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WSDOT gives timeline for NE 85th interchange work; Sound Transit weighs ST3 delivery options
Summary
WSDOT told Kirkland the NE 85th interchange is moving toward a major traffic shift to the lowered‑85th configuration this spring, with freeway directional closures likely for fish‑culvert work; Sound Transit reported an enterprise initiative to close a $35 billion ST3 funding gap and said options range from design changes to multi‑year phasing, with no specific Kirkland projects on the table yet.
WSDOT and City of Kirkland staff updated the council on progress and upcoming work at the NE 85th/405 interchange — a major, multi‑level reconstruction intended to improve transit, pedestrian and bicycle connections and deliver Sound Transit BRT (Stride) stations in the corridor.
WSDOT engineers described phases completed to date (demolition of old collector/distributor bridges, mainline bridge construction, and substantial utility relocations) and said the project team expects to switch traffic into the lowered‑85th configuration in mid‑April, with directional freeway closures possible in early May to accommodate fish passage and final paving. The next months will include completing middle‑level bridge work, setting final pavements and finishing Sound Transit platform and station work; the project team emphasized extensive community outreach and advance notice for weekend/night closures.
Sound Transit staff briefed the council on regional ST3 challenges. The agency is managing a $35 billion funding gap for ST3 delivery and launched an "enterprise initiative" to identify cost‑saving levers. The initiative groups potential moves into four tiers: project‑level design changes, operational and design efficiency measures, service‑level changes (for example, station omissions), and schedule/phasing changes that may delay segments by years. Sound Transit emphasized the process is exploratory: it has not proposed specific changes for Kirkland projects but will evaluate options with partners and present recommendations to the board in May–June.
