Community Transportation
WSDOT has three alternatives to fix Gorst. Two of them involve a bridge
Three options remain for relieving congestion in Gorst. Two of them call for a new bridge over Sinclair Inlet, while the other would widen Highway 3 from two to three lanes in both directions.
The Washington State Department of Transportation invites those interested — which would include Gig Harbor residents who drive to Bremerton or Silverdale — to comment on the alternatives. You can do that via an online survey, email or at an in-person town hall from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at South Kitsap High School, 425 Mitchell Ave. in Port Orchard.
WSDOT is studying future options to improve congestion and safety in Gorst, the Kitsap County community where Highway 16 and Highway 3 awkwardly meet. The Legislature allocated $75 million to study improvements, complete environmental review, acquire right-of-way and conduct preliminary design work.
But no construction funding has been identified, according to WSDOT.
The department expects to complete the Planning and Environmental Linkages Study in spring 2027, followed by environmental review. Construction would not begin for years, especially since the project isn’t funded.
Three alternatives
In announcing the upcoming open house, WSDOT narrowed its alternatives from eight to three. Surviving alternatives include:
Alternative A: Widen Highway 3
Alternative A would widen Highway 3 from two to three lanes in both directions and add a path for bikers and pedestrians between Bremerton and Port Orchard. It would also remove a railroad overpass in Gorst and update driveway access.
Alternative A would widen Highway 3 to three lanes in both directions.
Alternative B-3: Windy Point Bridge partial bypass east
This alternative builds a bridge over Sinclair Inlet to connect Highways 16 and 3. The bridge would handle two lanes of traffic in each direction, along with a shared-use path. Alternative B-3 would maintain Highway 3 as an arterial through Gorst, providing quick access between Bremerton and Belfair.
Alternative B3 would add a bridge across Sinclair Inlet, but retain Highway 3 as an arterial.
Alternative C-2: Windy Point Bridge full bypass
This alternative would build a larger bridge to connect Highways 16 and 3, with three lanes in each direction. It would direct all regional traffic across Sinclair Inlet to the new bridge and repurpose the existing Highway 3 through Gorst for local access and “active transportation.”
Alternative C2 would add a larger bridge across Sinclair Inlet and reduce Highway 3 to local access.
Congestion and safety
WSDOT’s study found “significant congestion” is common through Gorst, especially during commute times for Bremerton’s Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. That’s no surprise to Gig Harbor residents who travel west on Highway 16.
The existing roadways do not meet modern seismic standards and are vulnerable to storm flooding and high tides. A collision near the Highway 3-Highway 16 interchange can bring traffic in an entire county to a virtual halt.
WSDOT also notes that Highway 3 is a national-security concern, given that it provides access to Naval Base-Kitsap in Bremerton and Bangor.
The in-person open house at South Kitsap High School on July 22 will include the same information as the online open house. The department does not plan a formal presentation.
Any future work on Gorst improvements would be in addition to current, ongoing culvert replacement projects in Gorst and South Kitsap County.