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Project Title & Location
I-90 Two-Way Transit and HOV Operations
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Project Description
The purpose of this project is to provide reliable and safe two-way transit and HOV operations on I-90 between Bellevue and Seattle, while minimizing impacts to the environment and to other users. The preferred alternative, R-8A, adds a transit and HOV lane in each direction to the outer roadways and maintains the reversible operation of the center roadway.
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Contractor/Consultant
None yet selected
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Recent Progress
A Draft EIS was published on the Federal Register on April 25, 2003. The I-90 Steering Committee selected Alternative R-8A as the preferred alternative on July 15, 2003. The preferred alternative, R-8A, adds a transit and HOV lane in each direction to the outer roadways and maintains the reversible operation of the center roadway. Work on the Final EIS is underway.
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Design Construction Impacts
With the Preferred Alternative R-8A the majority of the construction will take place within the existing I-90 right-of-way. The roadway will be widened where possible to accommodate the added HOV lane. This work will affect outer roadways, the center roadway, the median areas between these roadways, and landscaped areas between the roadways and retaining walls. Modifications will be made to the existing concrete barrier that separates the shared-use pathway from the westbound outer roadway. This work is anticipated to take place over a two-year period. Air quality impacts during construction are likely to be small in both magnitude and duration. Construction noise impacts would be temporary, mitigation measures to reduce construction noise will be included in the project.
Funding for construction requires either implementation of the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) or other new funding.
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Environmental Impacts / Compliance
The Preferred Alternative, R-8A, would likely result in full time permanent restrictions on flammable and or hazardous materials in the I-90 tunnels. No other adverse environmental impacts have been identified.
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Impacts to Traffic
No significant impacts expected until early 2006. Long and short-term temporary lane and shoulder closures will occur throughout construction of the project.
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