CITY OF KIRKLAND Department of Public Works 123 Fifth Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033 425.587.3800
www.kirklandwa.gov
MEMORANDUM
To: Kurt Triplett, City Manager From: Kathy Brown, Public Works Director Joel Pfundt, AICP CTP, Transportation Manager Date: April 19, 2018 Subject: I-405 Bus Rapid Transit NE 85th St Inline Station and Interchange Project RECOMMENDATION:
That City Council receive a presentation from City of Kirkland staff, along with staff from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Sound Transit, regarding an update on the I-405 Bus Rapid Transit NE 85th St Inline Station and Interchange Project.
BACKGROUND DISCUSSION: Sound Transit and WSDOT are planning improvements to the I-405/NE 85th Street interchange, including a future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) inline station. BRT is a key element of the multimodal I-405 Master Plan. On November 8, 2016 voters approved the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) plan, which included funding for I-405 BRT and the NE 85th Street interchange and inline BRT station, as well as bus access lanes from NE 85th Street to 6th Street near Kirkland Urban. WSDOT, Sound Transit, the City of Kirkland and King County Metro have been working together on the NE 85th Street inline station and interchange project since 2017. One of the first steps in this process was to work collaboratively to identify the following priorities for the project:
Provide strong transit connections to routes on NE 85th Street and a pleasant rider experience
Ensure safe and comfortable connections for people walking and biking Align with City of Kirkland Vision and WSDOT’s I-405 Master Plan Maintain operations of express toll and general purpose lanes Maximize the project’s benefits within budget
These project priorities, also referred to as “items of importance,” were developed during day #1 of a design charrette held on August 17, 2017. The design charrette was attended by staff from WSDOT, Sound Transit, the City of Kirkland and King County Metro; as well as representatives of the Kirkland City Council.
Council Meeting: 05/01/2018 Agenda: Special Presentations Item #: 3. a.
The WSDOT design team then developed 24+ design concepts that could be categorized into the following six project groups:
Group 1 – Loop Interchange Concepts Group 2 – Alternate Location Concepts Group 3 – Alternate Interchange Concepts Group 4 – Single Intersection Concepts Group 5 – Non-Signalized Interchange Concepts Group 6 – Separated Transit Interchange Concepts
The design concepts represented by these six projects groups were then evaluated against the “items of importance” to determine which concepts should be advanced for further design refinement and evaluation. The project groups and evaluation was presented to the Transportation Commission at its March 28, 2018 meeting and at day #2 of the design charrette, which was held on April 19, 2018. The April 19, 2018 design charrette was attended by staff from WSDOT, Sound Transit, the City of Kirkland and King County Metro, as well as representatives from the Kirkland City Council and Kirkland Transportation Commission. The presentation from the design charrette is included as Attachment A. The attendees of the design charrette agreed that the project represented by Group 6 (Separated Transit Interchange Concepts) was the preferred design. This design concept is a three-level interchange, with NE 85th Street general purpose traffic on the bottom level; transit access, BRT station, and pedestrian/bicycle circulation on the middle level; and I-405 general purpose lanes and express toll lanes on the top level. The current plan is that I-405 BRT riders would connect to downtown Kirkland via transit using bus-only lanes on NE 85th Street between I-405 and 6th Street. Sound Transit, WSDOT and the City of Kirkland are co-hosting a public meeting on April 26, 2018 in the Commons Room at Lake Washington High School from 5:30 to 7:30 to share information about the interchange design. Sound Transit, WSDOT and City staff will also be presenting the latest information on the interchange design to the Kirkland Transportation Commission at their April 25, 2018 meeting. Sounds Transit and WSDOT staff are attending the May 1, 2018 study session in order to:
Provide City Council with an overview of the design screening process. Update City Council on the design charrette held on April 19, 2018; the April 25, 2018
Transportation Commission meeting; and the April 26, 2018 public meeting. Share next steps, which will ultimately lead to the Sound Transit Board of Directors
taking action to advance the project to the next stage of design. This is currently scheduled for the July Board of Directors meeting.
I-405/NE 85th Street Interchange and Inline StationCharrette Day #2
Executive SessionKirkland City Hall, Peter Kirk RoomApril 17, 2018
Attachment A
Introductions and Welcome
2
Kim Henry, P.E.I-405/SR 167 Program Administrator
WSDOT
Bernard Van De KampEast Corridor Development Director
Sound Transit
Amy DanbergFacilitator
Agenda• Background and context• Design concepts and evaluations• Discussion• Next steps• Action items and adjourn
3
Today’s objectives• Review 85th design concepts and their evaluations• Confirm design concept to move forward• Review next steps
Background and context
4
Cynthia PadillaI-405 BRT project manager
(Bellevue to Lynnwood)Sound Transit
I-405/NE 85th Street Inline Station and Interchange Project
• Central Kirkland station for new I-405 Bus Rapid transit system
• WSDOT and Sound Transit signed partnering agreement in early 2018
• Conceptual design and stakeholder engagement under way
• Next steps: Preliminary engineering and environmental review
5
Recap: August 2017 Charrette Day 1 workshop August 17, 2017
Interagency participation: • Sound Transit• City of Kirkland• King County Metro• WSDOT
Objectives:• All participants will have a good understanding of the I-405 Master Plan, Sound
Transit and King County transit plans for the NE 85th Street area, and Kirkland’s land use and transportation vision.
• WSDOT will gather input on items of importance and priorities from stakeholders.
• Group will identify screening criteria to set up second session for evaluation of concepts.
6
Items of importance (from Aug. 2017 charrette)
Transit Connectivity Provide transit connectivity between I-405 BRT and NE 85th Street transit routes Improve ST Express, King County Metro, and I-405 BRT Operations Maintain/enhance ability to connect to Cross-Kirkland Corridor Facilitate connectivity (ease of transfer between I-405 BRT and NE 85th Street routes) Rider experience/environment while waiting during transfers (lighting, shelter, etc.) Consider paratransit connections Facilitate connections to existing park and ride capacity (e.g. 70th)
Non-Motorized Mobility/Connectivity Provide non-motorized connectivity to major destinations east and west of I-405 (bike/walk
combination) Minimize pedestrian travel time (all pedestrians in general area) Create safe, comfortable pedestrian experience/environment for all ages/abilities (art,
experience, placemaking) Consider grades/gaps when planning for pedestrian facilities Incorporate bike lockers/racks
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Items of importance (from Aug. 2017 charrette)
Kirkland Vision Be consistent with existing and future land use plans and facilitate future growth opportunities Provide Express Toll Lane access from NE 85th Street corridor Leverage/create partnership opportunities with local businesses/services re: transit/carpool
operations and drop-off/pick-up locations Provide for flexibility and creativity through design options
Compatibility with Master Plans Do not preclude Master Plan alternatives and minimize added future cost Build toward the Master Plans
Vehicular Traffic Operations/Interchange Performance Maintain or improve I-405 express toll lane and general purpose operations Improve multimodal local area operations (e.g., NE 85th Street vicinity) Optimize transit movements
Cost Maximize project benefits within budget Be creative with ST budget proviso commitments (last mile) Pursue other funding opportunities if needed Meet schedule and minimize construction duration
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Statement of Need
9
Multimodal connectivity between I-405 Bus Rapid Transit and the NE 85th Street corridor to fulfill the City of Kirkland’s vision and the I-405 Master Plan, including express toll lanes.
Considerations identified by stakeholders for further discussion
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Non-motorized access and mobility issues • BRT and local stop locations and design• Bike parking facilities• Connections between inline station and Cross Kirkland Corridor,
local streets, greenways• Urban design
Motorized access and mobility issues • Kiss and ride/drop-off facilities• Compatibility for automated/connected vehicles• Existing local street traffic issues• Existing intersections at 114th and 120th Ave NE• Coordination with 85th BAT lanes
Design concepts and evaluations
11
Diana Giraldo, P.E.I-405 Design Manager
WSDOT
Barrett Hanson, P.E.I-405 Engineering Manager
WSDOT
Existing Conditions: NE 85th Street Vicinity
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Clover Leaf–type InterchangeLoop ramps to/from I-405 general purpose lanes
COSTCO
Pedestrian bridgeNon-motorized traffic over I-405 at NE 80th Street
Cross Kirkland Corridor
LEE JOHNSON
Traffic Congestion at NE 85th StreetMorning peak traffic congestion Afternoon peak traffic congestion
• High volumes on all interchange ramps.• Closely spaced intersections create congestion issues• Heavy turning movements to/from driveways and cross
streets• Congestion up to four hours during peak periods• Queues from 85th/ 120th intersection into interchange area
13
Design Concepts Review
24+ initial design concepts
Six groups of concepts:
• Group 1 – Loop Interchange Concepts• Group 2 – Alternate Location Concepts • Group 3 – Alternate Interchange Concepts • Group 4 – Single Intersection Concepts • Group 5 – Non-Signalized Interchange Concepts • Group 6 – Separated Transit Interchange Concepts
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Group 1 – Loop Interchange Concepts
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Group 2 – Alternate Location Concepts
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Group 3 – Alternate Interchange Concepts
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Group 4 – Single Intersection Concepts
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Group 5 – Non-Signalized Interchange Concepts
19
Group 6 – Separated Transit Interchange Concepts
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Group 6 – Separated Transit Interchange Concepts
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NE 85th Street
Local bus stop
BRT stop
BRT stop
Preliminary Evaluation
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Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6
Criteria Rep. (Loops)
Alt.Loc
Alt. I/C Types
Single Inter.
Non-Signal
Sep.Transit
Transit Connectivity N/A
Non-MotorizedMobility/Connectivity N/A
Kirkland Vision N/A
Compatibility with Master Plans N/A
Traffic Operations & I/CPerformance N/A Incomplete
Cost N/AGreater
than Group 6
Representative Project (modified)
23
Local bus stops(west side, 85th Street level)
Local bus stops (east side, 85th st level)
BRT stations(at I-405 level, requires four elevators and four staircases)
Pedestrian bridgesCrossings over I-405 loop ramps at 8% maximum grade, sharp turns at switchbacks
Compatibility Space for future direct access ramps to I-405 express toll lanes
COSTCO
LEE JOHNSON
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Representative Project (modified)
Separated Transit Interchange Concept
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BRT stationsBelow I-405 level, no vertical transfer required to 85th
Local bus stops at same level as BRT stops
Level 1 New (Bottom)for through traffic on 85th
Pedestrian walkwaysMaximum 5% grade, no switchbacks
Level 3 (Top)I-405 mainline
Level 2 (Middle)Access to/from I-405 express toll lanes for transit and express toll lane users
COSTCO
LEE JOHNSON
Separated Transit Interchange Concept
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Comparison of two concepts
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Representative (modified) Separated Transit Interchange
Transit Connectivity 6-10 minute walk between BRT & local stops
1-2 minute walk between BRT & local stops
Non-MotorizedMobility/Connectivity
9 minute walk across interchange (2,200 feet with stairs/elevators)
6 minute walk across interchange (1,300 feet at same level)
Kirkland Vision Challenges for non-motorized access, limited drop-off/pick-up opportunities
Improved non-motorized access, greater drop-off/pick-up opportunities
Compatibility with Master Plans
Does not preclude direct access ramp to I-405 express toll lanes
Builds direct access ramp to I-405 express toll lanes
Traffic Operations & I/C Performance
Similar performance and challenges
Cost* ~$300M-330M ~$235M-260M
* Estimate in 2017 dollars* Estimate includes project development, right‐of‐way, and design‐build construction costs
Charrette Evaluation of Concepts
28
Criteria Rep.(Modified)
Separated Transit
Transit Connectivity
Non-Motorized Mobility/Connectivity
Kirkland Vision
Compatibility with Master Plans
Traffic Operations & I/C Performance
Cost
Discussion
29
Amy DanbergFacilitator
Next Steps
30
Cynthia PadillaI-405 BRT project manager
(Bellevue to Lynnwood)Sound Transit
37
Overview of outreach
31
Next steps: Long term
32
Action items and adjourn
33
Amy DanbergFacilitator