Date:  Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Contact: Janice Fahning, Project Engineer, 425-225-8799
Patty Michaud, WSDOT Communications, 425-225-8760 (Everett), 206-786-4079 (cell)

BOTHELL – Drivers headed westbound on SR 522 from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23 will see big equipment, busy crews and heavy construction near Woodinville Drive. Crews will place five bridge girders that will eventually carry traffic from I-405 to westbound SR 522 over the entrance to the UW Bothell/Cascadia campus.

Although crews can safely do this work without closing any lanes, motorists may experience delays as curious drivers gaze at the128-foot long girders being lifted by two 180-ton cranes.

“It might be tempting to watch these big cranes lift the 114,000 pound girders, but if you’re driving please focus on the road and remember that you are passing through an active construction zone,” said Project Engineer Janice Fahning.

Crews close left lane on eastbound SR 522 for big summer dig
Early next week, crews shift gears as they get ready to excavate a portion of eastbound SR 522 near the I-405 interchange. On Monday, Aug. 25, crews will close the far left lane. Drivers will still be able to continue to eastbound SR 522 by using the center lane. Motorists headed for northbound I-405 will also use the center lane while drivers traveling toward I-405 southbound will use the right lane.

“Although we’re closing the far left lane that is currently dedicated to eastbound SR 522 traffic, drivers will still be able to continue eastbound if they stay left,” said Fahning. “For a short distance, they’ll share the center lane with the northbound I-405 traffic before exiting back to eastbound SR 522.”

The 2003 and 2005 gas tax-funded SR 522 UW Bothell/Cascadia Community College Campus Access project includes improvements to help smooth out traffic entering and exiting the campus. Funding sources also included higher education funds, and federal funds, bringing the total project cost to $50.7 million. You can get more information by visiting www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR522/UW/.

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