Updates for Douglas/Bailer Hill Rd improvement project on SJI

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

The Douglas/Bailer Hill Road Improvements Project is well underway, and San Juan County’s Public Works Department is pleased to share progress updates and safety reminders.

Project Updates

The project continues to proceed on-time and crews are working diligently to relocate existing utilities and widen the roadway to its new configuration.  In early June the existing pavement will be removed, and the speed limit will be further reduced to 25 MPH for the remainder of the project while vehicles travel on a gravel surface.  It’s recommended that all bicycle and motorcycle traffic use alternate routes once the pavement has been removed.  

Crews will continue to manage dust and keep the worksite safe.  Single-lane flagger-controlled traffic delays will continue during work hours, with both lanes open to traffic during evenings and weekends.

In addition, please remember to drive slowly through active construction zones: 

• For their safety: you are driving through an active construction zone – obey flaggers and posted traffic signs.
• For your safety: excessive speeds may kick up loose rock into oncoming traffic.
• It’s your road: construction can move more quickly and safely when vehicle speeds are reduced. 

Project Details

The 1.3-mile project is anticipated to last through September of 2025. The existing road is remaining open to through traffic and the project is not anticipating a full closure or detour. During working hours, flaggers are managing single-lane access as needed and reopening the road fully during evenings and weekends. 

The project, funded by the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) and the SJC Roads Fund, seeks to:

• Eliminate horizontal and vertical sight distance issues by smoothing peaks and valleys
• Add paved, four-foot shoulders on both sides of the road along the length of the project to provide safety accommodations for bicycle and pedestrian traffic
• Construct a ‘Radial-T’ intersection leading to the Oaks housing development, eliminating the two existing ‘dog legs’ at the intersection that create sight line issues   
• Raise the elevation of Bailer Hill Rd to minimize seasonal flooding
• Improve roadway drainage with wider ditches and upsized driveway culverts for adjacent homes
• Improve stormwater quality by adding vegetated filter strips along roadway edges

Throughout the length of the project, vehicle speeds are reduced to 35MPH in the construction zone. This area spans from approximately the intersection of Little Rd and Douglas Rd, up through a section of Bailer Hill Rd. Signage will be posted.   

The Public Works Department will continue to provide updates as the project moves forward. All related materials can be found on the County’s website: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/278/Current-Projects  

About San Juan County’s Public Works Department    

San Juan County’s Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads. The department offices are located at 1609 Beaverton Valley Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Public Works Department, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/277/Public-Works .