Bridgeport Way, Washington

The Project: Bridgeport Way is a major urban arterial and it could be considered a Main Street of University Place. The project involved reconstruction of an existing five-lane road into a four-lane divided roadway over a distance of approximately 1.5 miles.

Location: University Place, Washington

Context Setting: Urban

Road Classification: Urban Arterial

Stakeholders:  Washington State Transportation Board, University Place Chamber of Commerce, Tacoma Power, local electric utility companies, FHWA, Puget Sound Regional Council, and Washington State Public Works Board. 

The Process:  The purpose of this project was to address the safety concerns due to the high number of crashes over the past years. At the same time it was viewed as essential to the vision statement of the University Place City Council that aimed in improving the quality of life in the community by creating a town center. An extensive public involvement process was initiated to solicit input on how the street should be redesigned. The process used design charrettes, public meetings, open houses, meetings with neighborhood groups, and one-to-one meetings.

Lessons Learned:

The flexibility and open mindedness of the council to develop a demonstration project for roundabouts indicated to the public and the stakeholders that their opinion is valued and is seriously considered.

The road diet concept (where a roadway with more lanes is converted to a road with fewer lanes) has worked very well by reducing crashes up to 60% for some areas and speeds by about 6%.

Incorporation of innovative designs for pedestrian crossings were also a CSD hallmark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridgeport Way Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridgeport Way After