CHOKEPOINTS
Four-month closure coming for SR 520 ramp in Redmond
Apr 7, 2022, 5:59 AM | Updated: 7:04 am
(Chris Sullivan)
(Chris Sullivan)
You cannot get there from here. That will be the advice in Redmond for the next four months as South Transit closes a ramp to westbound SR 520.
We’re getting to the home stretch in setting the final alignment for the light rail extension into downtown Redmond, and that means it’s time to finalize the connection from Marymoor Park to near Redmond Way, which goes under SR 520.
The problem is that the existing ramp to westbound 520 from NE 76th Street and eastbound Redmond Way is blocking the path, and it has to go.
“The alignment for the light rail is going to be at grade, and therefore the new ramp is going to have to go over the alignment,” Sound Transit’s John Gallagher said.
Next week, April 15, the westbound 520 on-ramp there will be closed for four months so a new elevated on-ramp can be built.
“We did this previously, last year, for the eastbound off-ramp from 520 at Redmond Way,” Gallagher said. “The problem is for the westbound ramp there isn’t enough room to build a temporary ramp as we did last year so we just have to close.”
This is going to cause significant detours for drivers trying to access westbound 520 from the shopping area off of 76th, which includes Fred Meyer, Target, and Home Depot. You’re going to have to maneuver to westbound Redmond Way where the ramp to 520 is still open.
Those coming from eastbound Redmond Way will have to work their way behind the Redmond Town Center to Leary Way.
“This is a major closure,” Gallagher said. “It’s a big deal so people should be aware of it, and they should make plans accordingly. They should leave some extra time. They should figure out what their appropriate detours are.”
Again, this closure begins next Friday, April 15. Drivers will have the weekend to get prepared before the first real commute.
And for the sake of avoiding confusion, you can still use the westbound 520 on-ramp from westbound Redmond Way, which is called SR 202 or the Redmond-Fall City Road.
The light rail extension into downtown Redmond is still scheduled for opening in 2024.
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