Community members who might be affected by the next phase of Interstate 405 (I-405) improvements in the Tukwila to Bellevue vicinity are invited to learn more about the proposed project and provide input during a 30-day public comment period.
On Monday, The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) opened the formal public comment petiod for the I-405, Tukwila to I-90 Vicinity Express Toll Lanes Project Environmental Assessment.
WSDOT plans to build the improvements covered by this environmental document as part of the larger I-405 Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes construction contract. That contract generally builds one new lane in each direction from downtown Bellevue to SR 167, which will be combined with the existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane to create a dual express toll lane system. Construction is currently scheduled to start in 2019, with completion in 2024.
To document the construction contract’s effects on the environment, WSDOT evaluated two geographic segments: the Tukwila to I-90 vicinity and the Downtown Bellevue vicinity. This environmental assessment marks the second of these two documents. WSDOT released the Downtown Bellevue vicinity documentearlier this spring and held a public hearing in April 2018.
Topics studied in both geographic segments include traffic, social and community effects, air quality, noise, stormwater and ecosystems. The assessments compare future effects if WSDOT did or did not build the projects.
Major features of the Tukwila to I-90 project include adding new capacity to create a two-lane express toll lane system between SR 167 in Renton and Northeast 6th Street in Bellevue. In general, the project will add one new lane in each direction. The existing HOV lane will be combined with this new lane to create a dual express toll lane system.
The project also includes construction of new southbound I-405 auxiliary lanes, interchange and bridge improvements, new and relocated noise walls, new ramps and transit stations to support I-405 Bus Rapid Transitin partnership with Sound Transit and portions of the Eastside Rail Corridor Regional Trailin partnership with King County.
A summary of the I-405, Tukwila to I-90 Vicinity Express Toll Lanes Project Environmental Assessment in English and Spanish and the full text of the documents are online at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I405/RentontoBellevue. Printed copies are available for review during normal business hours at the I-405 Program office, 600 108th Ave. NE, Suite 405, Bellevue, WA 98004; and at the following libraries: Bellevue College Library, Bellevue Regional Library, Newcastle Library, Renton Library, Renton Technical College Library, and Tukwila Regional Library.
Community members may purchase printed copies of the Environmental Assessment for $73.83 by emailing EllisL@wsdot.wa.govor calling 425-456-8582.
Community members may submit comments through Aug. 9 by email to i405comments@wsdot.wa.govor by mail to I-405 Environmental Manager Allison Hanson, 600 108th Ave. NE, Suite 405, Bellevue, WA 98004. Mailed comments must be postmarked by Aug. 9, 2018.
WSDOT also invites community members to attend a public hearing on Tues., July 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the to Renton High School cafeteria – 400 S. Second St. in Renton learn more about the project and the environmental assessment findings. A court reporter will be available during the hearing to accept verbal comments.
