WSDOT - SR520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project - March 2006 Quarterly Project Report

SR 520 - Bridge Replacement and HOV Project
*Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending March 2006*

Project Title & Location SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project	Project Description The overall project will replace the SR 520 floating bridge and associated approaches. This project is currently funded to complete the environmental review, including an Environmental Impact Statement through the Record of Decision, early right-of-way acquisitions, and design.
Contractor/Consultant EIS - ParametrixPublic Involvement - EnviroIssuesGeneral Engineering - HDR
Recent Progress Environmental and Design: 1. Amended Draft EIS to include jurisdictional/community sponsored design options including the Pacific Interchange, 108th Direct Access Ramps, Second Montlake Bridge, and Eastside Bike/Pedestrian alignment revisions. The project team is continuing the environmental analysis on these options. The milestone date for issuing the Draft EIS is May 2006. 2. Selected General Engineering Consultant (GEC) - HDR 3. Enhancing corridor Catastrophic Failure Planning 4. Planning for the development of a site for the construction of the floating bridge pontoons. Conducting data collection and preliminary engineering review of potential new pontoon construction sites is underway and expected to be complete in April 5. Continuing to evaluate potential use of existing sites with owners Todds’ Shipyard, Concrete Tech., and Duwamish/AML Shipyard for the construction of the floating bridge pontoons 6. UW concurred with workshops to evaluate Seattle design options 7. Other key activities include: Public outreach and developing design aesthetics guidlines Right of Way Acquisition: Purchases of two parcels in the Medina area are now being pursued. Purchase of these parcels is expected to close by spring 2006 For more project information see the project web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520bridge
Design Construction Impacts The anticipated start of major construction is mid-2009. The 2005 Cost Estimate Validation Process for the SR 520 project estimates the duration of construction to be seven to eight years and the total project cost to be in the range of $2.0 to $3.1 billion depending on the final alternative and options selected. Options are being evaluated for replacement of the Evergreen Point Bridge as a first phase project. The project has received $52 million from the 2003 Nickel Package and $500 million from the 2005 Transportation Partnership Account. This money will be used for the completion of the Environmental Impact Statement, project design, right of way purchases and to begin construction. Project construction depends on additional funding from tolling, a regional transportation investment, and other sources.
Environmental Impacts / Compliance A Draft Environmental Impact Statement with a complete analysis of the project alternatives and design options is scheduled to be issued in May 2006. The goal for the project will be to select a preferred alternative after the public comment period.	Impacts to Traffic Traffic impacts in the corridor have not yet been fully determined. Pontoons for the new floating bridge will be constructed offsite and brought in through the Ballard Locks. The new floating bridge will be built to the north of the existing bridge allowing traffic to continue use the exisiting bridge during construction.

Project Milestones	Scheduled	Attained	Milestone Outlook
Start Right of Way Acquisition	Spring 2004	Ongoing	Offers on two selected R/W parcels in the Medina area have been made.
Start Environmental Permitting Process	Summer 2005	Ongoing	Permitting discussions are continuing with resource agencies. No permits have been applied for or issued at this time.
Start Project Design	Spring 2006		Start of detailed project design is scheduled to begin in spring of 2006 and will continue through completion of the design phase of the project.
Issue Draft Environmental Impact Statement	May 2006		Draft EIS is scheduled to be issued in May 2006 followed by a public comment period during the summer.
Start Construction	Summer 2009		Project construction is partially funded by the 2005 Transportation Partnership Account. Additional revenue is needed to begin construction. At this time construction is scheduled to being in the summer of 2009.

Project Cost Summary:	Dollars in millions	Percent of Total	Planned vs. Actual Expenditures (Total Project Cost)
Preliminary Engineering	167.4	29%
Right-of-Way	17	3%
Construction	390	68%
Funded Project Costs	574.4	100.0%

Nickel funds included in above costs	52.3	9%
2005 Transportation Partnership Account	500	87%

For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Julie Meredith, WSDOT Engineering Manager @ (206) 381-6406 or E-mail: MeredJL@wsdot.wa.gov