North Bend Public Works crews and King County have completed modifications at the 3rd Street and Ballarat Avenue North intersection, converting the previous two-way stop into a four-way stop configuration.
The public safety improvement project enhances sight distance for drivers, adds fresh street paint markings, and incorporates loading and unloading zone signage at the southeast corner of Ballarat Avenue. The upgrade also replaces original crosswalk signage with 30-inch stop signs and adds “All Way” signs below each stop sign for clarity.
The timing aligns with the start of the new school year, as Snoqualmie Valley School District welcomes students back on August 26. To help drivers adjust to the intersection changes, the new stop signs will feature orange flags for the first few months to heighten awareness of the modification.
The city asks for residents’ and businesses’ patience and understanding as drivers become accustomed to the updated traffic pattern. Community members with questions or concerns can contact Deputy Public Works Director Tom Mohr at tmohr@northbendwa.gov.
The intersection upgrade represents North Bend’s ongoing commitment to improving traffic safety, particularly in areas with high pedestrian activity during school hours.
[Information provided by the City of North Bend]
