Published April 28 2016
The unofficial start of road construction season gets rolling in May with projects that are part of the city's annual overlay program.
First up, starting Monday, May 2, is work downtown on 112th Avenue Northeast, from Northeast Second Street to Northeast Eighth Street. Most of the job will be completed during the day, but some night work also will be needed. Work hours will be posted on Traffic Advisories. The 112th Avenue overlay is slated for completion by the end of May.
One step in the overlay process will result in temporary grooves in the pavement. Bicyclists and motorcyclists should exercise particular caution in these work areas. Lane closures also will be needed and travelers should expect some delays. Please use alternate routes if possible.
Overall this year, the Transportation Department and its contractor, Lakeside Industries, will repave, or overlay, approximately 20 lane miles of asphalt roadway, along with six smaller overlays where streets previously torn up to repair water or sewer lines will be restored. Crews also will replace curbs, gutters and sidewalks as needed.
Paving work will take place through October, and construction dates at the various locations are tentative. This year's overlay budget is $3.84 million.
- Eleven locations on city streets will be repaved, along with the utility restoration sites. This year, the overlay/paving program focuses on arterial streets in north, central and south Bellevue.
- In addition to the repaving work, crews will build 76 new curb ramps to help people with disabilities get around more easily; and
- About 3.1 miles of new bike lanes will be created by restriping pavement as part of the overlay work. Locations include Southeast Allen Road, eastbound Lake Hills Connector, eastbound Northeast 24th Street and 164th Avenue Northeast.
- For current travel conditions, check the real-time Bellevue Traffic map and cameras and traffic advisories. For information about specific overlay locations, contact Teresa Becker, pavement manager (425-452-7942 or Tbecker@bellevuewa.gov).
Marking its 30th year, the overlay program focuses on resurfacing a fraction of city streets each year in order to prevent the need for a full-on street replacement, which can cost four to five times more than an overlay. Since 1990, over 700 lane miles of roadway have been repaired or resurfaced as part of the program. Citywide, there are nearly 1,100 lane miles of asphalt roads.
Prior to starting overlay work in a neighborhood, notification fliers are distributed to affected residents; "No Parking" signs will be set up shortly before the work begins. On busier streets, electronic message signs may be used to alert drivers of upcoming impacts.
As part of the overlay work, old asphalt is ground down and removed so new pavement will match the concrete curb and gutter. After a week or more, a paving machine lays down two inches of new asphalt followed by a heavy roller that presses the asphalt into place.