(Image: WSDOT)
The overhauled western segment of the 520 bridge and the new Montlake Lid are slated to be completed in 2024 (Image: WSDOT)
The walking, running, and rolling trail along it will remain open but 520 across Lake Washington — “the world’s longest floating bridge” — will be closed in both directions this weekend as the project to replace the last western segment of the route and create a new Montlake lid continues.
The closure also marks a smaller but important milestone for the neighborhood’s streets as the longtime onramp to the highway from Lake Washington Blvd is now closed — forever.
WSDOT says the weekend closure of both directions of 520 will begin at 11 PM Friday and could last through Monday at 5 AM. Crews this weekend are scheduled to shift 520’s traffic lanes so work can begin to build a new dedicated carpool-bus connection between 520 and I-5 while progress is also made on the Montlake Lid.
CHS reported here on the lid and overhaul of Montlake Blvd through the area to create a transit plaza and reconfigure the key transportation intersection as part of the ongoing project to replace the 520 bridge with a larger, more efficient design.
The reconfigured highway also brings the end of the Lake Washington Blvd onramp to eastbound bridge traffic. The removal is part of rechanneling vehicle traffic away from the boulevard and the Arboretum toward the reconfigured Montlake Lid and interchange.
As of tomorrow morning, there will no longer be a highway ramp connecting to SR 520 from Lake Washington Boulevard, a milestone years in the making as a part of the 520 bridge replacement project. Should make life a little easier for people trying to bike through here. pic.twitter.com/5tce2PbIF0
— Ryan Packer (@typewriteralley) September 28, 2022
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How will this reduce traffic through the arboretum ? Won’t drivers go thru the arboretum to access 520 east at 24th ave east? I’m not sure I see where this will improve anything.
This isn’t going to reduce any traffic through the Arboretum. Cars will still drive through, and then will just back up on Lake Washington Blvd. trying to cross 24th to get onto 520 East, and that on-ramp/intersection will get slammed even harder. Not fewer cars, but more stopped/idling cars. Hooray!
And there’s still an off-ramp from 520 West that dumps people onto Lake Washington Blvd.
As long as Lake Washington Blvd. through the Arboretum is the straightest path to Madison Park, Madison Valley, Madrona, etc. people will take it to/from 520.
Many good memories of that Arboretum ramp to E 520, it was wide enough that I could pull to the side and take a conference call with a great view. And yes I will continue to drive through the Arboretum to reach 520.
I can’t help but wonder how much better transit would be if we spent just a fraction of what was spent on this 520 project…instead of focusing on car infra, we focus on providing better alternatives to cars.
I agree. And I would add that the associated project at 10th Ave E & E Roanoke St (putting a lid over that area), which is now underway, is a colossal waste of money. What exactly is the purpose of this lid? Yes, the completed project will include a landscaped area/park on the lid, but there is already a perfectly nice park just across Roanoke!