| Today's SR 520 |
Tomorrow's SR 520 |
| The floating bridge is vulnerable to wind and waves. |
The new floating bridge is designed to withstand 92 mph winds. |
| SR 520 structures are vulnerable to earthquakes. |
SR 520 structures are being designed to better withstand earthquakes.
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Two general-purpose lanes in each direction, and no HOV lanes.
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Two general-purpose lanes and one transit/HOV lane in each direction will move more people and goods. |
| Disabled vehicles can block traffic for hours. |
Widened shoulders will allow disabled vehicles to pull out of traffic. |
| Vehicles entering or exiting the highway can slow traffic on surface streets. |
Rebuilt overpasses and on- and off-ramps throughout the project area will improve traffic flow. |
No bicycle/pedestrian access across
Lake Washington. |
Bicycle/pedestrian path will offer new commuting choices. |
| Existing highway limits neighborhood connections. |
Park-like lids will reconnect neighborhoods, improve transit service and increase recreation options. |
| Noise from the highway reaches local neighborhoods and parks. |
New noise reduction solutions and techniques will reduce highway noise for nearby neighborhoods and parks. |
Water runs off SR 520 and into Lake Washington and streams untreated.
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Polluted runoff will be captured and filtered before being released into Lake Washington and streams. |
| Culverts prevent fish from migrating upstream. |
New roadway structure will remove fish migration barriers. |
| Buses are stuck in general-purpose traffic. |
Improved transit service moves through the corridor with greater reliability in the transit/HOV lanes. |
Commuters stuck in traffic on today's four-lane bridge.
This conceptual graphic shows the proposed floating bridge with two new HOV lanes, wider lanes and shoulders, and a bicycle/pedestrian path.