Date:
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Contact:
Denise Cieri, I-405 Deputy Project Director North (425) 456-8509
Amy Creekmore, Public Information, I-405 Project (425) 301-2023
amy.creekmore@i405.wsdot.wa.gov
Governor Chris Gregoire opened new lanes and an improved interchange on I-405 in Kirkland today.
When the $47.5 million I-405, Kirkland Nickel Stage 1 Project began construction in 2005, the Governor challenged WSDOT’s design-build team to deliver the project on-time and on-budget. Today, joined by Secretary of Transportation, Paula Hammond, she praised the team for meeting the challenge.
“The Kirkland Nickel Stage 1 Project is the first step to improve congestion along the I-405 corridor. Commuters will be able get to work quickly and spend more time with their families, and we will be able to easily move our products to market,” said Governor Gregoire. “We are delivering on the public’s investment – on time and on budget – to keep Washington moving.”
I-405 Project Director Kim Henry added, “WSDOT promised Washington residents that we’d deliver the Nickel. I’m proud to say, we’ve done it on schedule and within budget. And, there’s more to come in Kirkland – all the way up to SR 527.”
The project includes one new lane in each direction of I-405 between NE 85th and NE 124th Streets; three wetland restoration sites; an improved fish-passable culvert under I-405 at Forbes Creek; and three new noise walls. Crews widened the NE 116th Street bridge structure to accommodate the new highway lanes and future interchange and pedestrian improvements at NE 116th Street.
Drivers traveling through Kirkland to work, school, or play, will be able to get there quicker and with greater safety along I-405 between NE 85th and NE 124th Streets. During peak commuting hours, the Kirkland Nickel Stage 1 Project will increase road capacity by one-third to allow travelers to move through the “Kirkland Crawl” more quickly.
In 2003, the Washington State Legislature approved $3.9 billion to fund 158 transportation improvement projects across the state, identified by signs reading “It’s your Nickel, Watch it Work.” On I-405, three projects in Renton, Bellevue and Kirkland received a total of $485 million. With projects in Bellevue and Renton currently on schedule and under construction, the Kirkland Nickel Stage 1 Project is the first of the three to be completed.
WSDOT plans to make additional improvements to I-405 from NE 70th to SR 527 north of Bothell beginning in 2010 with the SR 520 to I-5 Widening project. In addition to the Nickel Projects, six I-405 projects are funded by 2005 Transportation Account funds.
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