Project Facts
- Braided crossings are elevated ramps that separate traffic
- Currently, this area of I-405 experiences 8 hours of traffic congestion a day
- Safety is improved by eliminating weave congestion caused by motorists entering and leaving the freeway at the same time
Overview
We will build new structures to separate northbound traffic exiting to SR 520 from traffic entering I-405 at NE 8th Street in Bellevue. This project also adds a new eastbound lane along SR 520 to separate the on and off-ramps between I-405 and 124th Avenue traffic. A new on-ramp at NE 10th Street to SR 520 will also be built.
Why is WSDOT
building this project?
The new improvements will reduce congestion on I-405 caused by northbound I-405 traffic exiting to SR 520 and entering from NE 8th Street. The project also eliminates weave congestion on SR 520 between traffic entering from I-405 and exiting to 124th Avenue. This area experiences up to eight hours of traffic congestion a day.
The End Result
The completion of this project improves safety by eliminating traffic weaves for motorists on northbound I-405 and eastbound SR 520 between NE 8th Street and 124th Avenue.
Project Benefits
- Safety. Improves safety by eliminating traffic weaves that lead to congestion-related and sideswipe accidents.
- Congestion relief. Improves traffic flow by relieving congestion caused by traffic weaving in the area of northbound I-405 to eastbound SR 520.
- Environment. WSDOT's I-405 Corridor Program team is designing the Northbound NE 8th Street to SR 520 Improvement Project to avoid and minimize impacts to the environment.
What is the project timeline?
- A public scoping meeting was held on September 20, 2006.
- The Environmental Assessment will publish in early May 2008.
- The Environmental Assessment Hearing is scheduled for May 22, 2008.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in 2009 and be completed in 2012.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. In addition to working closely with community councils and other local groups, the project team offers opportunities for public information and discussion. Please send the team an e-mail if you would like to be added to the project mailing list. You will be kept posted via e-mail on the project’s status and on further participation opportunities as the project progresses. Also, feel free to check this regularly updated web page for information. If you have comments or feedback please e-mail Steve Peer in the public information department for the I-405 Corridor Program at steve.peer@i405.wsdot.wa.gov.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT's I-405 Corridor Program team currently completing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the NE 8th Street to SR 520 Improvement Project. The EA will identify the project effects and mitigation opportunities, and covers up to 20 different disciplines, such as noise, air quality, fish and wildlife, wetlands, and parks and recreation. Throughout the process to complete the EA, the I-405 team is designing the project to avoid or minimize effects to the environment whenever possible. Our I-405 projects have benefits that improve the environment for people, wildlife, and habitat such as improved water quality, restored and enhanced stream and wetland habitat, and improving streams to allow for fish passage.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
The addition of the new lane and reconfigured ramps will reduce the number of congestion-related accidents as well as eliminate the weaving in the northbound to eastbound movement from I-405 to SR 520. Congestion-related accidents – rear-end and side-swipe crashes – make up the largest percentage of accidents on I-405.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
This project will not affect tribal reservations lands. The I-405 Corridor Program works closely with tribes throughout the environmental process to ensure that the project avoids or minimizes any effects on archaeological sites, tribal traditional cultural properties, and natural resources. WSDOT will follow an Unanticipated Discovery Plan if unknown archaeological materials are encountered during construction.
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the Tribes by using the process outlined in the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Washington Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
The NHPA was enacted to address the publics concern that many of the nation's historic resources were being overlooked in the public works project process. NHPA Section 106 requires government agencies such as WSDOT to evaluate the impact of all government-funded construction projects. Under the act, agencies maintain their own preservation program, and are required to incorporate advice from historic preservation professionals.
For more information, visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison Web page.
Financial Information
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $255 million
In 2005, the Washington State Legislature provided funding towards this project
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $255 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
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