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
ESI / Design – Parametrix                                    Public Involvement - EnviroIssues

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 milestone date for issuing the Draft EIS has been shifted to May 2006 to accommodate full analysis of the design options

2. Enhance corridor Catastrophic Failure Planning

3. Updated cost estimates and project risks for the alternatives and design options

4. Received interchange concepts from the Local Impact Committee (Citizens Advisory Committee).  These concepts have been evaluated and the project is now awaiting feedback from the City of Seattle.

5. Planning for the development of a site for the construction of the Floating Bridge pontoons.

6. Other key activities include: Transit Service Planning,  HCT Accommodation, Public outreach regarding a possible bike/pedestrian connection to Madison Park, Section 106 (Cultural Resources) review, 3D Scanning survey for design level mapping, 3D Visualizations

Right of Way Acquisition:

Purchase of selected R/W parcels has been deferred due to the uncertainty in future funding and the pressing need to begin advance design work.

New plans of the existing Right of Way have been completed.

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 currently mid-2009. The 2005 Cost Estimate Validation Process for the SR 520 project estimates construction durations of seven to eight years and an additional $1.4 to $2.2 billion is needed to complete the entire project depending the final alternative selected for construction.  Options are being evaluated for replacement of the Evergreen Point Bridge as a first phase project.  Funding for completion of project design, right of way purchases, and construction depends on tolling, the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID), and other sources.  Funding from the 2003 Nickel Funding Package will be used by June 2009.  This project received $500 million from the 2005 Transportation Partnership Account.  This funding is not available pending outcome of I-912 election.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled to be issued in May 2006.  The goal is to potentially identify a preferred alternative the winter of 2005/2006.  Further stages of this project depend upon additional regional funding and tolling.

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

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account