Project Facts
- I-90 is the only connection between Mercer Island and the mainland.
- The I-90 express lanes carry fewer vehicles than other HOV lanes because drivers can only access the center roadway at specific locations.
- The westbound floating bridge (Homer M. Hadley) was completed in 1989. The rebuilt eastbound floating bridge (Lacey V. Murrow) was completed in 1993.
May 2008
- The northern most lane of the center roadway will be closed from 80th Avenue SE to Bellevue Way until late June or early July to provide crews with a safe work zone.
- Crews continue to work on the new ramp from westbound I-90 to 80th Ave SE. They began pouring the concrete deck in late April and have completed placing approximately 90 percent it.
- Visit our construction update report for details on traffic closures required for work on this project.
- WSDOT contractor crews will be installing electrical systems on the I-90 floating bridges through early 2008. West shore Mercer Island residents may hear minimal noise from this work. This is not part of the Two-Way Transit and HOV Project. Contact: Steve Strand (425-814-7105).
Overview
WSDOT and Sound Transit plan to add HOV lanes to the I-90 outer roadway between Seattle and Bellevue. We will also build new I-90 HOV on and off-ramps on Mercer Island and will improve I-90 HOV access at Bellevue Way.
Why is WSDOT
working with Sound Transit to add high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes to the I-90 outer roadway and new ramps on I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue?
I-90 has a two-lane reversible center roadway between Seattle and Bellevue for buses, carpools and vanpools only. Traffic travels westbound in the mornings and eastbound in the evenings on the center roadway. However, buses, carpools and vanpools that are traveling in the opposite direction of the center roadway are forced to use general-purpose lanes. This makes buses and other high occupancy vehicles traveling between Seattle and Bellevue run increasingly late during rush hours, and reduces the benefits of sharing the ride.
WSDOT and Sound Transit are teaming up to modify the outer roadways to provide an additional HOV lane in each direction. We will also build new direct access HOV on and off-ramps on Mercer Island at 80th and 77th Avenues SE, and we will modify the existing ramps at Bellevue Way to provide direct access to the HOV lane.
Project Construction Stages (pdf 120 kb)
Stage 1
Improve westbound I-90, Bellevue to Mercer Island
Construction 2007-2009
• Add westbound I-90 HOV lane to outer roadway from East Mercer Way to 80th Ave. SE, which will complete the westbound outer-roadway HOV lane from Bellevue Way to 80th Ave. SE
• Build westbound I-90 HOV direct access exit ramp at 80th Ave. SE (connecting from new westbound HOV lane on outer roadway)
• Modify existing ramps at Bellevue Way for two-way HOV operation
Stage 2
Improve eastbound I-90, Mercer Island to Bellevue
Design 2007-2008, 2017-2018
Construction 2018-2020
• Add eastbound I-90 HOV lane to outer roadway from 80th Ave. SE to East Mercer Way, which will complete the eastbound outer-roadway HOV lane from 80th Ave. SE to Bellevue Way
• Modify existing reversible HOV direct access ramp at 80th Ave. SE (This ramp is currently a reversible HOV on/off-ramp connected to the reversible center roadway. We will change it to an eastbound HOV on-ramp connecting to the new eastbound HOV lane in the outer roadway.)
• Add an eastbound I-90 lane between the East Mercer Way and I-405 interchanges to help drivers merge safely
• Pavement preservation (dowel bar retrofit) eastbound and westbound from 80th Avenue SE to Bellevue Way
Stage 3
Improve eastbound and westbound I-90 between Seattle and Mercer Island
Design 2017-2020
Construction 2020-2023
• Add westbound I-90 HOV lane to outer roadway from 80th Ave. SE to Rainier Ave.
• Add eastbound I-90 HOV lane to outer roadway from Rainier Ave. to 80th Ave. SE
• Build eastbound HOV direct access exit ramp at 77th Ave. SE (connecting from new eastbound HOV lane in outer roadway)
• Pavement preservation (dowel bar retrofit) eastbound and westbound from Rainier Avenue to 80th Avenue SE
Our Partners
This project is a partnership of WSDOT, Sound Transit, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration.
The End Result
The completed project will provide improved speed, reliability and access for buses, carpools, and vanpools on I-90. The direct access ramps will allow high occupancy vehicles to enter and exit the freeway directly from the HOV lanes without having to merge through the other lanes of traffic.
The project will also accommodate future plans to use the center roadway for high capacity transit. (High capacity transit is a public transit system, such as rail, that can accommodate large volumes of riders.)
Project Benefits
• Safety. Reduces weaving and merging on I-90. We will implement crash reduction measures to decrease the likelihood of collisions.
• Congestion Relief. Removes buses, carpools and vanpools from general-purpose lanes, resulting in improved transit schedule reliability and shorter commute times for all drivers. Reduces the likelihood of slowdowns caused by weaving or merging traffic.
• Environment. Adds to existing drainage and stormwater treatment systems to clean roadway runoff.
What is the project timeline?
1998 – Engineers began preliminary engineering and environmental work.
May 2004 – WSDOT, Sound Transit and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued the final environmental impact statement.
Sept. 2004 – FHWA issued a record of decision (pdf 2 MB) on the preferred alternative.
May 2005 - Engineers began final design of Stage 1.
Nov. 2005 – The project team conducted a Cost Estimate Validation Process® (CEVP), an intense workshop to study how we can manage or reduce potential risks that could add costs or delay the project.
Oct. 2006 – WSDOT advertised for private sector contractors to submit bids for building Stage 1.
Jan. 2007 - We opened the bids that we received from contractors to build Stage 1.
Feb. 2007 - Awarded $22.5 million Stage 1 construction contract to the most competitive bidder, Max J. Kuney Company of Spokane
March 2007 – Crews began construction of Stage 1.
July 2007 - Engineers began final design of Stage 2
Nov. 2007 - The project team conducted another Cost Estimate Validation Process® (CEVP), an intense workshop to study how we can manage or reduce potential risks that could add costs or delay the project.
Summer 2008 - Engineers will complete 90 percent design on Stage 2. They will leave the design incomplete until additional funding becomes available.
Early fall 2008 – We expect to open Stage 1 improvements to HOVs and transit.
Early 2009 - We expect to wrap up all Stage 1 work in the project area.
2017-2023 - We will complete design and build Stage 2 and 3. If funding becomes available sooner, we will accelerate the project schedules.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. If you have questions or comments, please contact us.
If you would like to be included on Sound Transit's mailing list for project updates, e-mail Sound Transit at mailinglist@soundtransit.org.
Environmental Protection
Crews will use standard environmental protection measures during construction. We will add to the existing drainage systems along I-90. We'll relocate existing drains and catch basins and install new ones to best manage runoff. We'll build systems to collect runoff from the new direct access ramps. We'll also build specially engineered ditches that will filter runoff and return clean water to the environment.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Without funding to widen the I-90 bridges across Lake Washington, the best alternative to make room for HOV lanes in the outer roadways is to narrow the lanes from 12 feet to 11 feet and narrow the shoulders. To ensure driver safety we will implement various crash reduction measures, including shoulder rumble strips, speed management, and improved lighting, signing, and incident management.
We will also take measures to ensure the safety of users of the bicycle/pedestrian path along the north (westbound) side of the bridge. We will install screening on top of the barrier on the floating bridge which will enhance protection for path users. Although the vehicle lanes will be closer to the path, the width of the path will remain the same (10 feet).
Will this project impact tribal resources?
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
We initiated and will continue consultation with the Duwamish, Kikiallus, Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, Suquamish, Tulalip and Yakama tribes on this project. This consultation identified no traditional cultural places in the project area.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership funding) - $30 million
- 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel funding) - $15 million
- Existing Funds - $6 million
- Other Agency Funds - $46.9 million
These funds are provided by Sound Transit. This amount includes funds from the Federal Transit Administration.
- Total funding from all sources - $97.9 million
- Unfunded Amount Remaining (Additional Funding Needed) - $114.4 million
The estimated total project cost increased from $128 million to $147.8 million after completion of the November 2005 Cost Estimate Validation Process® (CEVP). The increased costs are associated with added pavement restoration work required as part of this project, and inflation costs.
The estimated total project cost increased from $147.8 million to $212.3 million after completion of the November 2007 Cost Estimate Validation Process® (CEVP). The increased costs are associated with new standards for necessary tunnel improvements and rising construction costs.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
I-90 Corridor Director Theresa Greco
WSDOT Project Office
401 Second Avenue South, Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98104-3850
Phone: 206.464.1282
E-mail: GrecoT@wsdot.wa.gov
Construction Project Engineer Doug Haight
WSDOT Project Office
3241 118th Ave. SE. Suite A
Bellevue, WA 98005-4138
Phone: 425.649.4429
E-mail: HaightD@wsdot.wa.gov
Erin Bogenschutz
WSDOT Communications
401 Second Avenue South, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98104-3858
Phone: 206.716.1165
E-mail: BogensE@wsdot.wa.gov
Roger Iwata
Sound Transit Community Outreach
401 South Jackson Street
Seattle, WA 98104-2826
Phone: 206.689.4904
E-mail: iwatar@soundtransit.org
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