| State: | WA |
| Type: | SR |
| Route: | 116 |
| Spur Type: | US |
| Spur Of: | 101 |
| Section: | 219 |
| Map: | Washington State Route 116.svg |
| Map Notes: | SR 116 is highlighted in red. |
| Length Mi: | 9.83 |
| Length Round: | 2 |
| Established: | 1991[1] |
| Direction A: | West |
| Terminus A: | in Port Hadlock-Irondale |
| Direction B: | East |
| Terminus B: | Fort Flagler State Park |
| Counties: | Jefferson |
| Previous Type: | SR |
| Previous Route: | 115 |
| Next Type: | SR |
| Next Route: | 117 |
State Route 116 (SR 116) is a 9.83adj=midNaNadj=mid state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, serving Indian and Marrowstone islands in Jefferson County. The two-lane highway travels east from SR 19 in Port Hadlock-Irondale across the Portage Canal to Indian Island and Marrowstone Island, turning north and ending at the entrance to Fort Flagler State Park. SR 116 was created in 1991 and follows the route of Flagler Road, built and paved in the 1960s.
SR 116 begins at an intersection with SR 19 in Port Hadlock-Irondale, located between Port Ludlow and Port Townsend. The highway travels east as Nees' Corner Road over Chimacum Creek and through the community of Port Hadlock before crossing the Portage Canal onto Indian Island. SR 116 continues east on Indian Island as Flagler Road along the coast of Oak Bay and turns north along Scow Bay onto Marrowstone Island, entering a wooded area. The highway continues north through central Marrowstone Island and passes through Mystery Bay State Park before ending at the entrance to Fort Flagler State Park.[2] [3]
Every year, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) conducts a series of surveys on its highways in the state to measure traffic volume. This is expressed in terms of annual average daily traffic (AADT), which is a measure of traffic volume for any average day of the year. In 2011, WSDOT calculated that the busiest section of the highway was its western terminus at SR 19, carrying 6,500 vehicles, while the least busiest section was the eastern terminus at Fort Flagler State Park, carrying 440 vehicles.[4] SR 116 is designated as a part of the National Highway System between SR 19 and Indian Island.[5]
A road connecting Fort Flagler State Park and Marrowstone Island with Indian Island and Port Hadlock-Irondale on the Olympic Peninsula has existed and been paved since the late 1960s.[6] The roadway was codified in 1991 as SR 116, traveling east from newly created SR 19 and was formally added to the state highway system on April 1, 1992.[1] [7] The bridge over the Port Townsend Ship Canal, also known as the Portage Canal, was retrofitted by WSDOT in late 2007 and early 2008 to add safer railings for pedestrians.[8]
