The Bellevue City Council gave thumbs up for the next step to improve 120th Avenue Northeast, part of a broader plan to ease traffic congestion and accommodate future growth in Bellevue.

The council approved additional engineering for a plan to widen 120th Avenue between Northeast Eighth to Northeast 12th streets. The project is part of the Wilburton Connections project, designed to improve connectivity between the downtown, Wilburton and Bel-Red areas.

Three stretches of 120th Avenue are slated for improvements. The work approved Monday, August 2 is for “Segment 2.” Segment 1 is from Northeast Fourth to Northeast Eighth streets, and Segment 3 is from Northeast 12th to Northup Way. Upgrades will include widening the road to five lanes, adding bike lanes and sidewalks.

In Monday’s action, the council approved a $308,660 supplement to a previous contract with INCA Engineering Inc. – to pay for additional design work that officials hope will increase Bellevue’s chances of landing a federal grant to help fund the 120th Avenue improvements.