In 07/2008, it was hoped that the new 520 Bridge could be completed by 2014.
Like the previous Evergreen Point Bridge on this site, the new span over Lake Washington was to become a toll bridge, costing $4-6 per round trip. This was needed to defray the structure's expected $4.4 billion cost. Unlike the old 520, Bridge, the replacement was not planned with a drawbridge. Instead, the height of a portion would be 75 feet, equivalent to that of the paralleled U.S. Interstate 90 Bridge.
Proposition 1 on the 11/06/2007 King, Snohomish, and Pierce County (WA) ballots set aside $1.138 billion Regional Transportation Improvement District (RTID) funds (of the $4.38 billion total cost) for a new 520 Bridge. Even if the measure passed, the replacment bridge would still cost an additional $1.3 billion more. The State hoped that the new span could withstand the effects of "1,000-year-earthquake" and storms with winds of up to 92 m.p.h. In early 2010, newly elected Seattle Mayor, Mike McGinn, sought to change the design of the new 520 Bridge to include a center lane for light rail transit. Others, including the Microsoft Corporation, eager to get the bridge replacement started, did not want to slow down planning by adding the lane.
PCAD id: 8052
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