Politics & Government
Traffic Corridor Improvement Aims at 228th St. SW
The city's extension of 228th Street SW is expected to take pressure off 220th Street SW and SR 104 (Edmonds Way). Construction isn't expected for at least three years.
Every day, drivers who travel along 228th Street Southwest in Edmonds both east and west of state Route 99 complete a series of zigs and zags to continue traveling on the road because, although they share the same name, never do the twain meet.
One day in the near future, though, they will meet, as plans call for 228th Street Southwest to connect to 76th Avenue West and two traffic lights to be installed at the intersection of 228th Street and SR 99.
The City of Edmonds has solicited bids from individuals and firms interested in providing engineering, environmental and right of way acquisition services to complete the design, permitting and right-of-way phases. The corridor improvement project is overseen by Edmonds transportation engineer Bertrand Hauss.
New bike lanes and sidewalks will also be added to both sides of 228th. The left turns from southbound SR 99 to 76th Avenue will be relocated to a protected left turn at the new signal at SR 99 and 228th.
The City reports that the project will improve both access and safety to the I-5/Mountlake Terrace park-and-ride lot from SR 99. In addition, the project is expected to reduce demand and congestion along 220th Street Southwest and Edmonds Way (state Route 104). Hauss says he is aware of concerns who live on 228th, an already busy two-lane road. “We will need to look at areas that need to be improved there as well,” he said.
Also, safety will be enhanced as left turns from SR 99 to 76th will be restricted with the extension of the raised center island on SR 99. “This will add a safe pedestrian crossing between 224th Street Southwest and 238th Street Southwest,” Hauss said.
The new traffic signal will also provide pedestrians and bicycles with a safe crossing of SR 99, allowing easy access to the Interurban Trail, located a half-mile east of the intersection.
Preliminary designs were completed in December 2008, and the city was awarded a federal transportation grant in 2010 to fund the final design and right of way phases. The city will be pursuing additional transportation grants in the future to fund the construction phase.
Construction on the $4.9 million project is expected to begin in 2014 or 2015, said Hauss.
More information on the project is available of the City of Edmonds’ website.