Another roundabout is coming to Clarkston — here's what to know before construction gets underway Monday

With a major road construction project in Clarkston beginning Monday, motorists can expect to see some changes in how they access this busy part of the city.

When completed, the intersection near Bridge, Second and Diagonal streets will feature a $2.3 million roundabout. Until that day, there will be street closures and other signs directing traffic through the popular shopping and restaurant area.

City Administrator Steve Austin said the roundabout should be done by the end of the year, if all goes smoothly.

“Improvements to this intersection have been looked at for at least 15 years,” Austin said. “We’re finally at the point to get it started.”

Public Works Director Ed Coffland, who recently took the reins of the department, said the end result will be “a huge improvement” to the city.

To avoid the construction zone, motorists can use Red Wolf Crossing or the Southway Bridge to get to and from Clarkston. The temporary mayhem will be at the gateway to the city, near the Interstate Bridge — known locally as the Blue Bridge.

Can you still get to your favorite restaurants? Yes. Bridge Street will have two-way traffic throughout the construction. You can still use Confluence Way to visit Costco and Walmart, but leaving that area to head back to Lewiston will involve driving along Fifth Street, instead of going to the stop light along Second Street near Tomato Brothers. Southbound traffic on Third Street near Motel 6 and McDonald’s will remain right-turn only.

Residents of the Lewiston Orchards and Elks addition are probably better off taking Southway Bridge to 13th Street to get to the stores and restaurants, Austin said. Asotin residents are also advised to use the 13th Street route to get to the Port Drive area, which leads to several big-box stores and prominent eateries.

The current east-bound lane of Bridge Street and portions of Second and Diagonal streets will be closed at the intersection during the first phase of the project. However, at least one lane of Bridge Street, going both east and west, will be available.

The city partnered with the Washington State Department of Transportation for the project, using federal, state and local funding sources, Austin said. The cost is estimated at $2.3 million, and the total construction time is 175 working days.

The existing configuration will be replaced with a roundabout that’s designed to handle traffic flows for the next 30 years. Multiple studies were done in collaboration with the Lewis-Clark Metropolitan Planning Organization to get the project rolling, the city administrator said. The studies outlined the traffic delays and collisions at the intersection, compared to other areas.

Keller Associates designed the project, and Knife River is handling the construction, led by Project Manager Justin Smith.

“The city recognizes the impact that this project will have on the community,” Austin said in a recent news release. “All efforts will be made to limit the inconvenience to the commuters of the Lewis Clark Valley at the largest and most used intersection in the city of Clarkston.”

Access to local businesses will remain open during all phases of construction, Austin said. Maps of the project are available online at clarkston-wa.com, and questions can be submitted to Coffland, who works at City Hall.

Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com.