The following is a release from the city of Kenmore:
During the final days of its third special session, the Washington state legislature approved a bipartisan transportation package, which is headed to the Governor’s desk after three years of deliberation.
The final budget allocates $12 million for completion of the SR 522 project in Kenmore and includes $8 million for the replacement of Kenmore’s West Sammamish River Bridge; investments funded through the transportation package will be made over a 16-year period. These projects will provide significant improvements for the tens of thousands of Kenmore residents and commuters traveling these routes each day.
“These projects are not only important to Kenmore, but important to our entire region. We appreciate the leadership of our delegation – Sen. Frockt and Reps. Farrell and Pollet – in advocating for funding for SR 522 and the West Sammamish River Bridge,” said Kenmore Mayor David Baker. “We are thrilled that our state legislature has recognized these projects as a priority. These routes in Kenmore represent a third way to cross Lake Washington, and the region will benefit from these investments.”
The SR 522 funding approved by the legislature will complete the final segment of improvements to the Kenmore portion of this state highway on the west end of the city (57th Avenue Northeast to 61st Avenue Northeast). During the past decade, Kenmore, with the assistance of state and federal funds, has made infrastructure updates to SR 522 which have increased pedestrian and auto safety, eased traffic congestion and enhanced transit reliability. Construction on improvements to SR 522 is now underway on a segment between 61st Avenue Northeast and 65th Avenue Northeast, which will be completed in the next two years. The improvements to date total over $75 million, benefitting the busy SR 522 corridor which carries 40,000-50,000 vehicles per day.
Over 26,000 vehicles cross the Sammamish River each day, traveling on 68th Avenue Northeast. The southbound West bridge, constructed in the 1930s, is in need of replacement and currently has a load restriction in place to ensure the bridge is better protected until it can be replaced. Kenmore previously secured $12 million in federal grant funding to construct a new bridge; the $8 million from the state will help fund the project. Construction is estimated to begin in spring of 2018. Traffic volumes have increased on both SR 522 and Juanita Drive Northeast/68th Avenue Northeast since tolling began on the SR 520 Bridge in 2011.
The legislature also authorized Sound Transit to go to the voters for approval of ST3, which could, if it brings high capacity transit to the North Lake Washington Corridor, provide significant benefit to Kenmore and surrounding areas. The City will also benefit from its share of local gas tax distributions as approved in the transportation revenue package.
Kenmore’s location at the north end of Lake Washington allows its residents to quickly get to Seattle, Bellevue and surrounding areas. Its business-friendly policies, including award-winning streamlined permitting, Kenmore’s Business Incubator, low local taxes and no B&O tax, exceptional location and downtown resurgence make it a great place to launch a business. Kenmore was also recently recognized with a 2015 Playful City USA designation for the sixth year in a row, celebrating its extensive park system, bike trails and waterfront recreation.
For more information on the City of Kenmore, visit www.kenmorewa.gov.
