This project goes from NE 44th to 112th Ave SE in South Bellevue.
Project Facts
- Adds two new lanes in each direction between NE 44th Street and 112th Avenue SE
- Additional regional funding required to extend improvements to SR 169 and I-90
- Construction funds available in 2015
Overview
WSDOT plans to build two northbound and southbound general purpose lanes on I-405 between NE 44th Street and 112th Ave SE in Bellevue. This project addresses a major I-405 chokepoint where the existing roadway is one lane narrower than I-405 north of I-90.
The $150 million in state funding needs to be complemented by additional regional funding to continue new lanes on either end of this project between SR 169 and I-90.
Why is WSDOT
constructing these new lanes?
High commuter traffic through this area into Bellevue and across to Seattle causes severe backups leading to five hours of northbound congestion in the morning and four hours heading southbound in the evening. The actual travel time per-mile on the Renton to Bellevue I-405 morning commute was the worst out of 20 commutes that have been studied by WSDOT. These backups can contribute to congestion-related accidents.
The End Result
After completion of this project in conjunction with the Renton to Bellevue Project, capacity on I-405 between NE 44th Street and 112th Avenue SE will have increased 100 percent with the addition of two lanes in each direction, resulting in faster travel times and fewer congestion-related accidents.
Project Benefits
- Safety. Increased capacity will reduce congestion-related accidents.
- Congestion relief. Improves traffic flow with the addition of two general purpose lanes in each direction (as part of the entire Renton to Bellevue Project) - a 100 percent increase. Travel speeds will increase between 10 and 25 miles per hour.
- Environment. WSDOT's I-405 Corridor Program team will design the project to avoid and minimize affects to the environment.
What is the project timeline?
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. In addition to contacting community councils and other local groups with which the I-405 project team is working closely, 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 updated 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 feed back please e-mail Colleen Gants in the public information department for the I-405 Corridor Program at colleen.gants@i405.wsdot.wa.gov.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT's I-405 Corridor Program has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Renton to Bellevue Project (including NE 44th to 112th Avenue SE Widening), which identifies the project effects and mitigation opportunities, and, covers up to 20 different disciplines, including noise, air quality, fish and wildlife, wetlands, and parks and recreation. Throughout the process to complete the EA, the I-405 Project Team designs the project to avoid or minimize effects to the environment whenever possible. The 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, 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 general purpose lanes and other improvements will increase safety by reducing congestion. 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 reservation 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.
Financial Information
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $150 million. These funds are designated at the state's match for additional regional funding.
- Other funds - $17 million
- Total funding from all other sources - $167 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
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