November 2009
- Drivers should expect nighttime lane closures on I-5 during construction. Check the construction update report for the latest information on construction activities.
- Midmountain Construction contractor crews began work on this project on May 11.
- Community Transit opened the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center on Feb. 23. at the site of the old Mountlake Terrace Park & Ride. The transit center project is separate from Sound Transit and WSDOT's freeway station project. For details, please visit Community Transit's Web site.
Overview
WSDOT and Sound Transit will build a bus station in the median of I-5 at 236th Street SW in Mountlake Terrace. The station will have bus-only ramp connections to the I-5 HOV lanes. An overhead, covered pedestrian bridge will connect the station to the Mountlake Terrace Park and Ride. We will also bring the 236th Street bridge up to current earthquake-resistance standards.
Why is WSDOT
working with Sound Transit to build a freeway station on I-5 in Mountlake Terrace?
Sound Transit buses do not currently serve the Mountlake Terrace Park and Ride because they would have to merge across three lanes of traffic from the I-5 HOV lanes to the 220th Street SW exit and then onto city streets to access the lot. This circuitous route would cause service delays, increase bus operating costs, and increase the potential for collisions on I-5 from buses weaving between the HOV lanes and on and off-ramps.
The End Result
The freeway station in the I-5 median will provide buses with direct access to the I-5 HOV lanes without having to merge across freeway lanes or travel on city streets. Mountlake Terrace transit riders will also notice a faster, smoother commute.
Project Benefits
Fast and reliable transit service. Buses will be able to load and unload riders without merging across the freeway and driving through city streets to reach the park and ride.
Safety. Providing bus access in the median eliminates the risk of collisions from buses weaving between the HOV lanes and on- and off-ramps. We are also increasing the earthquake resistance of the 236th Street bridge.
Freeway efficiency. Transit facilities such as this help move more people in fewer vehicles.
What is the project timeline?
- 2002-2006 - We performed preliminary engineering and environmental studies
- 2007-2008 - We designed the project
- January 2009 - We advertised the project for competitive bids
- March 17, 2009 - We awarded the contract for this project to Midmountain Contractors, Inc.
- May 11, 2009 - We began construction
- Late 2010 - We expect to complete this project
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Amir Ahmadi
WSDOT Project Engineer
425.225.8725
ahmadi@wsdot.wa.gov
Meghan Pembroke
WSDOT Communications
206.440.4704
pembrom@wsdot.wa.gov
Roger Iwata
Sound Transit Community Outreach
206.689.4904
roger.iwata@soundtransit.org
back to top