Washington State Department of Transportation Update

You can always find real-time traffic information online or by dialing 5-1-1. To
learn more about what WSDOT is doing, go to wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures
videos, news and blogs.

SR 522 in Bothell gets a new traffic signal
If you’re headed through Bothell on SR 522, be prepared to slow down and stop. 
Crews recently installed a new traffic signal at the intersection of SR 522 and
Woodinville Drive. The new light is the latest safety improvement in the $50
million SR 522 UW Bothell/Cascadia Community College campus access project. In
fall 2009, crews will reprogram the signal and open the roadway to the new south
entrance of the UW Bothell/Cascadia Community College campus. For more
information visit the project Web page at
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR522/UW/.

Sound Transit seeks comments on light rail to the Eastside
The Eastside is one step closer to finding out where its light rail line will
run in the future. On Dec. 12, Sound Transit, along with the Federal Transit Administration and WSDOT released the draft
environmental impact statement (EIS) for East Link, which would bring light rail
to the Eastside via I-90. They are evaluating the benefits and impacts of
potential light rail routes from downtown Seattle to the Eastside via I-90 with
stations serving Seattle, Mercer Island, south Bellevue, downtown Bellevue and
the Bel-Red/Overlake area. The EIS also examines potential routes to downtown
Redmond that could be built as part of a future expansion. Sound Transit wants
to hear feedback on the study and has kicked off a 75-day public comment period.
Five public hearings are planned in Redmond, Seattle, Mercer Island and Bellevue
so people can comment on the draft EIS. The public review and comment period
will continue through Feb. 25 and will help the Sound Transit Board identify a
preferred East Link route. The draft EIS analyzes the potential impacts of the
different routes and identifies ways to minimize adverse impacts. The preferred route will be described in the final environmental impact statement which
is expected to be completed in 2010. For more information on the East Link
project, a list of the upcoming public hearings and how to comment, visit Sound
Transit’s Web page at http://www.soundtransit.org/x3245.xml#comment.

New bridge on I-405 open to traffic, bottleneck relief is next
Last week WSDOT unveiled a new southbound I-405 freeway bridge over I-90. Early
next year, they'll open a new northbound I-405 lane and an improved on-ramp. Two
lanes of traffic have already shifted to the new 900-foot-long bridge.  The
carpool lane will remain on the existing southbound bridge.  Splitting the lanes
over the two bridges creates a work zone so crews can put the finishing touches
on the transitions between the bridge and the roadway. In a few months the
carpool lane will join the other lanes on the new bridge. Early next year,
they’ll open a new northbound lane on I-405 from 112th Ave SE to I-90 easing a
major chokepoint commuters have experienced for years as they travel north toward Bellevue.  Carpoolers
and bus riders will also benefit from improvements on the 112th Ave SE on-ramp
to northbound I-405. The new on-ramp features a ramp meter and carpool bypass
lane that will improve traffic flow on the freeway. For more information on this
project, please visit the project Web site at
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/112thAvetoSE8th/.

David J Edwards
REALTOR
Keller Williams Realty Southeast Sound
Phone: 425-890-8045
Fax: 425-902-1899
E-Mail: david@davidjedwards.com
Website: http://www.davidjedwards.com
Blogsite: http://www.davidjedwards.com/real-estate-blog.asp
Mobile Site: http://davidjedwards.mofuse.mobi
Community Reports: http://www.topmarketer.net/CSR/CSReport.aspx?CV4GU5KAYOEF
 
David J Edwards is a full time real estate agent and REALTOR with Keller
Williams Realty specializing in Residential Real Estate for buyers and sellers

Transportation

There are many ways to conserve time, money and fuel. Transportation is a great requirement of modern living.  However, just because you need it doesn't mean you have to let GM or any one else's marketing department tells you how to do it. If you let them tell you how to do everything, you will need cash advance loans just to be able to get to work every day.  For instance, you could carpool.  Lots of people do it and have done so for a long time.  Also, if you live close enough to work, you can start riding a bike.  No gas and you get in better shape.  (Win – win.)  There's also public transport, and all of these are cheaper modes of transportation.