Date:  Monday, December 05, 2011

Contact: Jeff Switzer , WSDOT SR 520 Communications, 206-770-3547 (Seattle) or 206-819-7230 (cell)

Public also can purchase tolling passes, activate accounts

SEATTLE – A range of design refinements shaped by public input for the future State Route 520 in Seattle will be available at an open house this week, allowing commuters and residents to continue to weigh in on potential design elements.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E. in Seattle. The meeting is the third in WSDOT’s Seattle Community Design Process, which focuses on sustainable urban design of SR 520 improvements from Interstate 5 to the west end of the floating bridge.

During the meeting, planners will display ideas that incorporate public comments received at meetings in October and November. Several key features have emerged as planners continue to map out community connections, highway lids and bridge structure designs for the future six-lane SR 520 corridor in Seattle.

New design ideas will show ways to:

• Better integrate green spaces between the Washington Park Arboretum across and beneath the future Montlake lidded overpass to East Montlake Park.
• Create safe connections for pedestrians and bicyclists as they travel north and south on paths above and below the highway structures.
• Shift recreational parking beneath some elevated highway structures to create even more usable open spaces and integrated stormwater facilities.

In preparation for tolling on SR 520, meeting attendees also can set up a Good to Go! account and purchase passes during the meeting. To learn more about the Good To Go! program visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/goodtogo.

More information about the Seattle Community Design Process is online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520Bridge/I5ToMedina/scdp. Details about the new SR 520 can be found at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr520bridge.

Americans with Disabilities Act: The meeting site is accessible to persons with disabilities. Accommodations for people with disabilities can be arranged with advance notice by calling Amanda Whitesides at 206-770-3500.

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