The City of Redmond advertised for construction bids last Friday, one day after the Puget Sound Regional Council (PRSC) selected the Northeast 36th Street Bridge project for $11 million of funding from the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

This project, which will cost $36.5 million, is a partnership between the City of Redmond and Microsoft Corp. to construct a new bridge over State Route 520 that will better connect the Overlake Neighborhood, including the Microsoft Campus. Without this bridge connection, projected population and employment growth in the Overlake area is expected to overwhelm the existing 40th Street connection over SR 520.

The bridge project includes one through lane in each direction, bike lanes, sidewalks, direct connections to the SR 520 Trail and intersection improvements. It also accommodates the future Sound Transit Link Light Rail alignment.

“The Overlake area is classified as a dedicated regional center by the PRSC and our vision is for it to become a vibrant urban neighborhood with more amenities and activities to draw people to live, work and visit,” stated Redmond Mayor John Marchione. “This bridge will improve circulation of people and goods by linking the east and west sides of the Overlake employment center across SR 520.”

In addition to the ARRA funds, the project is receiving $2.5 million from the Federal Highway Administration and a combined $23 million from the City of Redmond and Microsoft.

“This project is designed and ready to go,” stated Bill Campbell, Public Works Director. “We knew it was an ideal candidate for ARRA funding and are pleased we can help put some people back to work in our area.”

Throughout the region, the PRSC distributed $214 million in economic recovery funding which in turn will support the completion of projects representing a combined transportation investment in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties of $4 billion.