There is a lot happening behind the scenes with 520 these days. In order to keep Montlakers up to date and informed on all things Five-Twenty, the Montlake Community Club Board of Trustees has developed a webpage on Montlake.net devoted to news about the project. It’s called the Everything 520 page. We hope to make this the “go to” place for the latest and most thorough 520 news. The site will post updates about the construction and have links to other websites where readers can get detailed information about different aspects of the 520 project. Look for the drop-down menu links in the upper right hand corner of our Montlake.net website.
www.montlake.net/everything-520
WSDOT is working this summer to update their 2012 designs for the Portage Bay Bridge and Montlake Lid. A public open house is expected in September. Montlake Community Club Board members Lionel Job and Rainer Metzger are following the project closely and will advise us as progress is made.
520 Projects Coming up this Summer
The pre-construction inspections of homes near the 520 on Lake Washington Blvd and Hamlin St have been completed. Work is continuing on our application for federal Historic District designation. This project will be completed in the fall.
The Seattle Design Commission is working with WSDOT on design options for the Portage Bay bridge connecting 520 from Montlake Blvd to the I-5 freeway. The Commission is also advising on the design for the Montlake and Roanoke lids in consideration of previous pubic comments. See the Everything 520 page for more details.
By the end of the summer WSDOT will start widening sidewalks on Montlake Blvd to better accommodate walkers and bikers. WSDOT will also be moving utility poles in the 520 corridor in advance of construction starting this fall. And soon an extra lane will be added the eastbound exit ramp from 520 to Montlake Blvd (the Hop-In exit). This will create three exit lanes: one for left turn only, one for left turn and thru traffic crossing to Lake Washington Blvd and one lane for right turn only for traffic heading south on Montlake Blvd. Hopefully this will help reduce congestion that often backs up into the mainline 520 lanes.
As always, please send comments, questions and concerns to board@montlake.net.
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