WSDOT issues Montlake Project contractor notice to proceed

The Washington State Department of Transportation on Monday gave contractor Graham Contracting LTD its notice to proceed with its design-build of the State Route 520 Montlake Project.

The Montlake Project is one of four remaining SR-520 reconstruction projects, known as “The Rest of the West,” and will make major changes to the Montlake interchange that includes a new West Approach Bridge South for eastbound traffic that will connect to the floating bridge over Lake Washington, a lid over 520 and a bicycle/pedestrian land bridge east of the lid that connects the Washington Park Arboretum and East Montlake Park.

WSDOT selected Graham Contracting as the lowest qualified bidder for the design-build contract at $455.35 million, which was $30 million more than the transportation department’s highest estimate for the Montlake Project.

WSDOT spokesperson Steve Peer tells MPT that for the first few months Graham will be designing details for the project, creating an upcoming work schedule and sequencing of construction, surveying the project area and moving construction trailers on WSDOT project adjacent to the Washington Park Arboretum.

Any noticeable construction work isn’t expected until this summer.

WSDOT is still working on acquiring the Montlake Boulevard Market property, which is being contested in court.