Date:
Friday, July 27, 2007
Contact:
Carol Hunter, WSDOT Project Manager, 206.464.1219
Michell Mouton, WSDOT Communications, 206.464.1249
SEATTLE - The Washington State Department of Transportation has heard from many residents and Interstate 90 drivers about current and future transportation needs on I-90. Over the next few weeks, WSDOT planners will visit Eastside communities to learn more.
WSDOT, King County, Puget Sound Regional Council, Sound Transit and the cities of Bellevue, Sammamish, North Bend, Issaquah and Snoqualmie are working together to study safety and mobility issues on I-90 between Bellevue and North Bend. In May, WSDOT asked I-90 users and Eastside residents to help transportation planners by sharing where they run into trouble spots on I-90. Nearly 100 drivers and Eastside community members responded, pointing out bottlenecks, difficult merge spots and choke points along the highway. Overwhelmingly, people expressed concern with increasing growth and congestion in east King County.
WSDOT and local agencies working on the study will use the feedback to identify a list of projects that could improve safety and traffic flow on I-90. Throughout August WSDOT planners will continue to get more input from residents and drivers by staffing booths at Eastside community events:
Aug. 4, Snoqualmie Railroad Days
Downtown Snoqualmie
Aug. 11, Festival at Mt. Si
Si View Community Center and Park, 400 S.E., Orchard Dr., North Bend
Aug. 23, Bellevue Farmer’s Market
First Presbyterian Church Parking Lot, 1717 Bellevue Way, Bellevue
As part of the approval for the I-90 Sunset Interchange the federal government directed WSDOT to develop strategies for improving the I-90 corridor between Bellevue and North Bend that will address travel needs over the next 20 years. To help WSDOT carry out this requirement the 2005 Washington State Legislature funded the $2 million corridor study, which planners expect to complete in spring 2008. The final project list will be posted on the WSDOT Web site and at community locations in the cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish, Snoqualmie and North Bend.
For more information about this project visit the study Web site.
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