PORT HADLOCK – Jefferson County residents will get a chance to learn about the number, type and severity of vehicle collisions on state Highways 19 and 20 during a forum next week.
The public forum, set for 4 p.m. next Thursday, is part of a state Department of Transportation study to improve the crucial north-south routes between state Highway 104 and the ferry terminal in Port Townsend through creating a corridor plan by fall 2009.
The open house will be at the Chimacum Creek Primary School gymnasium, 3133 Ness Corner Road, Port Hadlock. The school is next to the Jefferson County Library.
The study “is to identify solutions to improve safety and reduce congestion along the highway corridor,” said Nazmul Alam, Transportation Planning Office spokesman.
“We have seen it is a congested highway in our highway system planning recently.”
Highway 19 and a section of Highway 20 — from its junction with 19 to the ferry terminal in Port Townsend — are being studied in collaboration with Jefferson County Public Works, the city of Port Townsend and users of the route.
County leaders have said the study is needed to secure funding for future highway improvements.
The study will recommend improvements along the two state routes.
