Over the next year, drivers should plan on waiting a few extra minutes when strolling through one of Gig Harbor’s busiest intersections.

Work crews are preparing to widen and improve the Highway 16 interchange at Borgen Boulevard Northwest in the city’s north end, with construction expected to begin Aug. 10.

Plans call for widening the one-lane roundabout west of the highway to two lanes and adding “slip lanes” to the roundabout on the highway’s east side. Slip lanes will allow cars exiting the highway to bypass the busy roundabout directly onto Burnham Drive Northwest and enter the highway directly from Canterwood Drive Northwest.

Marcos McGraw, city project engineer, said the $6.4 million in improvements will provide interim traffic relief to the busy north Gig Harbor shopping area while the city works to replace the interchange.

Gig Harbor leaders last year selected to rip out the roundabouts and replace them with an interchange controlled by traffic signals. The project, however, must be approved by the state.

The city must also find a way to pay for the project’s pricetag – estimated near $70 million – and officials haven’t produced a schedule on when work will start.

For now, the city is focused on immediately easing the interchange’s traffic. During rush hour, more than 2,500 cars drive through the interchange, making it one of the busiest spots in Gig Harbor.

“The main intention for this project is to increase capacity now,” McGraw said. “We’re trying to catch with traffic that’s already there.”

The improvements are the second phase of the city’s attempt to improve traffic flow in its north end, where Costco, new homes and a new hospital have opened within the last two years.

Last year the city spent $3.8 million to widen Canterwood Boulevard. That job required closing the road, and officials wanted to get the job done in time for opening of St. Anthony Hospital in March.

For drivers who are concerned about how this year’s work will affect their commutes, McGraw assured that the city will not shut down ramps, roundabouts or roads.

However, drivers should be prepared to wait up to two or three minutes when crews shut down lanes. If delays are too long, the city will offer detour options.

Mayor Chuck Hunter said the city tried its hardest to make sure construction didn’t hurt businesses, the hospital and residents. For example, some of the construction will occur at night.

He said the work will cause some temporary headaches, it will ultimately improve traffic.

“I believe that while there will be delays, it will be palatable,” he said. “People will be able to put up with it.”

Brent Champaco: 253-597-8653

brent.champaco@thenewstribune.com