After more than a decade of discussion and planning efforts, the SR 520 bridge over Lake Washington emerged as this session’s biggest transportation story. With SB 6392, the Legislature gave its OK for the ready-to-go Eastside projects to proceed, as discussions continued on the Westside span.
This afternoon, WSDOT came forward with a preferred alternative design that it calls a “major milestone” in the project’s history. State Reps. Judy Clibborn and Scott White joined the press conference.
This announcement is based on a draft environmental impact assessment released in January that has since drawn hundreds of neighborhood, city and agency comments. Recurring criticisms are that the bridge’s proposed design might adversely affect the local Montlake neighborhood and doesn’t allow for sufficient transit.
WSDOT says the preferred alternative addresses these issues, noting that the bridge’s footprint and profile have been scaled back in several areas and that light rail could be accommodated at a future date. Planners made special efforts to reduce traffic and noise around the Arboretum and the Portage Bay Bridge.
Although today is indeed a project milestone, the planning process isn’t over. SB 6392 set up several state-local workgroups to take closer looks at transit and neighborhood mitigation issues and to make recommendations later this year. WSDOT will also use the next few months to settle its plans and issue a final environmental impact statement. Check out more information here or read this morning's Seattle Times story.
