Randall Seeks Federal Funding for KP Roundabout Project

U.S. Rep. Emily Randall (D, WA-6th) is asking for $1.5 million in federal funding to help support construction of a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Lackey Road, Jackson Lake Road, and Key Peninsula Highway NW.

The request is one of 20 projects Randall submitted in April through the federal Community Project Funding process, which allows members of Congress to support local projects seeking federal dollars.

According to Randall’s office, the application for the project was submitted by Pierce County. If approved, the funding would help support construction of a single-lane roundabout at what county officials describe as a critical Key Peninsula intersection.

Pierce County Planning & Public Works estimated the overall project will cost about $6.2 million, including nearly $5 million for construction. The shovel-ready project is expected to begin by early 2027.

In project documents, Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello (D) said the roundabout would help improve safety and traffic flow while addressing long-standing concerns raised by residents.

“The Key Peninsula Highway is the only access route for residents and businesses south of the intersection,” Mello said in a statement released by Randall’s office. “Its current alignment presents significant safety challenges and can severely impact the community when crashes occur.”

Randall’s office said the request will next move through the congressional appropriations process, where House committees will determine what projects are included in future federal spending bills and how much funding each project may receive.

Pierce County Councilmember Robyn Denson (D-7th) said the project will move forward regardless of whether the additional federal funding request is approved, but the additional funding could help free up county dollars for other transportation projects.

All 15 projects Randall submitted for fiscal year 2026 funding were ultimately included in final federal spending packages.

The roundabout project was the only Pierce County transportation request directly affecting the KP that is included in Randall’s latest funding submissions. Separately, the Washington State Department of Transportation is moving forward with another roundabout at the intersection of State Route 302 and 118th Avenue NW. Construction is anticipated to start next summer.

Randall also recently joined U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) in announcing $15 million in federal funding for Kitsap Transit to build a regional bus driver training facility near Bremerton National Airport, about a 25-minute drive from Key Center.

Officials said the facility would help address transit workforce shortages and improve transit training opportunities across Western Washington. According to Kitsap Transit, there are currently no dedicated bus driver training facilities in Pierce, Mason, Jefferson, Clallam, or Lewis counties.

The funding requests will next move through the congressional appropriations process this spring and summer. House committees started reviewing transportation-related proposals in May, but federal funding decisions may not occur until later this year.