Busy intersection to get new traffic signal

Bellevue will upgrade the traffic signal at the busy intersection of 150th Avenue Southeast and Southeast Newport Way.

July 15, 2013 3:41 pm
AS new traffic signal at the intersection of 150th Avenue Southeast and Southeast Newport Way will installed over the next few months in response to the recent annexation of the Eastgate area to Bellevue.
AS new traffic signal at the intersection of 150th Avenue Southeast and Southeast Newport Way will installed over the next few months in response to the recent annexation of the Eastgate area to Bellevue.

 

The wait for that long light at the intersection of 150th Avenue Southeast and Southeast Newport Way is about to get better. Bellevue will install adaptive signals, which respond to traffic conditions in real time and coordinate with nearby intersections, and add a short, northbound left-turn lane to the intersection.

Maintenance needs at the intersection also will be addressed with the project.

Construction will begin July 22 and continue through the middle of September. Construction hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

After Eastgate’s annexation into Bellevue, the Transportation Department began studying ways to improve efficiency at the intersection. Because of the “split phase” signal operating system, one direction of traffic was waiting at all times, resulting in extra traffic delays and backups.

During construction, flaggers will help direct traffic through the intersection daily and, if necessary, police officers will be added during peak commute hours. The Metro stops southeast of the intersection, serving lines 246 and 823, might be temporarily shifted to accommodate for construction, but will still be accessible.