Originally published September 19, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified September 19, 2007 at 1:59 PM
Bellevue taking traffic below ground
Crossing Northeast Eighth Street in Bellevue on foot or by car can be a challenge, but workers are nearing completion of an underground...
Seattle Times Eastside bureau
Crossing Northeast Eighth Street in Bellevue on foot or by car can be a challenge, but workers are nearing completion of an underground tunnel that should ease the journey.
Workers broke through on a final wall Tuesday, connecting two parking areas beneath Bellevue Place and Lincoln Square.
The privately funded tunnel, which cost $4.5.million, is unusual because it combines both pedestrians and cars, city officials have said.
When the tunnel opens to the public in November, it will connect Lincoln Square, on the south side of the street, with Bellevue Place, on the north side. The tunnel will connect level P3 at Bellevue Place with level P3 at Lincoln Square.
The Bellevue City Council OK'd the tunnel last year, and work started in January.
The tunnel, about 45 feet below street level, is two traffic lanes, or 36 feet, wide and includes a pedestrian walkway. It measures 17 ½ feet high and 96 feet long.
Kemper Development and city officials calculated how many vehicles would use the tunnel and figured it would come to about 800 vehicles daily, including shoppers, workers and hotel guests. It will result in 234,733 vehicle trips being taken off the street each year, according to their figuring.
The tunnel is expected to provide customers with more parking options, especially during busy seasons.
Peyton Whitely: 206-464-2259 or pwhitely@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
631 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
193 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
177 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
163 - KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
133 - Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
119 - Prosecutor weighs death penalty in police slaying
103 - Wright State game thread
97 - Person of interest in custody in connection with Greenwood arsons
94 - Rang says Locker not ready for NFL
85
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15
- Boeing: 787 fix is complete on first plane
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks





