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Commissioners designate county parcel as roadway right of way for Rosario/Marine Drive intersection safety project
Summary
Skagit County commissioners on Oct. 6 approved designating county property (parcel P19107) as part of the county road right of way to clear title for a federally funded Highway Safety Improvement Program project to reconfigure the Rosario/Marine Drive intersection; design continues toward a planned 2027 construction window.
Skagit County commissioners approved a resolution Oct. 6 designating county parcel P19107 as county road right of way to facilitate a federally funded intersection improvement project at Rosario Road and Marine Drive (Marine Y Drive).
Public Works staff said the intersection lies south of Anacortes city limits and serves as a principal alternative to SR 20 on Fidalgo Island. The project has secured a $2.6 million federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant (no local match required to date) and must be completed by Dec. 31, 2029 under grant conditions. Project staff described a proposed roundabout and related right‑of‑way limits; the county owns two small triangular parcels in the intersection that must be brought into the official road right of way to meet WSDOT local program certification requirements for federal funding.
Project manager Devin Willard said design work is under way; the team expects to complete design in late 2026 and advertise bids for spring 2026 with construction planned for 2027. Willard described typical steps: advancing stormwater and drainage design as part of the 60% plan set and minimizing impacts to large trees and roadside vegetation where practicable.
The public hearing drew residents from the immediate area who signaled support for safety improvements; one nearby resident told commissioners she and her husband often assist traffic when incidents occur at the intersection. Commissioners approved the conveyance in a vote; staff said final roadway mapping and subsequent design work will proceed.
Why it matters: The intersection has experienced safety and congestion concerns; the HSIP grant covers reconstruction to reduce serious injury risk. Designation of parcel P19107 as right of way clears a procedural hurdle so the county can certify right‑of‑way status and proceed with federally required documentation.
Next steps: Staff will continue design and stormwater work, preserve staging options within the right of way where possible and advertise construction bids in advance of the planned 2027 construction window.
