Date:  Thursday, September 25, 2008

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

BOTHELL – With the onset of autumn, crews working on SR 522 in Bothell know to take advantage good weather.

Crews will close eastbound SR 522 between SR 527 and I-405 in Bothell from 11:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 through 5 a.m. Monday Sept. 29. When the highway reopens in time for the morning commute, eastbound SR 522 drivers will travel on new, straighter lanes.

“This is a busy road - even on the weekend,” said Project Engineer Janice Fahning. “We recommend that drivers avoid the area and take alternate routes, but if you are traveling on eastbound SR 522 in Bothell this weekend, allow extra time and be prepared for a six mile detour.”

Drivers headed on eastbound SR 522 will follow a signed detour leading them to northbound SR 527 and southbound I-405 to reach eastbound SR 522.

During the closure, crews will connect the eastbound lanes to a newly built and lower roadway with improved visibility.

“We must do this closure to shift traffic but we recognize that this is an important road for the Bothell community and a key alternate route to I-5 and I-405 for commuters,” said Fahning. “Crews will work as quickly as possible to get in and get the work done.”

Ready for winter
Once eastbound SR 522 traffic is moved on the new lanes, crews will continue the roadway work. If they get enough dry weather to excavate and pave, crews plan to close westbound SR 522 next month and shift traffic onto new lanes. Crews also hope to finish excavating the 95-foot retaining wall next to the campus entrance and will place mulch and straw over it to help absorb winter rains and to prevent erosion.

“We’ll keep on building roadway while the weather is dry”, said Fahning. “When the winter rains arrive, we’ll focus on building retaining walls and bridges.”

Know before you go: visit WSDOT's Web site for updates and real-time information
Drivers can use a variety tools if they plan to travel on eastbound SR 522 in Bothell:

• Traffic flow map - Use the color-coded map to see whether traffic in the construction zone is heavy or light www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/seattle/
• 511 – This free driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information
• Construction update report – Get comprehensive, seven-day advance listing of lane, ramp and road closures www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/King/Construction/#522%20uw%20bothell
• Project Web page – The SR 522 - UW Bothell/Cascadia Community College Campus Access project page provides updates on crews’ progress www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR522/UW/
• E-mail updates - Sign up for our Snohomish County e-mail update list. You’ll get advance notice of construction activity on SR 522 in Bothell and around Snohomish County delivered right to your inbox.

WSDOT is working with the University of Washington and Cascadia Community College to build a new entrance to the south side of the Bothell campus. Crews will also build a new roadway for SR 522 (Bothell Way NE) from the I-405 interchange to Kaysner Way in Bothell. For more information and detour maps, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR522/UW/ .

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