REDMOND – The quickest route to Redmond’s Overlake Village neighborhood from eastbound State Route 520 will soon take travelers underground through Washington’s newest tunnel.
The Overlake Access Ramp at the SR 520/148th Avenue Northeast interchange will open at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14. The ramp provides direct access from eastbound SR 520 to Overlake Village through a tunnel beneath 148th Avenue Northeast that connects to three new city streets and two roundabouts.
The ramp will also provide direct access to Sound Transit’s future Overlake Village station.
Background and benefits
Granite Construction, working for the Washington State Department of Transportation, began work on the $75 million project two years ago. The direct-access ramp addresses congestion at the 148th Avenue Northeast/Northeast 24th Street intersection that would frequently back up onto eastbound SR 520 during peak travel times.
The direct-access ramp bypasses the intersection altogether and establishes a direct route to destinations along 152nd Avenue Northeast in Redmond. The three new city streets—Northeast Hopper Street, Lumiere Avenue and Northeast Shen Street—provide access to other parts of Overlake Village.
The new interchange design also incorporates pedestrian safety improvements along 148th Avenue Northeast near the on- and off-ramps from SR 520.