Colleen Toomey, communications, 206-775-8320

Eastbound off-ramp changes to improve connections and safety

REDMOND – The Overlake neighborhood of Redmond is rapidly changing with new residential development and the future Sound Transit Link light rail station. During typical travel conditions, the eastbound State Route 520 off-ramp to 148th Avenue Northeast is slow going with backups and delays during peak travel times.

To improve the connections to the area, with an eye on future growth, the Washington State Department of Transportation will relocate the eastbound State Route 520 off-ramp to 148th Avenue Northeast and add a new eastbound off-ramp with direct access to Overlake Village. Members of the traveling public are invited to learn more about these improvements at an online open house this month.

Online open house

Information about the project is available through an online open house beginning Wednesday, May 6. Attendees will view the final design and what to expect during construction and provide feedback.

• When:  May 6-27
• Where:  engage.wsdot.wa.gov/sr520overlake

Project benefits:

• Improve vehicular mobility: Realign the existing eastbound off-ramp to 148th Avenue Northeast.
• Direct access: Add a new eastbound SR 520 exit option underneath 148th Avenue Northeast for direct access to Overlake Village and the light rail station.
• Improve safety: Reduce off-ramp backups through this split-ramp design and add a roundabout that will improve traffic flow near 148th Avenue Northeast.
• Improve street connections: This project will also add new street connections for the current 151st Place Northeast, 152nd Avenue Northeast, as well as, new streets that will connect to the light rail station and other destinations.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2021 and be complete by 2023. The estimated total cost of this project is $65.9 million, funded by the $16 billion Connecting Washington transportation package.