News Release

Release date: March 2, 2000

King County to begin Novelty Bridge Replacement Project

New traffic Web cams will help reduce traffice impacts

The King County Road Services Division will close Northeast 124th Street between West Snoqualmie Valley Road Northeast and Carnation-Duvall Road (SR-203) beginning at 4 AM, Wednesday, March 15th, to allow for the replacement of Novelty Bridge. Construction, which has been placed on a fast track, should be completed in mid-October.

In an effort to assist motorists in detouring around Northeast 124th Street, the Road Services Division is launching "Eyes on the Arterials" -- the county's first traffic cam program for motorists traveling in suburban and rural parts of the county. As part of the Novelty Bridge project, real time traffic cameras will be mounted at West Snoqualmie Valley Road Northeast and Woodinville-Duvall Road. The cameras will provide motorists with traffic pictures of the intersection, which will serve as the primary detour route during Novelty Bridge construction. The cameras are expected to be operational approximately March 15.

The traffic information will allow motorists to make better travel choices or take alternate routes to avoid congestion. Motorists can access the traffic cams and additional information about the project by logging on to the county's Novelty Bridge web site at www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/projects/novelty . Additional "Eyes on the Arterials" cameras will bring real time pictures of traffic on Northeast 124th Street in Totem Lake and on the Trans-Valley Corridor in south King County in 2001 and 2002.

To minimize travel impacts associated with the closure of Northeast 124th Street, the county has made a number of improvements to other roads in the vicinity to enhance traffic flow. Those improvements include the addition of a turn lane and a traffic signal at the intersection of Woodinville-Duvall Road and West Snoqualmie Valley Road, improved signal timing on Carnation-Duvall Road (SR-203), additional turn lanes at Avondale Road Northeast and Woodinville-Duvall Road and a new traffic signal at Stephens Street and SR-203 in Duvall. The county will also provide traffic control at various intersections immediately following the closure of Northeast 124th Street to assist motorists during morning and afternoon commutes. These improvements are the result of collaborative work with residents, businesses and the City of Duvall to identify ways to improve traffic flow along routes that will serve as detours while the new bridge is being constructed.

The aging Novelty Bridge, built in 1920, has become structurally deficient in recent years and must now be replaced. In the coming months, the narrow truss bridge will be dismantled and replaced with a 40-foot wide steel-arch structure. Additional improvements will include 8-foot shoulders for pedestrians and bicyclists, and artwork complimenting the rural environment surrounding the bridge. The project, costing an estimated $10.8 million, will be substantially complete in about seven months. Wilder Construction of Everett will serve as contractor for the project.

Prior to the start of construction, motorists should familiarize themselves with alternative travel routes. Residents should also consider these additional travel tips:

• Adjust your commute schedule to provide more travel time.
• Consider alternative work schedules to avoid busy rush hours.
• Consolidate your trips to reduce the amount of time you're on the road.
• Organize a carpool or vanpool through Metro Transit by calling (206) 625-4500 or (800) 427-8249.

For more information about the project, contact Barbara de Michele at (206) 263-3792.

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