Groundbreaking paves way for new Eastside transit center

A unique partnership between Evergreen Healthcare, the City of Kirkland and Sound Transit broke ground today on a project that will result in a new transit center for the growing Totem Lake area. 

“The Evergreen Gateway Building and Sound Transit Totem Lake Transit Center is a community collaboration that will improve services for the citizens of this area in so many ways,” Evergreen CEO Steve Brown said. “It will make traveling to Evergreen and the new Totem Lake Mall so much easier and convenient. It will also create a hub of energy for Kirkland’s entire Totem Lake neighborhood.” 

The $7.7 million Totem Lake Transit Center project will be funded by Sound Transit and constructed on the Evergreen Medical Center campus integrated with a new five story medical office building to be constructed at the same time. Evergreen Healthcare will serve as lead on the project’s construction. 

“The Gateway Building will give us added space to continue delivering the very best possible health care to this community,” Brown said. “We at Evergreen are honored to be part of this exciting partnership.” 

Plans for the six-bay transit center include sheltered passenger waiting areas, rider amenities and bus layover space.  As part of the project, improvements will be made to the intersection of 120th Ave NE and NE 128th Ave.  

“It’s exciting to see yet another eastside transportation project taking root,” said Kirkland City Council and Sound Transit Board member Mary-Alyce Burleigh. “From Eastgate to Bellevue to Totem Lake, Canyon Park and Bothell – Sound Transit is at work up and down I-405.” 

The site is close to several major employers in addition to Evergreen Healthcare and Totem Lake Mall. It will improve commuter access to transit services including the nearby Totem Lake HOV Direct Access ramps and new 124th St. bridge over I-405 - both new Sound Transit projects. 

Howard S. Wright Construction successfully won the bid to build the project, which is expected to take 18 months and should be completed in late summer or early fall of 2008. 

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Sound Transit’s regional network of express buses, commuter rail, light rail and transit facilities connects communities in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.