction.
At least 600 roundabouts have been built in the United States since 1990. But the modern incarnation of traffic circles is still a novelty in this state, where the first two opened in 1997 in the Bellevue and Tacoma areas. Now 25 are in place, with many more in the works.
If you count the number of roundabouts then Washington is among the top three circle-happy states in the nation, after Wisconsin and Georgia.
Washington state has 430 roundabouts, more than 80 multilane, said Brian Walsh, state traffic design engineer. Seattle has none.