Crews work on the roadbed at the SR 20 and Campbell Lake Road intersection on Fidalgo Island as part of the ongoing roundabout project. (Photo: WSDOT)
ANACORTES, Wash. — Drivers using SR 20 near Campbell Lake Road are facing a major traffic change as crews begin the first weekend of a 19-day lane reduction tied to a planned roundabout.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said Friday, Aug. 21, that crews will continue building up the east side of the SR 20 intersection during the weekend. Drivers should expect longer delays during heavier travel periods.
The work is part of a $3 million project led by the Samish Indian Nation in partnership with WSDOT and Skagit County.
“Remember, traffic will alternate until Sept. 4. Add time to your travel plans through the area.”
WSDOT, social media update
SR 20 Reduced to One Lane
SR 20 was reduced to a single lane near Campbell Lake Road beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17.
A temporary traffic signal and flaggers are controlling traffic through the three-way intersection. The lane reduction is scheduled to continue around the clock through 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.
During the current phase, crews are building up the roadbed beneath eastbound SR 20. The work will bring the intersection to the grade needed for the future roundabout.
WSDOT said traffic will shift through the westbound lane while crews work. Flaggers will alternate eastbound and westbound SR 20 traffic with vehicles entering and leaving Campbell Lake Road.
The agency is warning drivers to allow additional travel time.
New Roundabout Planned for Campbell Lake Road
The current lane reduction is the first major traffic impact associated with a project expected to continue through fall 2027.
The project will replace the existing three-way intersection with a roundabout at SR 20 and Campbell Lake Road, near milepost 46 on Fidalgo Island.
The Samish Indian Nation originally approached WSDOT in 2016 about improving safety and access to tribal property south of SR 20. The partners later expanded the effort to address safety and mobility at Campbell Lake Road.
The intersection has experienced a 20% increase in traffic over the past five years, according to WSDOT. The SR 20 corridor serves more than 18,000 vehicles each day, including about 1,000 trucks and buses.
That traffic makes the intersection an important connection between Whidbey Island and communities on Fidalgo Island and elsewhere in Skagit County.
Construction Will Continue Into 2027
The SR 20 Campbell Lake Road Intersection Improvements project is divided into seven construction stages.
Crews are also rechannelizing Tribble Creek at a WSDOT mitigation site east of the intersection. The new channel is intended to improve stream conditions for fish.
The current work will be followed by a five- to six-month settlement period from fall 2026 into spring 2027. That period is necessary to allow the newly constructed roadbed to settle before crews build the permanent roundabout.
Construction of the roundabout is expected to resume in 2027. Additional traffic restrictions are planned during that work. WSDOT estimates SR 20 could be reduced to a single lane for up to 73 days across the two-year project, including 19 days in 2026 and 54 days in 2027.
Drivers Should Plan for Delays
SR 20 is a vital regional route, so the lane reduction could affect traffic well beyond the immediate intersection.
WSDOT is urging drivers to plan ahead and expect longer travel times, particularly during periods of heavy traffic.
The agency said the current 19-day restriction is focused on preparing the east side of the future roundabout. Once the roadbed has settled, crews will return in 2027 to construct the remaining portions of the roundabout, splitter islands and approaches.
The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2027.
Why the Intersection Is Being Rebuilt
The planned roundabout is designed to improve safety and traffic flow at the existing three-way intersection.
Roundabouts eliminate the need for vehicles to cross opposing traffic at higher speeds. They also reduce the potential for severe head-on and right-angle crashes.
WSDOT cites research showing roundabouts can reduce overall collisions and injury crashes compared with traditional intersections controlled by stop signs or traffic signals.
For drivers traveling SR 20, however, the long-term safety improvement comes with a short-term challenge: navigating construction and lane reductions over the next two years.
For now, the message from WSDOT is straightforward. Slow down, watch for flaggers and temporary signals, and allow extra time when traveling through the Campbell Lake Road intersection.
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