Consultants tell Woodland Council roundabouts are preferred for Exit 21; environmental review could take years

WOODLAND, Wash. — Kittleson consultants told the Woodland City Council on Feb. 18 that a multi‑roundabout design is the preferred alternative for the Exit 21 project after a refresh of safety and cost data, but formal approvals and environmental review are likely to take several years.

Anthony (Kittleson presenter) said the project team has submitted a draft non‑access feasibility study and an intersection control evaluation (ICE) to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and that WSDOT is reviewing that documentation. “We revised the safety analysis using more relevant crash data that WSDOT provided us,” Anthony said, and the team updated topographic surveys and cost estimates to feed a new benefit‑cost analysis.

The benefit‑cost work, Anthony said, shows a favorable safety and delay outcome for roundabouts compared with a signalized intersection. Darren (Kittleson presenter) added that the design being evaluated is a series of three multi‑lane roundabouts — two at the ramp terminals and one at a local connection near the park‑and‑ride — and that updated geometric and design‑standard review is ongoing.

Why it matters: the project crosses or ties into Interstate‑5 and…