County transportation staff brief committee on quick-take authority and Randall Road, HOPs projects

Tom Rickard, King County Division of Transportation, updated the Legislative Committee Feb. 19 on several transportation items: quick-take legislation, the Randall Road/HOPs (Hopps at Randall) interchange project, and county safety planning under the federal Safe Streets for All program.

Rickard said Senate bill 1909 (the “quick take” bill) is moving forward and that county engineers and lobbyists are coordinating to ensure a smooth process. He reminded the committee that quick-take authority is controlled by the state and used sparingly to expedite land acquisition for high-priority public projects.

Rickard also described the Randall Road projects: a required bridge replacement on Randall Road over I‑90 and associated capacity work; he estimated the combined project could cost roughly $60–$75 million and said the county has five to 10 years to plan and fund the replacement. He outlined public outreach events, including a public meeting for the county’s safety action plan at the Edward Schock Center of Elgin this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, and noted the county will pursue federal and state funding, and coordinate with the tollway and CMAP. Rickard provided committee members with a brochure summarizing prioritized regional projects the county will discuss with federal and state legislators.

Committee members asked about property-owner notification during quick-take and whether pedestrian and bicycle improvements could be phased; staff said outreach has included multiple mailings and certified notices to affected landowners and that pedestrian/bicycle elements can be phased depending on project funding.