Congested Bothell intersection slated for major improvement

Drivers in Bothell know the intersection at Highway 527 and 228th Street well. It’s one of the most congested spots in the region.

Drivers are guaranteed a 10-minute delay, every day, but help is on the way.

The stretch of 228th is the main east-west route for commuters trying to get to I-405 at the Canyon Park interchange on the north side of Bothell. Approximately 40,000 people a day travel through this intersection.

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Drivers block other intersections as they wait to turn left to eventually access I-405. Traffic is at a standstill at peak commute times.

KIRO Radio listener Kim Griffin said the only way to fix the problem is to add another turn lane. That’s exactly what the city is going to do.

“This project that we are working on is primarily a safety project. But it will help congestion. It’s also congestion relief because of the safety issue we’ve seen over the years,” said Eddie Low, deputy public works director of Bothell.

“If you’re trying to get down the hill and get to the freeway, you will be able to clear the intersection in one cycle, which is really good performance. You will have to wait, but it will provide that relief immediately,” he said.

I personally have been stuck at that intersection, not moving for four or five light cycles, so to hear I might be able to get through it in one cycle is big news.

“It will be four months of construction and it’s weather dependent, but that is our expected time to complete it,” Low said. “We will get relief next year, early next year.”

Construction begins next month.