Washington State Department of Transportation Update

You can always find real-time traffic information online or by dialing 5-1-1. To learn more about what WSDOT is doing, go to wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures videos, news and blogs.
SR 522 in Bothell gets a new traffic signal If you’re headed through Bothell on SR 522, be prepared to slow down and stop. Crews recently installed a new traffic signal at the intersection of SR 522 and Woodinville Drive. The new light is the latest safety improvement in the $50 million SR 522 UW Bothell/Cascadia Community College campus access project. In fall 2009, crews will reprogram the signal and open the roadway to the new south entrance of the UW Bothell/Cascadia Community College campus. For more information visit the project Web page at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR522/UW/.

Sound Transit seeks comments on light rail to the Eastside The Eastside is one step closer to finding out where its light rail line will run in the future. On Dec. 12, Sound Transit, along with the Federal Transit Administration and WSDOT released the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for East Link, which would bring light rail to the Eastside via I-90. They are evaluating the benefits and impacts of potential light rail routes from downtown Seattle to the Eastside via I-90 with stations serving Seattle, Mercer Island, south Bellevue, downtown Bellevue and the Bel-Red/Overlake area. The EIS also examines potential routes to downtown Redmond that could be built as part of a future expansion. Sound Transit wants to hear feedback on the study and has kicked off a 75-day public comment period. Five public hearings are planned in Redmond, Seattle, Mercer Island and Bellevue so people can comment on the draft EIS. The public review and comment period will continue through Feb. 25 and will help the Sound Transit Board identify a preferred East Link route. The draft EIS analyzes the potential impacts of the different routes and identifies ways to minimize adverse impacts. The preferred route will be described in the final environmental impact statement which is expected to be completed in 2010. For more information on the East Link project, a list of the upcoming public hearings and how to comment, visit Sound Transit’s Web page at http://www.soundtransit.org/x3245.xml#comment.

New bridge on I-405 open to traffic, bottleneck relief is next Last week WSDOT unveiled a new southbound I-405 freeway bridge over I-90. Early next year, they'll open a new northbound I-405 lane and an improved on-ramp. Two lanes of traffic have already shifted to the new 900-foot-long bridge. The carpool lane will remain on the existing southbound bridge. Splitting the lanes over the two bridges creates a work zone so crews can put the finishing touches on the transitions between the bridge and the roadway. In a few months the carpool lane will join the other lanes on the new bridge. Early next year, they’ll open a new northbound lane on I-405 from 112th Ave SE to I-90 easing a major chokepoint commuters have experienced for years as they travel north toward Bellevue. Carpoolers and bus riders will also benefit from improvements on the 112th Ave SE on-ramp to northbound I-405. The new on-ramp features a ramp meter and carpool bypass lane that will improve traffic flow on the freeway. For more information on this project, please visit the project Web site at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/112thAvetoSE8th/.

David J Edwards
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David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers