Sammamish gets federal stimulus dollars
March 13, 2009
By J.B. Wogan
New: March 13, 11:16 a.m.
Sammamish is due to receive $3.5 million in federal stimulus funding for an extension of its East Lake Sammamish Parkway project.
The Puget Sound Regional Council announced March 12 which projects it had selected to receive funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Nine projects from King County or its cities will receive economic recovery money from the Federal Highway Administration, while another three county projects will receive funding through the Federal Transit Administration.
Spanning about a mile from Northeast Inglewood Road to Northeast 28th Place, the revamped piece of East Lake Sammamish Parkway would add a third lane, alternating between a median and a left-turn lane depending on the section, with commuter bike lanes on both sides of the street and a sidewalk on the east side. The project would also add a sand vault to filter and treat stormwater running off the road and into Lake Sammamish.
The added “stimulus” money would not supplant current funding set aside for the half-mile parkway project approved by the City Council in December, according to City Engineer Laura Philpot.
The council approved revisions to a half-mile strip for $8.7 million (though the most recent cost estimate was $5.8 million) from Northeast Inglewood Hill Road to Northeast 18th Place. The federal funding would help extend the construction north of Northeast 18th Place, according to Public Works Director John Cunningham.
It’s unclear how much of the road could be covered by the $3.5 million and the council might have to approve using some city funds if it wanted to complete all of Phase 1 — that is, from Northeast 18th Place to Northeast 28th Place. The City Council will have to decide how to best allocate the $3.5 million, Cunningham said.
The city has a master plan to revamp about 2.5 miles of East Lake Sammamish Parkway, from Northeast Inglewood Hill Road to 187th Avenue Northeast, though it has only approved funding for one part of the first planned phase. Another two phases would ensue, assuming the City Council funds them at a later date.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
