To help commuters spend less time in traffic
More work ahead
“We’re taking an important step today, but it’s just one more step in the march to help commuters spend less time in traffic and more time enjoying the quality of life that Washington has to offer,” Inslee noted. "Together, we'll work with the Legislature and our partners to finish what we started and complete a new, safer, more efficient SR 520 all the way to I-5.”
Today’s groundbreaking included Gov. Inslee, Congressman Jim McDermott, state Rep. Judy Clibborn, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Transportation Secretary Peterson, and project contractor Flatiron West, Inc. Also present were regional business leaders, and representatives of the University of Washington, the Washington Park Arboretum, and the Federal Highway Administration.
The start of SR 520 construction in Seattle is just one of many milestones for the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program.
The Eastside Transit and HOV Project is scheduled for completion later this year. It includes new median transit stops, a regional bike and pedestrian trail, and new HOV lanes.
The new floating bridge is scheduled to open to drivers in spring 2016. Sixty-six of the 77 massive pontoons that make up the backbone of the new bridge are now constructed, with the rest slated for completion by next spring.