King County’s annual construction plan pushes for new solutions

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Release date: May 7, 2001

Region’s congestion worsens
King County’s annual construction plan pushes for new solutions

Dismayed by today’s news that the Seattle region now has the second worst traffic congestion in the country, King County Executive Ron Sims unveiled a new battle plan to keep things moving.“
We are working smarter to improve movement across the region,” said Sims. “Pouring more asphalt is not the sole answer. We need an integrated transportation system that is reliable, accessible and safe.”

Executive Sims called on state lawmakers to invest now in roads and other transportation modes.

Sims cited a study released today by the Texas Transportation Institute that lists Seattle only behind Los Angeles when it comes to congested roadways.

“This is not acceptable,” said Sims. “It’s not just our freeways that are clogged, but now the overflow is spilling onto arterials and then into neighborhoods.

“It’s not only a question of preserving the region’s mobility, it is also a question of safety,” said Sims. “This ranking should serve as a final wake-up call that we need to make decisions now to improve our total transportation system and protect our economy and quality of life.”

Sims and officials from the King County Department of Transportation today announced an annual transportation construction program that improves mobility across the region for commuters, school children, goods and services, and fish.

Improving county roads is still an important part of the annual construction package, but the effort to keep people and freight moving throughout the region will also include upgraded transit services, new commuter technology, and more partnerships with other jurisdictions.

In addition to dozens of road construction projects, there are many improvements for Metro Transit - including revamped transit hubs in three communities. The combined cost of major road and transit improvements scheduled for construction in 2001 is approximately $109 million.

“We are focusing on increasing movement and decreasing congestion,” said Sims, “while we also do everything possible to improve motorist and pedestrian safety.”

In congested areas - such as Totem Lake, East Sammamish and Fairwood - projects constructed this year will better move cars and buses from neighborhood roads to major arterials and then onto the freeway.

Safety improvements are planned for older, established unincorporated neighborhoods - including White Center, Boulevard Park, and Des Moines - that need more curbs and sidewalks as they transition from rural to highly urban communities.

The transit hubs in Ballard, Renton and at Aurora Village will be upgraded to improve service and safety for bus riders.

More than $1.1 million will be spent this year on the School Pathways Program. This program builds paved pathways, crosswalks, and installs signage near schools to increase student pedestrian safety.

And, work continues throughout the unincorporated areas to restore fish habitat by replacing old road culverts that block passage. County crews are installing new box-style culverts that allow fish to move more freely.

Highlights from the 2001 construction plan include:

Interconnecting traffic signals on Northeast 124^{th Street}^{, between
Interstate 405 and State Route 202 in the Totem Lake area, to improve
traffic flow through this busy corridor. This is a joint project with
the city of Kirkland and the Washington State Department of
Transportation. The estimated total cost is $2.5 million;}
Congestion relief on East Lake Sammamish Parkway between Interstate 90 and the Issaquah-Fall City Road. This joint project with the city of Issaquah will widen the roadway and the onramp to westbound I-90. The estimated total cost is $2.8 million;
Improving traffic flow on South 96th Street between 8th Avenue South to Des Moines Way South. The project includes widening the road with paved shoulders, plus adding street lighting and drainage improvements. The estimated total cost is $3 million;
Continued work in the Fairwood and Soos Creek areas to improve road capacity and traffic flow by widening or adding turn lanes along 140th Way Southeast, Southeast 192nd Street, and 116th Avenue Southeast. The projects also include adding bicycle lanes, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and improved lighting in many locations. The estimated combined cost is $24.1 million;
Rebuilding the badly deteriorated section of Orillia Road South between South 200th Street and South 212th Street to improve traffic flow and safety. This includes a new underground drainage system, and replacement of curbs, gutters and sidewalks. The estimated total cost is $3.7 million.

Improving Transit Facilities

The 2001 capital program for Metro Transit includes creating or redeveloping transit hubs in Ballard, Aurora Village and Renton.

There are also plans to begin construction on a new 10-acre Park and Ride lot on Pacific Highway South in Federal Way at 274th Street South. Plus, $1.9 million is earmarked for improvements at bus stops countywide, including shelters, benches, lighting, and amenities to better assist disabled riders. There are also several technical and efficiency improvements planned for Metro operational facilities.

As in the past, residents can get the latest information about scheduled construction projects in their area by logging on to the county’s transportation web site at www.metrokc.gov/kcdot.

Residents can also subscribe to King County Alert!, at www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/alert and be notified free of charge when roads are closed due to construction or unexpected problems. Residents who spot problems on roads maintained by the county are also invited to report them by calling (206) 296-8100 or 1-800-KC ROADS.

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