Published December 28 2015
The city's Transportation Department made substantial progress in 2015. In addition to maintaining hundreds of miles of streets and sidewalks, traffic signals and signs, numerous capital projects were completed.
Work ranged from big-ticket, "complete streets" projects, to smaller neighborhood improvements, to work on the city's pedestrian and bicycle networks.
All are aimed at furthering the department's mission "To provide a safe and efficient transportation system that supports livable neighborhoods and a vital economy in partnership with the community." Highlights from 2015 include:
- Northeast Fourth Street: The long-awaited extension, from 116th to 120th Avenue Northeast, creates a new transportation alternative for walkers, bicyclists and drivers traveling between downtown and destinations such as the BelRed area, where a major transformation is taking place;
- Other completed projects: 124th Avenue Northeast, from Northeast Eighth Street to Main Street (Wilburton Streetscape); 33 lane miles of repaving as part of the city's 2015 Overlay Program; Newport Way sidewalk project, 150th to 152nd Avenue Northeast; new traffic signal at Lakemont Boulevard and Cougar Mountain Way; and Sunset Elementary sidewalk project; more information;
- Smart signals: Closed in on the build-out of Bellevue's adaptive signal system, which was first started in 2010. Of the city's 198 traffic signals, 189 of them are now able to adapt to changing traffic conditions in real time, saving drivers an estimated 500,000 hours of delay annually;
- Crosswalk improvements: Completed five crosswalk improvement projects, some of which include flashing light systems, providing better access for people with disabilities;
- New bike lanes: Created 3.6 lane miles of new bike lanes quickly and at low cost, by restriping roadways as part of the city's annual overlay program. Information on transportation choices;
- East Link: Bellevue and Sound Transit finalized a memorandum of understanding for the East Link light rail project; Bellevue continued to make progress on city work that will dovetail with the regional transit system, in advance of East Link's 2016 construction start;
- Online improvements: Launched a new service so residents can apply for Residential Permit Parking Zone Permits online; developed a mapping system that allows users to learn about capital projects through an online, clickable map;
- Street lights: Launched a street light monitoring and control system pilot project; and completed a project to inventory and map all city-owned street lights;
- Planning updates: Updated Transportation Facilities Plan (2016-2027), impact fee program, Commute Trip Reduction Plan and citywide bike map. Also developed a citywide Transportation Demand Management Plan;
- Programs recognized: Bellevue received a Bronze "Bicycle Friendly Community" award from the League of American Bicyclists for cycling initiatives and programs; Transportation and Information Technology departments received a 2015 Public Technology Institute Solutions Award for developing an application that tracks where contractors are working in city right of ways; and the Transportation and Utilities departments earned four-year re-accreditation from the American Public Works Association;
- Individuals recognized: Pavement Manager Teresa Becker was selected Pavement Manager of the Year by the Northwest Pavement Management Association; Principal Office Engineer Hillary Stibbard received APWA's June Rosentreter Spence Award for efforts to recruit women, minorities and people with disabilities into the Public Works field.