Project Title & Location
SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project

Project Description
The overall project will replace the SR 520 floating bridge and associated approaches. This project is currently funded to complete the environmental review, including an Environmental Impact Statement through the Record of Decision, early right-of-way acquisitions, and design.

Contractor/Consultant
EIS - Parametrix Public Involvement - EnviroIssues General Engineering - HDR

Recent Progress

Environmental and Design:

1. Working with Co-leads to complete Draft EIS.  The milestone date for issuing the DEIS is August 2006.

2. General Engineering Consultant (GEC) and project staff scoping corridor design activities, estimated start summer 2006.  Expanding into new office space for additional staff.

3. Enhancing corridor Catastrophic Failure Planning, Phase 1 to be completed fall 2006.

4. Planning for the development of a Special Projects Construction Site that will accommodate the construction of the SR520 floating bridge pontoons.  Conducting data collection and preliminary engineering review of potential sites complete in April.  Final site selection is expected to be completed fall 2006.

5. Completed series of workshops with the University of Washington regarding 6-Lane design options.  Additional working sessions underway.

7. Developing a Quieter Pavement test project on SR520.  Proposed construction in 2007.

Right of Way Acquisition:

Appraisals of early right of way acquisitions underway.

For more project information see the project web page at:

www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520bridge

Design Construction Impacts

The anticipated start of major construction is mid-2009. The 2005 Cost Estimate Validation Process for the SR 520 project estimates the duration of construction to be seven to eight years and the total project cost to be in the range of $2.0 to $3.1 billion depending on the alternative and options selected.  The project has received $52 million from the 2003 Nickel Package and $500 million from the 2005 Transportation Partnership Account.  This money will be used for the completion of the Environmental Impact Statement, project design, right of way purchases and to begin construction.  Project construction depends on additional funding from tolling, a regional transportation investment, and other sources.

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement with a thorough analysis of the project alternatives and options is scheduled to be issued in August 2006.  The goal for the project is to identify a preferred alternative after the public comment period.

Impacts to Traffic
Traffic impacts in the corridor have not yet been fully determined.  Pontoons for the new floating bridge will be constructed offsite and brought in through the Ballard Locks.  The new floating bridge will be built to the north of the existing bridge allowing traffic to continue use the exisiting bridge during construction.

Draft EIS is scheduled to be issued in August 2006 followed by a public comment period during the summer.

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)

Nickel funds included in above costs

2005 Transportation Partnership Account