Bellevue Council Reviews Eastgate Congestion Fixes

BELLEVUE, WA - The City Council has taken the first steps toward moving forward with two Eastgate congestion relief projects that will be paid for in part by proceeds from a new tax levy approved by voters in November.

The Council reviewed plans for improvements along 150th Avenue Southwest south of I-90 in Eastgate that should ease traffic during the evening commute.

These are the improvements:

• 150th Avenue Southeast and Southeast Newport Way: The project would add a 600-foot long, southbound right-turn lane on 150th at Newport Way, along with a sidewalk on the west side of the street. The estimated cost of the improvements is $2.6 million.
• 150th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 37th Street: This project would improve the east, west and north legs of the intersection by creating or expanding turn lanes and widening the roadway or shoulder at some locations. The estimated cost is $2.8 million.

Voters approved the Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion levy in November by a margin of 54 to 45 percent. The levy costs 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, which would be about $75 per year for an owner of a home valued at $500,000. The levy will raise about $140 million for congestion improvements over its lifetime.

Image via City of Bellevue