Increasing traffic in the Soper Hill neighborhood shared by the neighboring cities of Marysville and Lake Stevens led to a creative solution. It began when Marysville officials recognized that the approval of new housing within its city limits was adversely affecting the intersection of Soper Hill Road and 83rd Avenue NE in Lake Stevens, and residents of both cities. 

The cities agreed on the need for a mini-roundabout at the intersection and negotiated an interlocal agreement. Marysville paid for and managed the construction project that includes property within both city limits. 

The project also added a 12-foot-wide multi-use trail on the north side of Soper Hill Road for pedestrians and bicyclists. This trail will be extended east and west along Soper Hill Road as additional development occurs to ensure multi-modal connectivity to sidewalks, bicycle lanes and trails within Marysville and Lake Stevens. The trail is separated from the roadway by a bioswale that retains and treats stormwater runoff from the roadway.

The best part? The project was completed this summer 18% under budget and a month earlier than expected. Final project cost was just under $635,000. Part of the savings is attributable to a temporary intersection closure proposed by the contractor, Reece Construction. That move saved $50,000, presented a safer working environment for the contractor and flagging crews, and sliced four weeks of time from the original construction schedule. 

“Reece Construction was very efficient and worked with both cities, Marysville and Lake Stevens, to build a successful project,” Project Engineer Kyle Woods said. Construction of roundabouts usually requires intensive traffic control. Closing the intersection avoided 1,030 hours of flagging, increasing safety for construction workers and for the traveling public who did not need to navigate through an active work zone during the closure, Woods explained. 

Nearby residents Courtney Criss and Michelle Vonderau commented, “The new roundabout is functional and beautiful!” and, “I’m happy with it, too! No more awkward turn onto 83rd.”