The Washington Department of Transportation in 2016 replaced Seattle’s 520 Bridge with one that was more resilient to earthquakes and storms. From there, WSDOT launched its $1.5 billion “Rest of the West” effort, improving safety and transportation access from the bridge to Highway 5. Roughly one quarter of the effort is the Montlake project, which will add a tunnel-like underlid for traffic and a bike-pedestrian path.

Glumac is providing commissioning services for the project. The commissioning agents will test the systems that support the underlid, along with the lighting on the pedestrian paths and nearby streets. The project team will use similar fire protection and fire detection systems as were used on SR 99 Alaksan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel, to streamline all WSDOT’s projects of this nature.

The team hopes the designated pedestrian ways and new lighting will provide an added level of safety, especially for students and staff at the adjacent University of Washington campus, in addition to easing traffic and improving access for cars.

Commissioned Systems

• Intelligent transportation
• Utilities
• Cameras
• Traffic metering
• Signage
• Active traffic management
• Mechanical
• Automated fire detection
• Street lighting
• Underlid lighting
• Pedestrian/Bike lane lighting

Size: 1/2 mile
Construction Cost: $455 million
Start/End Date: October 2019 / 2024
Contractor: Graham Construction
Owner: Washington Department of Transportation
Services: Commissioning