Coupled with the Nickel Package authorized by the legislature, the project adds a lane in each direction on I-405 between I-5 in Tukwila and SR 169 in Renton, including partial improvements to the SR 167/I-405 interchange. It constructs a direct HOV connection at SR 167 and I-405, and adds a lane northbound from I-90 to Southeast 8th Street, and southbound from Main Street to Coal Creek Parkway. In the Kirkland area, the project adds a northbound lane between Northeast 70th Street and SR 522 and a southbound lane between SR 522 and SR 520. The project constructs a new half-diamond interchange at Northeast 132nd Street, constructs HOV direct access to Brickyard park-and-ride as well as 750 new parking stalls.

Benefits:

• Added lanes increase the people and freight carrying capacity, enhance transit operations and improve the traffic flow on I-405.
• New “braided ramps” at the I-90 interchange eliminate the traffic weaves between I-405, I-90 and Coal Creek Parkway, reducing conflicts that slow traffic on mainline I-405. These new ramps should eliminate the afternoon backup on I-90 eastbound at I-405 southbound ramps, as drivers will no longer be forced to jockey for road space with vehicles exiting I-405 at Coal Creek Parkway.
• Partial reconstruction of the SR 167/I-405 interchange and inclusion of direct freeway to freeway HOV connection at that location (to and from the north) will reduce weave and merge conflicts that make the SR 167/I-405 interchange the largest choke-point on the I-405 corridor.
• Additional lanes in both directions in Kirkland maintain the full vision identified in the I-405 Corridor Program Plan.
• Expansion of the Brickyard Park-and-Ride, which is currently full.
• Sound Transit and WSDOT investments in HOV Direct Access facilities will improve transit speed and reliability.

Updated: Sept. 22, 2003