Sound Transit and partners break ground for Totem Lake Freeway Station and HOV ramps

Officials from Sound Transit joined today with their partners - the Washington State Department of Transportation, City of Kirkland and King County Metro - to break ground for a new Totem Lake Freeway Station, HOV access ramps and overpass on Interstate 405.

"Interstate-405 is one of the region's most important - and most crowded - corridors," said Sound Transit Boardmember and Bellevue Mayor Connie Marshall. "This project is just one part of Sound Transit's regional system that will help improve the speed and reliability of ST Express and King County Metro bus service."

HOV access ramps allow buses, carpools and vanpools to exit and enter the freeway from the inside HOV lanes without crossing several lanes of traffic, making for quicker stops for passengers at stations and eliminating the need to weave through other traffic to get to the general exit ramp.

The project also includes public art and a pedestrian walkway connecting the Kingsgate Park-and-Ride lot with the new freeway transit station on the direct-access ramps.

Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2007.

See additional Totem Lake project details>>

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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.