Annual street repaving begins in Bellevue

Crews will begin work this week on the city’s annual overlay program to repave streets most in need of attention.

The project is scheduled to begin today and end in October. This year, 27.5 lane miles of residential roadway and one mile of arterial streets are scheduled for repaving at 82 different locations. Since the program began in 1991, more than 550 lane miles of roadway have been repaved. The city repaves streets on a regular schedule designed to do the work before more costly repairs are needed.

This year, work will take place in Bellevue’s mid-section, roughly between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, and from Interstate 90 north to Bel-Red Road. The first projects start west of Bellevue Way and generally workers will move in a clockwise direction, repaving streets in the Wilburton, Overlake, Lake Hills, Eastgate and Woodridge neighborhoods.

Next year, the overlay program will address needs south of I-90. Last year work took place in the city’s north end. Projects are concentrated in geographic areas to reduce costs.

During an overlay operation, old asphalt is planed down so the new overlay will match the concrete curb and gutter. A week or so later, a paving machine lays down two inches of new asphalt, followed by a heavy roller that presses the asphalt into place. Informational signs and “No Parking” signs will be used to inform residents about repaving work.

If a roadway is neglected for too long, all of the old asphalt must be removed, then replaced by about eight inches of new asphalt. This complete rebuild can cost up to three times as much as an overlay.

The contract for this year’s repaving work, awarded to Lakeside Industries, is for $2.92 million. In coordination with this year’s overlay program, the city also will construct 79 curb ramps at a cost of $511,000 as part of an ongoing effort to comply with requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Last year, a record 211 new ramps were installed.

A map showing the location of this year’s overlay projects. Questions may be addressed to Teresa Becker at 425.452. 7942 or tbecker@bellevuewa.gov.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.