Belfair was a very small town, if you could even call it that, about 15 years ago. There was a couple of gas stations and McClendon's hardware. It has grown rapidly since then, and so has the traffic woes. #60#
With the new Narrows Bridge being built, the region will see a population expansion like never before.
Belfair is also a gateway into Hood Canal from Seattle, Tacoma, and most parts north. To get there, one can take the Fauntleroy-Southworth ferry (from Seattle), or drive around via Highway 16 until you reach the exit for Belfair (Highway 3). Once in Belfair, there is a simple turnoff onto Hood Canal (Highway 106).
With all the recent growth in the area, that turnoff on and off Highway 106 is no longer simple, easy, quick - especially on weekends. A steady stream of vehicles can be found on the main road in and out of Belfair - Highway 3. That in turn will backup the line of cars waiting to merge onto Highway 3, causing major traffic delays in all directions.
Today's Bremerton Sun highlights what the Department of Transportation has been trying to do, and what its immediate options are to relieving the congestion. The initial effort was centered around eliminating collisions around the Highways 3/106 intersection, but was rolled back after people complained about not being included in the discussion, and the creation of additional traffic problems with their 'solution'.
What really could be the fix - a traffic light that has vehicle sensors - may not be able to be implemented if the anti-taxers get their way. I-912 would strip away the money needed to install the light and sensors. Steve Busche, assistant project manager with the Aberdeen office of the DOT Olympic Region, said an initiative to cut the gas tax may postpone installation of a permanent light, planned for next year.
If I-912 passes and the funding is cut, it will be back to the same old traffic problems in Belfair.
