Bellevue, Sound Transit and King County are working together to determine the feasibility of a project that to realign 120th Avenue Northeast, from Northeast 16th Street (currently planned for but not yet built) to Northup Way. It would be a continuation of previous corridor upgrades -- between Northeast Fourth and Northeast 16th streets -- that were completed in three phases from 2013 to 2018. Like earlier work, the fourth phase would support growth and redevelopment in the Bel-Red and Wilburton areas. Improvements have been done in coordination with Sound Transit’s East Link light rail project.
Details
Design work is happening through a Three Party Agreement approved in 2015. An evaluation is being coordinated with a planned Transit-Oriented Development near Sound Transit’s Operations and Maintenance Facility-East, located on the west side of 120th Avenue Northeast. Design elements that will be considered in the feasibility study include:
- Widening of the road to two lanes in each direction with turn pockets or a center turn lane to improve vehicle circulation
- New pedestrian and bicycle facilities on both sides of the street, providing safe access to the future light rail station and nearby trail
- Removal and replacement of the existing Kelsey Creek West Tributary culvert under the roadway to allow improved passage for fish and other wildlife and associated stream restoration
- Upgrade utility upgrades, stormwater facilities
- Improve traffic signals, street lighting, landscaping, retaining walls, signage
- Update pavement and striping
Design for this phase is anticipated to be complete in late 2022. Funding for right-of-way property acquisition and construction has not yet been secured.
Online Open House March 29-April 16
Please visit the 120th Avenue NE online open house at EngagingBellevue.com to learn about and comment on preliminary design concepts for roadway sections, a trail crossing and urban design features such as directional signage and retaining wall features.
Schedule
- 2020-2021: Work on project design to achieve 60% level of completion
- 2022: Complete design work
- 2023-2024: Project construction (right-of-way acquisition and construction are not currently funded)
Funding
Engineering design (to 60% level of completion) and coordination of work is funded by the City’s Capital Investment Program and estimated at approximately $3 million. The project will complete final design with Puget Sound Regional Council- Surface Transportation Program funding at approximately $1.46 million. Right-of-way acquisition and construction are not currently funded.
Background material
- Project update mailer (Feb. 2021)
- Project map (June 2020)
- Aerial footage (May 2020)
- Access Bellevue mailer (May 2020)
