The SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project continues to make progress as it moves towards a decision for a finalized Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

A mediation group representing the Westside has agreed on three alternative design plans for the replacement of the SR 520 interchange in Seattle. After a little over a year of discussion, the mediation group has narrowed it down to three concepts including alternative A, K and L (www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520Bridge).

Connecting Eastside and the Westside of Lake Washington, the SR 520 Corridor Program spans beyond Bellevue and will improve existing roadways between I-5 in Seattle extending to 108th Avenue Northeast in Bellevue, just West of I-405. The east-west crossing currently carries approximately 155,000 to 160,000 people across the SR 520 floating bridge each day.

A health impact plan was recently completed by King County Health and is posted on their Web site based on the alternatives and what things should be considered to improve on health. The plan also includes a carbon footprint analysis.

The SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project mediation group is required to develop a Project Impact Plan and deliver it to the governor and Legislature by the end of this year. In addition, the WSDOT is working on completing a finance plan as part of the mediation bill. The WSDOT anticipates that Project Impact Plan will be on the table in the upcoming legislative discussions. Construction is proposed to begin in 2009.

The SR 520 Bridge Replacement Project is scheduled to be complete by 2018.