Council briefed on agreements for SR 520 project

Bellevue City Council members Tuesday reviewed several proposed agreements between Bellevue and the state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) related to improvements on SR 520.

Bellevue City Council members Tuesday reviewed several proposed agreements between Bellevue and the state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) related to improvements on SR 520.

Bellevue is working closely with WSDOT to implement the SR 520 Eastside Transit and HOV Project. The five agreements discussed at the council meeting cover various aspects of the project, such as roles and responsibilities, funding for a city staff member to coordinate work on the project, the purchase and maintenance of new traffic signals and utility relocations.

WSDOT’s SR 520 improvements include: a direct-access interchange for transit and HOV at 108th Avenue Northeast; a new regional bicycle/pedestrian path along the north side of SR 520; a new landscaped bridge at Bellevue Way; a new eastbound HOV lane between Evergreen Point Road and 108th Avenue; and relocating transit stops to center lanes.

Other changes will be restriping existing HOV lanes to the inside lane; expanding the Evergreen Point Road Park and Ride; constructing three lids over the highway at Evergreen Point Road, 84th and 92nd Avenue Northeast; new noise walls and new culverts for the passage of fish.

Construction on the project, which carries an estimated total cost of $776 million, is slated to begin in 2011. The council is expected to give final approval on the agreements at its meeting on Sept. 20.