Published March 12 2013
Also, planning future transportation improvements
With road construction season getting underway, the City Council on Monday reviewed four major construction projects taking place in Bellevue. The work will improve and protect the transportation system long-term, but will cause some delays for travelers.
- West Lake Sammamish Parkway: Work has begun on this long-awaited project to enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, and improve drainage. The work has already impacted traffic and beginning March 19, the road will be closed to southbound traffic at Southeast 34th Street until late October and a detour will be in place.
- Coal Creek Parkway Culvert: Work to replace a deteriorating, nine-foot diameter culvert that runs under Coal Creek Parkway with a bridge will begin this spring. Traffic impacts are expected and travelers should consider using alternate routes. The project will protect the roadway, enhance fish habitat and add a trail to improve safety for hikers. To accommodate fish migrations and utility relocations, part of the work will be done this year, with a second and final phase set for completion by late 2014.
- Overlay program: The city's annual repaving, or overlay program, is set to start this spring and wrap up in late 2013. This year, about 22.5 lane miles or roadway will be repaved, mostly on arterial streets such as Factoria Boulevard, Southeast Eastgate Way and Northeast 20th Street.
- Interstate 405 pavement: The state Department of Transportation this summer will complete paving on I-405, from Southeast Eighth Street to Northeast Eighth Street. The work, designed to improve the ride and reduce noise, will require two full weekend closures of the northbound freeway, but the dates have not yet been determined.
Feedback: Ron Kessack, Transportation Assistant Director, 425-452-4631 or rkessack@bellevuewa.gov; or Bruce Jensen, Utilities, 425-452-7240 or bjensen@bellevuewa.gov
Planning for future transportation improvements
In addition to short-term road improvements, the council on Monday assessed progress on two long-range planning projects critical to maintaining a healthy transportation system.
The first is the city's Downtown Transportation Plan Update, which will provide recommendations for downtown transportation policies and projects through 2030. The update is scheduled for completion in early 2014 and will be integrated with another planning effort, the Downtown Livability Initiative, which is currently underway.
The second progress report was on the Bellevue Transit Master Plan. This effort includes identifying the transit service priorities and capital projects that can improve the transit system. The Transit Master Plan is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013.
council agenda memo on Transportation Plan Update
council agenda memo on the Transit Master Plan
Feedback: Bernard Van de Kamp, Transportation Assistant Director, 425-452-6459 or bvandekamp@bellevuewa.gov