November 2009
- We received ARRA funding for the pavement preservation portion of Stage 2. This allowed us to advertise that portion of Stage 2 to contractors on Nov. 2.
- We anticipate advertising the rest of Stage 2 to contractors in December 2009.
- We are continuing to design Stage 3.
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. 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 on the outer roadway. 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 modify the existing ramps at Bellevue Way SE to provide direct access to the HOV lane on the outer roadway.
Project Construction Stages (pdf 120 kb)
Stage 1
Improve westbound I-90, Bellevue to Mercer Island
Open to drivers October 2008
• Add a westbound I-90 HOV lane to the outer roadway from Bellevue Way to 80th Ave. SE
• Build westbound I-90 HOV direct access exit ramp at 80th Ave. SE on Mercer Island
• Modify existing ramps at Bellevue Way SE for two-way HOV operation
Stage 2
Improve eastbound I-90, Mercer Island to Bellevue
Design 2007-2010
Construction 2010-2012
• Add eastbound I-90 HOV lane to outer roadway from 80th Ave. SE to Bellevue Way
• Modify existing reversible HOV direct access ramp at 80th Ave. SE to an eastbound HOV on-ramp connecting to the new HOV lane in the outer roadway
• Pavement preservation eastbound and westbound I-90 from West Mercer Way to Bellevue Way
Stage 3
Improve eastbound and westbound I-90, Seattle and Mercer Island
Design 2008-2011
Construction 2011-2014
• Add a westbound I-90 HOV lane to the outer roadway from 80th Ave. SE to Rainier Ave. S
• Add a eastbound I-90 HOV lane to the outer roadway from Rainier Ave. S to 80th Ave. SE
• Build eastbound HOV direct access exit ramp at 77th Ave. SE on Mercer Island
• Pavement preservation eastbound and westbound from Rainier Avenue to West Mercer Way
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.
Project Benefits
• Safety. Reduces weaving and merging on I-90.
• Congestion Relief. Removes buses, carpools and vanpools from general-purpose lanes, resulting in improved transit schedule reliability and shorter commute times for all drivers.
• Environment. Adds to existing drainage and stormwater treatment systems to clean roadway runoff.
What is the project timeline?
March 2007 – Crews began construction of stage 1.
October 2008 – Stage 1 improvements open to drivers.
2008-2010 - Design stage 2.
2008-2011 - Design stage 3.
November 2, 2009 - ARRA funded pavement preservation advertised to contractors.
December 2009 - Stage 2 advertised to contractors.
Spring 2010-Fall 2012 - Construction of stage 2.
2011-2014 - Construction of stage 3.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Doug Haight
WSDOT Design Project Engineer
206.716.1108
haightd@wsdot.wa.gov
Annie Johnson
WSDOT Communications
206.716.1165
johnsan@wsdot.wa.gov
Roger Iwata
Sound Transit Community Outreach
206.689.4904
roger.iwata@soundtransit.org
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