Bellevue to install red-light cameras

Bellevue will have red-light cameras at as many as six intersections and speed cameras near three elementary schools within three to six months.

The Bellevue City Council on Monday approved the one-year pilot project, which is expected to bring in $827,000 from tickets. After the installation of the cameras and a 30-day warning period, police will start issuing $124 tickets for speeding or running red lights.

Council members and police officials said the purpose of the project is to cut down on accidents, not bring in money.

The red-light cameras are used in more than 250 cities in the country, including Seattle and Lynnwood, and are proven to reduce serious accidents and red-light violations, police officials said.

The red-light cameras often have a "halo effect," cutting down on red-light violations across the city, because drivers forget where the cameras are installed and are generally more cautious, Police Chief Linda Pillo said.

The council held a public hearing in December on the pilot project, and some residents opposed the plan, saying it was a money grab and not proven to make the city safer.

The speed cameras will be installed in school zones outside Stevenson, Lake Hills and Sunset elementary schools.

Police have not decided on specific intersections for the red-light cameras, but are looking at 10 locations that are particularly busy and dangerous:

• Westbound Northeast Eighth Street, at 112th Avenue Northeast.

• Westbound Northeast Fourth Street, at the southbound Interstate 405 offramp.

• Westbound Northeast 12th Street, at 116th Avenue Northeast.

• Northbound and southbound 148th Avenue Northeast, at Bellevue Redmond Road.

• Northbound and southbound 140th Avenue Northeast, at Bellevue Redmond Road.

• Southbound 112th Avenue Northeast, at Northeast Fourth Street.

• Southbound 156th Avenue Northeast, at Northeast 24th Street.

• Westbound Northeast Eighth Street, at 116th Avenue Northeast.

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 or abach@seattletimes.com