The SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program is moving forward, in phases, with construction of the remaining improvements to SR 520 in Seattle – what we call the “Rest of the West.” The SR 520/I-5 Express Lanes Connection Project is one of the major stages of the highway's west side reconstruction. This project will create a dedicated, reversible transit and carpool connection between SR 520 and the I-5 express lanes, along with a reversible transit/carpool ramp at the I-5/Mercer Street interchange. This brief video shows how this new connection will work.

Project news

• WSDOT is hosting a virtual meeting for contractors on Thursday, March 4 regarding contracting opportunities with two design-bid-build projects: the SR 520/I-5 Express Lanes Connection Project and the Alaskan Way Viaduct South Access Surface Street Connections Project. Please register online via Zoom to receive a link to join the 2 p.m. meeting. This meeting is open to interested contractors of all sizes, from large primes to smaller minority-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses. Construction for both projects is slated to begin in spring/summer 2021. The meeting will include a WSDOT presentation and time for Q&A.
• The city of Seattle granted WSDOT a project-long nighttime noise variance for the SR 520/I-5 Project so that crews can do some of the work at night to avoid weekday traffic disruptions and enable a safer work zone. Visit the Seattle Services Portal, project number 6733975-NV, for information on the noise variance and to view WSDOT’s application.  Also, you can read this Q&A on our Major Public Projects Construction Noise Variance (pdf 228 kb) to learn more.

Needs & Benefits

Seattle has experienced a population and employment boom, especially in the South Lake Union neighborhood. At the same time, the Eastside’s technology-driven cities continue to experience rapid growth. The region’s growth underscores the importance of a safe, reliable transit/HOV link between Seattle and the Eastside via SR 520. This project will extend SR 520’s new transit/HOV system onto the I-5 express lanes, creating a direct bus and carpool connection between SR 520, South Lake Union and downtown Seattle.

The end result

• A new, reversible transit/HOV ramp between SR 520 and the I-5 express lanes
• Restriped I-5 express lanes that retain the four existing lanes while adding a reversible transit/HOV lane between the I-5 / SR 520 interchange and Mercer Street
• A modified, reversible ramp between the I-5 express lanes and Mercer Street

Project benefits

• Safer, more reliable travel between the Eastside’s growing cities and Seattle’s booming South Lake Union neighborhood from a new, reversible transit/HOV lane connecting SR 520 and Seattle’s I-5 / Mercer Street interchange
• Earlier-than-planned Eastside / South Lake Union transit service via the reversible I-5 express lanes connection; the connection could open as early as 2023 or 2024 for transit instead of the originally expected opening in 2029
• A more efficient phasing of SR 520 construction that minimizes contractor overlap in the Montlake area while keeping regional and local traffic moving during construction

Timeline

• Spring/summer 2021: estimated start of construction
• Estimated construction duration: 3 years*

* The reversible transit/HOV lane initially will open only to transit; carpools will use the reversible lane following completion of a new Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke lid.

Funding

This project is part of the remaining $1.6 billion in SR 520 improvements from Lake Washington to I-5 – the “Rest of the West.” These improvements are funded by the 2015 Connecting Washington transportation legislation. For more information on SR 520 funding, visit the Budget and Performance page.