Fall 2012
- We are completing early environmental and design work for a new direct ramp from westbound I-90 to westbound SR 18 near North Bend. The new ramp would help relieve congestion and improve traffic flow at the busy interchange.
- We do not have funding to complete design work or build the new ramp. We estimate the total cost of the new flyover ramp would be $70 million. In 2005, we estimated it would cost $300-400 million to improve the entire interchange and widen SR 18.
We are completing early environmental and design work for a new direct ramp from westbound I-90 to westbound SR 18.
Why is WSDOT
designing a direct ramp from westbound I-90 to westbound SR 18?
A new direct ramp from westbound I-90 to westbound SR 18 would help improve traffic flow at the interchange by reducing congestion at the signalized intersections on either side of I-90. Drivers would not have to travel through several signals in order to move from westbound I-90 to westbound SR 18, which would reduce travel times for commuters and freight traffic. The new ramp would reduce delays for eastbound I-90 to eastbound SR 18 traffic; drivers would see additional green time at the off-ramp signal.
We do not have funding to complete design work or build the new ramp.
Ultimately, our plan for this area includes additional direct freeway-to-freeway ramps and imrpvements to help control traffic at I-90 on- and off-ramp intersections. We also plan to widen seven miles of SR 18 from Issaquah-Hobart Road to I-90. These improvements would make up the last segment of a multi-phase project to widen 21 miles of SR 18 to four lanes from Auburn to I-90. We do not have funding to design or construct these improvements.
The End Result
When this project is complete, drivers will use a flyover ramp to travel directly from westbound I-90 to westbound SR 18.
Project Benefits
• Safety – A direct ramp from westbound I-90 to westbound SR 18 would reduce the risk of congestion-related collisions.
Find out how previous SR 18 widening projects are improving safety (pdf 343kb).
• Congestion Relief – The new direct ramp would reduce travel times and improve traffic flow at the busy SR 18/I-90 interchange. The new ramp would relieve pressure at the signalized intersections on either side of I-90, particularly for eastbound I-90 drivers headed to the Snoqualmie Ridge community via eastbound SR 18.
• Freight Mobility – SR 18 is an important regional and national truck route between eastern Washington and beyond and Sea-Tac Airport and the Port of Tacoma. Improving the connection between westbound I-90 and westbound SR 18 will help keep freight moving.
What is the project timeline?
The Nickel Funding Package passed by the 2003 Legislature provided $6 million to complete the environmental review and preliminary design for the I-90/SR 18 interchange and early design for SR 18 widening.
Full project design and construction is currently unfunded. If funding becomes available, our first priority would be to complete design work for the westbound I-90 to westbound SR 18 flyover ramp.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
| Financial Data for PIN 101822A, 101826A |
| Funding Source |
Amount ($ in thousands) |
| 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) |
$6,000 |
| 2005 Gas Tax (TPA) |
$0 |
| Pre-Existing Funds (PEF) |
$41 |
| Total |
$6,041 |
|
The Nickel Funding Package passed by the 2003 Legislature provided $6 million to complete the environmental review and preliminary design for the I-90/SR 18 interchange and early design for SR 18 widening from Issaquah Hobart Road to I-90.
Note: Final project design, right of way acquisition, and project construction are not funded.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Engineering Manager Cathy George
15700 Dayton Avenue North
Seattle , WA 98133
Phone: 206-440-4774
Email: georgec@wsdot.wa.gov
WSDOT Communications Meghan Pembroke
15700 Dayton Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: 206-440-4704
Email: pembrom@wsdot.wa.gov
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