May 4, 2022

7 teams vie for $200M interchange, new BRT station on I-405 in Kirkland

WSDOT image [enlarge]

The new interchange will have three levels, with the top carrying both directions of I-405.

Seven teams have submitted their qualifications to design and build a new interchange at Northeast 85th Street and Interstate 405 in Kirkland that includes a new inline BRT station. The state Department of Transportation estimates the project's contract at $200 million-$225 million.

The project will replace the existing two-level cloverleaf interchange with a three-level interchange, and construct local improvements along 85th and its intersection with 114th Avenue Northeast/Kirkland Way. Traffic on 85th will flow on the bottom level of the new interchange; the bus rapid transit station, non-motorized facilities and express toll lane direct access ramps will be on the middle level; and the freeway will be on the top. Plans include a passenger pick up and drop off location in the northwest quadrant of the intersection, as well as bike and pedestrian access.

Development of the new intersection will require construction of several mainline roadways and eight bridges at 85th. The intersection of 85th and 114th will be reconstructed into a roundabout. Total site work will involve about 350,000 cubic yards of excavation.

The seven teams seeking the work are led by big names in the horizontal construction industry: a joint venture of Aecon Pacific Northwest and American Bridge Co.; Guy F. Atkinson Construction; Graham Contracting; Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.; a joint venture of Lane Construction and Max J. Kuney Co.; Skanska USA Civil West; and Walsh Construction Co. II (The Walsh Group). WSDOT plans to shortlist the top three teams on May 27.

(Editor's note: An earlier edition misspelled Aecon Pacific Northwest.)

Documents posted by WSDOT indicate an apparent best value contractor will be announced on Nov. 16, with a notice to proceed on Dec. 19. WSDOT expects to have the intersection open to traffic in summer 2026. Substantial completion will follow in December of that year.

The project includes voluntary participation goals of 10% for minority business enterprises, 5% for small businesses, 5% for veteran businesses and 6% for women business enterprises.