Published February 3 2016
Next week, work begins on the construction of bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides of Northup Way between Northeast 24th Street and Northeast 33rd Place. The project will also include a pedestrian bridge at the Eastside Rail Corridor crossing (formerly the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad), traffic signal modifications, street lighting and two mid-block pedestrian crossings.
This $12.5 million project is funded by the state Department of Transportation, Connecting Washington Transportation, a federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant and Bellevue's Capital Investment Program.
Because Northup Way is a narrow two-lane roadway, all users should expect construction delays because of frequent lane closures. The majority of the work will be 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday; however, there will be a half dozen night and weekend road closures.
If you need to access businesses or properties in the construction zone, please give yourself more time to reach your destination. Non-local traffic are encouraged to use alternate routes. As with any construction zone, it is important to obey the construction signs and the traffic flaggers. If you bike or walk in this area, please be extra cautious because the roadway surface will be rough and uneven. Drivers and bicyclists should lower their speeds and be fully aware of the roadway's condition at all times, as well.
When it's complete in early 2017, the project will enhance access and safety for all users to and from neighborhoods, offices, commercial uses, transit facilities and services on this major east-west corridor. It will also provide the missing link between the existing State Route 520 Trail, the Lake Washington Loop Trail, 116th Avenue Northeast, which was just finished last year, and 120th Avenue Northeast, and address pedestrian and bicycle goals in the city's Comprehensive Plan.
To learn about current construction activities, please watch for updates on the electronic message boards at the west and east end of construction limits or check Traffic Advisories and/or the Capital Projects Map.