Council President Richard Conlin
Seattle City Council approves SR 520 agreement with WSDOT and Parks
Today’s agreement provides funding to design, develop and plan park properties
Seattle – The Seattle City Council today unanimously approved Council Bill 117219 authorizing the Director of the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation to execute an agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to design, develop and plan specific environmental mitigation projects surrounding and supported by the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV program. Mitigation includes funds to pay for costs incurred for work needed in 2011.
“We are pleased that the City and the state are working together to move the SR 520 project forward with this funding to ensure an environmentally healthy approach to construction,” stated Council President Richard Conlin. “This is an important step in protecting our parks and neighborhoods while we improve safety and mobility across Lake Washington and through Seattle.”
The Preferred Alternative was announced by WSDOT and the Governor in April of 2010 for the SR 520, I-5 to Medina. The Bridge Replacement and HOV Project involves acquisition of, and adversely impacts some Seattle park properties and facilities including Bagley Viewpoint, Montlake Playfield, East McCurdy Park, East Montlake Park, the Ship Canal Waterside Trail, the Bill Dawson Trail, the Arboretum Waterfront Trail and the Washington Park Arboretum.