SR 520 PROJECT UPDATE
View the conceptual drawings of the I-5 to Medina SR 520 project at: I-5 to Medina: Bridge Replacement and HOV Project
TOLLING UPDATE:
Tolling for the 520 bridge will start in the Spring 2011 when the highway will be the state’s first to be tolled exclusively by electronic tolls using the same system already being used to toll the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Highway 167 HOT lanes. Toll revenue will help support the project to replace the bridge and reduce financing costs. You can learn more about how electronic tolling works and keep up to date on developments by clicking here.
CLICK HERE to view an Eastside Design Simulation
of the SR 520 improvements.
You can view all the specifics about the SR 520 project, along with informational links by clicking here.
Question of the month!
Question: You might have noticed several new overhead sign supports popping up over SR 520. Will these new structures be used for tolling?
Answer: No. The nine new sign bridges over SR 520 on the Eastside won’t charge you a toll. Instead, they will support high-tech traffic information signs for WSDOT's new Smarter Highways system. The new electronic signs will automatically alert drivers when a lane is closed ahead and adjust the speed limit to slow traffic to allow drivers enough time to brake for suddenly slower or backed-up traffic. There's still a lot of work left to do before these signs are activated. You may have noticed crews working day and night installing conduit for fiber optics. Drivers will start using the signs on SR 520 and northbound I-5 in south Seattle starting this summer.
As for tolling, WSDOT is planning to start tolling the SR 520 bridge in spring 2011. The all-electronic system means no toll booths and no cash will be required to cross the bridge. Instead, electronic tolling equipment will be mounted on the overhead gantries at the east high-rise of the SR 520 bridge structure. High-tech readers and cameras will collect tolls at normal highway speeds without disrupting traffic. Tolls will be collected in both directions and vary by time of day.
SR 520 pontoon project: Environmental analysis released for comments
After thorough analysis, WSDOT released a key environmental report that brings the project a big step closer to building pontoons that could be used for emergency replacement of the SR 520 floating bridge – or stored until needed for a new proposed bridge opening in 2014.
The report, called a draft environmental impact statement (EIS), analyzes the SR 520 Pontoon Construction Project. A public review period will last 45 days and comments will be accepted through July 12.
WSDOT proposes to build a casting facility and 33 concrete pontoons in Grays Harbor County at one of two sites – the Anderson & Middleton site in Hoquiam and the Aberdeen Log Yard site in Aberdeen, the preferred alternative site.
There are several ways to review the draft EIS:
View documents and comment online at the SR 520 pontoon construction website.
Call the project office at 206-770-3500 or 1-888-520-NEWS (6397) to request a free executive summary and CD or to purchase a printed copy of the document.
To comment on the draft EIS:
Submit comments online. E-mail comments to sr520pontoons_deis@wsdot.wa.gov
Mail comments to Margaret Kucharski, WSDOT Environmental Lead, 600 Stewart St., Suite 520, Seattle, WA 98101.