May 2, 2008 – Starting this week cabling, antennas and other equipment are being installed on 220th near traffic signals between 56th to 70th Avenues as part of Community Transit’s (CT) South Snohomish - Regional Transit Signal Priority project to improve on-time performance.

The Transit Signal Priority (TSP) system was designed to improve schedules by allowing buses approaching an intersection to communicate with the traffic controller network.  If the bus is late, the signal controller will hold the green light long enough for the bus to pass, as long as the extra time does not disrupt signal coordination.  Otherwise, the bus will get a red light.  Most drivers will not notice this subtle change in the signal operation. 

Part of a larger TSP system that includes SR 99, arterials in Lynnwood and other cities in South Snohomish County, the 220th Street SW system project is being managed by the City of Lynnwood in coordination with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

Verizon is currently installing overhead fiber optic cable and working on directional boring for installation of underground conduit and fiber optic cable throughout South Snohomish County.  The City receives a daily schedule from Verizon that details where their 3 to 4 crews are working in Mountlake Terrace, so that City inspectors can monitor the construction work.  Verizon work crews indicate that they are notifying residents prior to working in their neighborhood.  Verizon estimates that the Mountlake Terrace project, including all right of way restoration, will be completed in 2010.

The Mountlake Terrace Transit Center, a four-story, five level parking garage with a capacity of 660 cars is currently under construction on the site of the Mountlake Terrace Park & Ride lot. The Community Transit Board of Directors voted unanimously to select Berschauer Phillips Construction Company of Tumwater, which submitted a bid of $15,287,000 for the project.

The parking garage is being constructed on the lower portion of the current park & ride, next to Interstate 5. The upper parking lot is being renovated to accommodate about 230 cars for a total of about 890 parking spaces. When complete in 2009, the facility will include large shelter areas, a glass elevator, landscaping and many security features.

United States Congressman Jay Inslee spoke at Community Transit’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Park and Ride Expansion project on December 14. The Mountlake Terrace Park & Ride closed for construction Saturday, Dec. 15.

Arrangements were made with downtown businesses, churches and the City of Mountlake Terrace for about 390 interim parking spaces between 53rd and 58th Avenues W. and 228th and 236th Streets SW. This parking option will remain available throughout the park & ride's closure.

All buses that serve the park & ride continue to operate on current routes. An interim stop for routes 408, 414, 477, 810, 851 and 871 is available in the 23200 block of 56th Avenue W., and includes bus shelters, bike lockers and bike racks. Those routes will continue to serve the stops at 236th Street SW and Interstate 5, just outside the park & ride.

The new transit center will provide a connection to Sound Transit's planned Mountlake Terrace Flyer Station, which will be built as a separate project in the I-5 median about a year after the garage is finished.

For more information about this project, click here or contact Community Transit at (425) 353-RIDE or (800) 562-1375 for bus information, or (888) 814-1300 for carpool or vanpool information, or visit their website at www.communitytransit.org.

Pictured here is a conceptual drawing of Community Transit’s new parking garage at the Park & Ride Lot located at I-5 and 236th Street SW. The new facility is scheduled to break ground in 2008 and will accommodate about 900 vehicles. This project is being coordinated with Sound Transit’s Freeway Station that connect to the parking garage via pedestrian bridge over the freeway. The Freeway Station will provide express bus service for our community and these projects highlight Mountlake Terrace‘s convenient location and access to major employment areas within the Puget Sound Region. Construction is currently planned for late 2008 with completion in 2009.
read more >>

A new 12” diameter main will be installed between 232^nd and Lakeview Drive to increase the available fire flow in the area.

Following the installation of water main improvements, 65^th/66^th Avenues between 232^nd and Lakeview Drive will be repaved. Cities of Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace are also planning to repave 212^th between 44^th and 52^nd as a joint project. Besides an asphalt overlay, the work includes new sidewalk ramps meeting ADA design standards, and new pavement markings.

This project provides for the construction of the final segment of the City’s Interurban Trail, that portion between route between 226^th Place SW and 228^th Street SW.

The streets to be chip sealed are those within the area bounded by 236^th, 244^th, 48^th, and 56^th, but excluding 52^nd.

The improvements include a 12-inch diameter storm drain and a 12-inch diameter water main in Terrace Creek Park. The pipelines will extend easterly from 53^rd Avenue, near the Pavilion, down the steep slope to the flat area adjacent to wetlands and Terrace Creek. At that location, a storm water infiltration facility will be constructed.

This project is a combination of smaller storm and sanitary improvements at numerous locations throughout the City. Nearly all of the improvements are undertaken to replace sewer and storm systems that are failing and require high levels of maintenance, or to make minor modifications to improve access to portions of these systems which are difficult to properly maintain.