Swantown Avenue Paving and Safety Project
FAQ
What data do we have regarding bike ridership and the need for this bike lane?
In recent years the city developed its first Active Transportation Plan. This plan was adopted in 2024 and recommendations from that plan are now being implemented.
The feedback from the community showed a growing demand for safe and comfortable transportation options in Oak Harbor, with a focus on creating an inviting network for people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, and roll throughout the city.
Extensive community engagement and outreach was a critical part of the planning process, including focus groups, a Steering Committee representing various organizations and agencies, an online survey and interactive web map, and a pop-up event. Gathering input from residents, City staff, and community leaders, allowed the project team to understand local perspectives, concerns, and priorities.
The overarching sentiment heard from the public was that community members want: dedicated space for walking and biking, and separation from motor vehicles. With few exceptions, most of the comments received were about how people, including students from elementary to college age, do not feel safe walking or biking in Oak Harbor.
The Plan as an integral step toward enhancing quality of life, improving mobility and safety, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting local economies.
Active Transportation Plan - 2024-03-19-Oak-Harbor-ATP_Final-Adopted-41624
Will more bike lanes be added as we do future road improvements? Does data on bike usage support it?
You can absolutely expect more bike lanes in the coming years! You may have already noticed them on Whidbey Ave, NE 7th Ave, and Oak Harbor St. We look for every opportunity to redefine our city streets by narrowing lanes, adding bike lanes, enhancing pedestrian crossings, and slowing down vehicles, all to support the vision of making Oak Harbor a more vibrant, healthy, and sustainable city.
Public input has shown overwhelming support for adding bike lanes throughout the city, and the intention to bike more if only those facilities existed.
Will the reduction of the lane substantially slow traffic?
Slowing traffic is a great way to make other road users feel more comfortable. You’ve likely seen electric bikes and scooters zipping around town. Countless school children walk along and cross our streets. Many people walk to bus stops for their transportation.
It is a goal of the city to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes to zero by the year 2045 and make streets safe for all users.
Why are the lanes narrower?
Narrowing lanes is an effective tool to slow vehicles down and allow for other uses of the roadway space. Narrow lanes have been deployed across the city over the last few years where they are appropriate. The lanes on this section of Swantown are in fact not narrower. Due to the number of large truck trips and the new Fire Station it was determined that the 12-foot lane width should remain, rather than the now-common 10-foot narrow lane width. They may feel narrower as increased activity on the street requires your active attention.
Is there concerns about people in the left turn only lane going straight through and cutting people off?
The contractor is working to supply the appropriate signing to clearly communicate the traffic revision to a left-only lane.
They are also working on the traffic signal at Ft. Nugent Avenue and Swantown Avenue to reduce the wait times. The contractor is still completing their work to hook up the new vehicle detection traffic loops into the signal controller.
Where did the money come from for the project?
The City won grant funding from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) providing $400,000 for this project. The remaining project costs are paid by local street fund.
Remember how bad Whidbey Avenue was? That street was paved with grant funding.
Remember the goat trails along NE 7th? The sidewalk connections and trail were built with grant funding.
City staff has been hard at work to successfully bring this money into our community and address decades of deferred maintenance and provide community desired improvements.
Future…
SR 20/Swantown Road - Intersection Improvements
The Washington State Department of Transportation has budgeted $30,000,000 to make improvements to SR20 in the Swantown area to reduce traffic congestion and implement Complete Street standards. The design and permitting work may begin as soon as 2027!
For more on the “Complete Streets” or “Target Zero” standards they will apply:
https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/statewide-plans/strategic-highway-safety-plan-target-zero
Stay Connected
Just a few examples of the public outreach, community feedback and adopted plans are below:
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ISLAND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (IRTPO) FEDERAL FISCAL YEARS 2024 – 2029
https://www.islandcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7772/IRTPO-Adopted-RTIP-2023
Whidbey News-Timer
Survey planned for active transportation
https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/survey-planned-for-active-transportation/
City of Oak Harbor Active Transportation Plan Workshop - 8-17-23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Pf1wKnb80
[ARCHIVED] City is Holding a Virtual Open House for the DRAFT Active Transportation Plan
https://www.oakharbor.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=119&ARC=207
ISLAND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION - TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
https://www.islandcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02082024-706
OAK HARBOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN - ADOPTED APRIL 16th , 2024
https://www.oakharbor.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2284/2024-03-19-Oak-Harbor-ATP_Final-Adopted-41624?bidId=
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Comprehensive Safety Action Plan - Oak Harbor Open House - September 25, 2024
https://islandcountywa.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1952
The U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program
https://www.transportation.gov/grants/ss4a/faqs
City Council Resolution 25-18: Adopting the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and Establishing a Goal of Zero Traffic Deaths and Serious Injuries - Presentation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqhWU1L97pQ
Resolution 25-18: Adopting the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and Establishing a Goal of Zero Traffic Deaths and Serious Injuries – Council Packet starting on page 201
https://www.oakharbor.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05202025-496