Design-build teams interested in building transit and safety improvements for a key stretch of State Route 520 are being asked to submit statements of qualification by May 20.

The SR 520 Eastside Transit and HOV Project contract price is approximately $325 million to $425 million and will include highway and environmental improvements from Medina to Bellevue.

In March, Gov. Gregoire and the Washington State Legislature gave the go-ahead for the project by allowing toll revenue collected on the floating bridge to be spent within the SR 520 corridor.

Design-build teams are invited to attend a voluntary meeting from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 at Seattle Central Library, Microsoft Auditorium, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle.

The request for qualifications is available at this Web site.

The current transit and carpool system on SR 520 east of Medina is incomplete and includes an HOV lane that was added to the westbound shoulder of the highway. Highway merge lanes and sight distances don’t meet current design standards, and existing culverts are barriers to migrating fish.

More information about the SR 520 Program and the Eastside Transit and HOV Project is available at this DOT Web site.