Council mulls its Tremont traffic options

The first major task facing Port Orchard’s newly appointed Public Works Director is to prepare a “forensic analysis” about the disposition of the intersection of Tremont Avenue and Pottery Avenue.

“I expect to explore all of the options and review everything that has been said so far,”?said Mark Dorsey, who began his job last week. “From that point, I will examine the scope of the budget and determine what makes the most sense.”

Dorsey’s analysis, which he said is taking up much of his time, will be presented to the Port Orchard City Council at its June 17 study session.

It is then expected to be turned into an ordinance and addressed at the June 24 regular meeting.

The intersection currently has a traffic light that is inadequate to handle the heavy traffic flow that passes between State Route 16 and Port Orchard.

The two alternatives are to widen the intersection, add turn lanes and enhance the traffic signal, or install a roundabout similar to what joins Bethel Avenue and Mile Hill Drive.

The intersection is located adjacent to a business owned by Port Orchard Mayor Lary Coppola, who has expressed support for the traffic light option. Coppola has said he will stay neutral in this discussion, and Dorsey said no single property owner would influence his report.

A motion by Councilman Jim Colebank in favor of the traffic light option was tabled at Tuesday’s meeting and will be addressed June 24.

Dorsey, 48, who replaced Maher Abed as Public Works director, is a Bremerton native with more than 20 years of engineering experience.

He is a graduate of Bremerton East High School, Olympic College and Seattle University.

He most recently worked in Port Ludlow and Gig Harbor.

Dorsey is married and has three children.

He lives in unincorporated Kitsap County.

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