WSDOT Studies New Plans for Gorst Area Traffic Flow

State Route 3 and SR16 in the Gorst area have been a traffic choke point for years. Both roads are essential for traffic flow into the Peninsula. The routes are also susceptible to liquefaction during an earthquake. Washington Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) Gorst Project is currently in the process of studying alternative designs and several issues to make these two essential land routes safer, with better traffic flow. Kitsap Environmental Coalition (KEC) is participating as part of the Community Advisory Group (CAG), which also includes cycling groups, area neighbors, and Kitsap County staff. The group has met three times to learn about the project and to comment on the preliminary design alternatives. The project team is also meeting with local businesses and the Suquamish and Skokomish Tribes. The project is funded for the design phase only. Once WSDOT has a final design, the next step will be to present the outcomes from this study to Washington State legislators for funding consideration.

Currently, four alternative routes with sub-alternatives are under consideration. Each alternative has Active Transportation   (AT) plans that include shared paths for non-motorized transportation (bicycles, walkers, wheelchairs, strollers). The alternatives focus on improving or going around the Sinclair Inlet pinch point. Open houses with area designs are planned for early 2026. In the meantime, comments can be emailed to: SR3GorstArea@wsdot.wa.gov