Renton To Bellevue I-405 Widening Project Takes Big Step

RENTON, WA — The beginning of the end (maybe) of interminable delays along I-405 between Renton and Bellevue may be in sight.

This week, WSDOT awarded a $705 million contract to widen I-405 between SR 167 in Renton and Northeast 6th Street in Bellevue. When complete in 2024, there will be two new tolled express lanes between the two cities in each direction. The new toll lanes will be built next to the existing HOV lanes.

When the Renton to Bellevue widening is complete, there will be about 40 miles of express toll lanes between Auburn and Lynnwood.

The project will also help build Sound Transit's bus rapid transit line between Lynnwood and Burien. The contractor will also build a key piece of Eastrail, the multi-modal path that begins at Gene Coulon and will eventually stretch all the way to Snohomish County. A large chunk of the path in Bellevue between I-90 and SR 520 still has to be built.

The new contractor will begin designing the project this fall. Construction could begin by early 2020, according to WSDOT.