I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project

Project overview

The I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project lies primarily in Bothell on Interstate 405 (I-405), starting just south of the State Route 522 interchange and ending at the SR 527 interchange. WSDOT, Sound Transit, and design-build contractor Skanska USA Inc., will work to enhance four and a half miles of the corridor in the area, focusing on improving transportation mobility and reliability throughout the region.

Improvements will include increased express toll lane (ETL) capacity and direct access to state highways. This includes building one new express toll lane in each direction between south of SR 522 and SR 527 (extending the existing dual express toll lane system), widening I-405 through the SR 522 interchange, and building direct access ramps to the express toll lanes at SR 522, and a partial direct access interchange at SR 527 to and from the south connecting to the Canyon Park Park and Ride.

We will also improve connections to regional transit service at both the UW Bothell Station (SR 522) and the park and ride at Canyon Park (SR 527) and add a new transit-only Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station to connect to Sound Transit’s BRT service along the I-405 corridor, improving connections to the existing park and ride.

The project will include additional local roadway improvements, fish barrier corrections, noise walls, and new stormwater facilities.

Timeline

The project is expected to complete construction in 2028 in alignment with Sound Transit Bus Rapid Transit.

Project status

Pre-construction

Funding

$834 Million

Project hotline

425-354-3232

What to expect

Speed limit is 35 MPH through the work zone on SR 522

For all travelers on SR 522, the speed limit near the I-405 interchange is now 35 miles per hour. This speed limit change will ensure safety for both drivers and construction crews through the work zone and accommodate the future traffic configuration.

Why did we reduce the speed on SR 522? The I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project will include three new traffic signals on SR 522.

The new traffic signals will allow access for regional transit services to a new Stride Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stop and direct access in and out of the Express Toll Lanes (ETL) system for transit and ETL users. The signals will be operated by WSDOT and timed to work together to make sure traffic is flowing smoothly.

We have a lot of helpful resources on our website that can make your plans much easier, including our blog, real-time travel map, email alerts, our WSDOT app, and more.

Activities to prepare project sites for construction began in the fall of 2023 and will continue throughout the winter of 2024. These activities include field surveys, potholing and geotechnical borings, plant and tree removal, and adding signage around the project areas and on the Sammamish River Trail.

Active project construction began Spring of 2024.

Upcoming construction work

As early as March 4, crews will remove trees and vegetation to clear a section of the hillside area directly east of the I-405 northbound off-ramp to SR 522 to access future construction work areas. This work will be completed during daytime hours between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and nighttime hours between 11:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.

Upcoming I-405 ramp and lane closures

Highway lane closures:

Thursday, April 25 to Friday, April 26 The right general-purpose lane and shoulder of southbound I-405 from milepost 23.5 to milepost 21.43 will be closed nightly from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Monday, April 22 to Friday, April 26: The right general-purpose lane and shoulder of northbound I-405 from milepost 24.2 to milepost 27.05 will be closed nightly from 8:30 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Thursday, April 25 to Friday, April 26: The left express toll lane and shoulder of northbound I-405 from milepost 21.5 to milepost 23.5 will be closed nightly from 8 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 25 to Friday, April 26: The left express toll lane and shoulder of northbound I-405 from milepost 24.1 to milepost 27.1 will be closed nightly from 8 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.
Monday, April 22 to Thursday, April 25: The right off-ramp lane and shoulder of southbound I-405 from milepost 27.1 to milepost 26.8 will be closed nightly from 10:30 p.m. – 4 a.m.
Tuesday, April 23 to Thursday, April 25: The right collector distributor lane between Northeast 160th Street and SR 522 for the Northeast 160th on-ramp and northbound I-405 off-ramps to eastbound/westbound SR 522 ramps will be closed nightly from 3 a.m. – 5 a.m.
Tuesday, April 23 to Thursday, April 25: The left collector distributor lane between Northeast 160th Street and SR 522 from northbound I-405 off-ramp to eastbound/westbound SR 522 ramps will be closed nightly from 3 a.m. – 5 a.m.

Highway ramp closures:

Wednesday, April 24 to Friday, April 26: The eastbound SR 522 to southbound I-405 ramp to the right general-purpose lane and shoulder of southbound I-405 from milepost 23.5 to milepost 21.43 will be closed nightly from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Monday, April 22 to Friday, April 26: The right collector distributor lane between Northeast 160th Street and SR 522 for the Northeast 160th on-ramp and northbound I-405 off-ramps to eastbound/westbound SR 522 ramps will be closed nightly from 3 a.m. – 5 a.m. The Northeast 160th Street on-ramp to northbound I-405 and SR 522 will be closed.
Monday, April 22 to Tuesday, April 23: The left collector distributor lane between Northeast 160th Street and SR 522 from northbound I-405 off-ramp to eastbound/westbound SR 522 ramps will be closed nightly from 3 a.m. – 5 a.m. The northbound I-405 off-ramp to SR 522 will be closed.

View full image

Map of I-405 showing the area that will be improved, from SR 522 to SR 527, highlighted in orange.

History and background

Overview

The 50-mile I-405/SR 167 corridor serves a rapidly growing region from Lynnwood to Puyallup. As the area exceeds projected population growth, attracts large businesses, and creates more jobs, the demand for transportation systems continues to increase. To meet this growing demand, we continue a 20-year history of working with cities, counties, the Legislature, and transit agencies along the corridor to carry out the long-term master plan vision for transportation along this important north-south corridor.

A major part of the I-405 master plan includes building a corridor-wide express toll lane (ETL) system from Puyallup to Lynnwood and supporting a high-capacity transit system called Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Improvements to our I-405/SR 167 corridor and implementing Sound Transit’s I-405 Stride BRT system are essential to the region’s transportation network, readiness for growth, and quality of life.

I-405 Express Toll Lanes (ETLs)

In 2015, we launched ETLs between Bellevue and Lynnwood with two ETLs in each direction between Northeast Sixth Street in Bellevue and just south of the SR 522 interchange in Bothell and a single ETL between SR 522 and I-5. While express toll lanes have helped reduce traffic and improve reliability on the north end of the I-405 corridor, the single-lane section still experiences heavy congestion, especially for people traveling south during the morning commute.

The Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project aims to relieve some of that pressure by adding an additional express toll lane in each direction in this area. Consistent with the long-term Master Plan for the corridor, we are moving forward with these additional improvements to mobility and reliability on I-405 in Bothell and south Snohomish County.

Sound Transit Stride Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

We have worked closely with the City of Bothell and Sound Transit to design the new inline BRT station at the Brickyard Park and Ride in Bothell. This BRT station will integrate with the voter-approved BRT service along I-405. This work will include shifting the park-and-ride facility station to an inline station at Brickyard, enabling BRT vehicles to travel exclusively in the new ETLs between Lynnwood and Bellevue, increasing service reliability, and decreasing BRT travel times. This new system will not only make transit more reliable but also offer better transportation options for everyone who uses I-405.

Economic contributions

The project will contribute to economic growth in the region by investing in key Bothell destinations and employment centers, including the University of Washington (UW) Bothell/Cascadia College campus, two business parks, a commercial center with a variety of businesses, and residential development. It also supports the city of Bothell's efforts to update the Canyon Park subarea plan, which notes the importance of WSDOT and Sound Transit transportation investments in this area.

Milestone

2019

Funding allocated for the project

July 2021

Environmental decision document – a Finding of No Significant Impact

July 2023

Project team awarded the design-build contract to Skanska USA, Inc.

Winter 2023

Construction activities start

Spring 2028

Expected project completion

In 2019, the Legislature intended to fund capacity improvements between SR 522 and SR 527 through bonded toll revenue.

The revenue reductions felt by the pandemic have impacted toll revenue available to fund this project. In 2021, the Legislature included two budget provisos, directing us to conduct a financial analysis presenting options for funding and phasing corridor projects, including options to construct the SR 522 to SR 527 capacity improvements project to attempt to align with the anticipated deployment of bus rapid transit on the corridor. The program team submitted the final report to the Legislature in December 2021.

In 2022, the Legislature approved both the 2022 Supplemental Transportation Budget and the $16.8 billion Move Ahead Washington transportation package, which collectively designated $380 million to the I-405/SR 167 program. Along with the Legislature’s approval of an additional approximately $70 million in sales tax deferral, the previous $450 million funding gap has now been addressed. This critical funding allowed us to move forward with several critical projects throughout the corridor, including the Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project.

Map of the SR 522 construction areas and the detour route via I-405

This is a visualization of the future improvements to the SR 522 interchange area. The improvements include a new center direct access ramp to I-405 express toll lanes, a new bridge for northbound I-405 traffic, and dual southbound I-405 express toll lanes on existing northbound structure.

Aerial view of new SR 522 and I-405 Interchange — This is a visual rendering of the SR522 Interchange, seen from above. The rendering shows existing and proposed changes to the roadway, including the addition of an express toll lane and general purpose lane. The rendering also shows the existing bridges and roads, new bridges and roads, and nonmotorized connections.

Aerial view of new inline BRT station at Brickyard Park and Ride. — This is a visual rendering showing the design concept of the inline Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station on I-405 at the Brickyard Park and Ride station. Please note, this is a conceptual design and details are subject to change.

This is a visualization of the proposed improvements to the SR 527 interchange. The project improvements include reconstructing a portion of the pedestrian bridge, reconfiguring the Canyon Park park and ride lot, and constructing new direct access ramps and inline transit stations. — This is a visualization of the proposed improvements to the SR 527 interchange. The project improvements include reconstructing a portion of the pedestrian bridge, reconfiguring the Canyon Park Park and Ride lot, and constructing new direct access ramps and inline transit stations.

Meetings and briefings

Spring 2024, Community webinar - April 2, 2024

On Tuesday, April 2, representatives from WSDOT and Skanska hosted a community webinar. The meeting focused on current project status, project schedule, construction expectations in the area, an update on the SR 522 permanent speed limit change near the I-405/SR 522 interchange, and how the public can stay informed and contact the project team. There was also a question-and-answer segment at the end of the presentation. This video is a recording of the meeting.

Meeting recording
Meeting slides (PDF 1.59 MB)

WSDOT

I-405/SR 167 Corridor Program

The Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project is one project that makes up the I-405/SR 167 Corridor Program.

Environmental Assessment (PDF 3.6MB)

WSDOT and the Federal Highway Administration published the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the I-405/SR 522 Vicinity to SR 527 Express Toll Lanes Improvement Project on July 2, 2020. The EA describes the purpose and need of the project and provides to the public and decision-makers about the environmental effects and benefits of the project.

Finding of No Significant Impact (PDF 5.5MB)

WSDOT and the Federal Highway Administration issued the Finding of No Significant Impact and Errata for the I-405, SR 522 Vicinity to SR 527 Express Toll Lanes Improvement Project on July 29, 2021.

Sound Transit

About Stride Bus Rapid Transit

Sound Transit's Stride bus rapid transit is a new fast, frequent and reliable bus service connecting to light rail and to communities north, east and south of Lake Washington.

We are here to help!

To stay updated on this project, we encourage people to download the WSDOT app and sign up for our newsletter by emailing I405SR167Program@wsdot.wa.gov.

You can also call our project hotline at 425-456-8585 for general project information.

For construction-related question, you can call our construction hotline at 425-354-3232.

Stride Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) questions

For general questions about Sound Transit’s Stride BRT, call (206) 553-3412 or email brt@soundtransit.org.