May 7, 2009

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WSDOT Public Meeting Set for May 11 on
Proposed 11-Month Closure of Portion of Benson Road

Alternate routes:  During a proposed Benson Road closure drivers would use SR 167, SR 515 or SR 169 to detour around the construction zone on Benson Road between Renton City Hall and in the vicinity north of Eagle Ridge Drive S.  Local access will be maintained. WSDOT has identified neighborhoods possibly affected in orange and red; we have added additional neighborhoods in dark blue.                                    Map - WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is proposing an 11-month closure of a portion of Benson Road, and the Renton City Council has been asked to vote on this proposed closure.

This closure could surprise a number of communities who depend on multiple commuter routes to reduce rush-hour congestion. Concerns will be heard at a public meeting on May 11.

Scope of the Project
WSDOT is widening I-405 between SR 167 and SR 169, building a new half-diamond interchange at SR 515 (Talbot Road) and reconstructing the Benson Road bridge over I-405. The half-diamond interchange at SR 515 will consist of an off-ramp from southbound I-405 to Talbot Road and an on-ramp to northbound I-405 from Talbot Road. The completion of the new interchange at SR 515 will improve access to Renton and be the first step in reducing congestion in the Renton area on I-405. The additional lanes on I-405 will increase the I-405 general purpose roadway capacity by 50%.

According to the WSDOT website, three major reasons are driving this proposed closure:

• Reduce Benson Road construction impacts by 11 months.
• Complete the new I-405 ramps two to six months early.
• Reduce the overall project duration.

Closure proposed to begin in October
To reconstruct Benson Road and the bridge over I-405 WSDOT is proposing an 11-month closure of the road between Renton City Hall and Eagle Ridge Dr S. Drivers can expect an increase in congestion and delays on Renton city streets while Benson Road is closed. The closure would start as soon this October. Benson Road would reopen to traffic in August 2010.

Public Hearing Set for Monday, May 11
The Renton City Council will host a public hearing on the proposed Benson Road closure on Monday, May 11 at 7 pm at Renton City Hall.  At the hearing, citizens will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the Renton City Council on the proposed closure. 

The Council will vote on the closure on May 18.

if you are interested in this issue and are unable to attend, written comments will be accepted until Monday, May 11th, at 5:00pm at the City Clerk's office. Please e-mail comments to Bonnie Walton at bwalton@rentonwa.gov, or drop off a letter at the Clerk's office on the 7th floor of Renton City Hall - (1055 S. Grady Way) (must be received no later than 5:00pm, May 11th).  Please include your full name and full address on any written comment so your opinion can be acknowledged and read into the public hearing record.

For more information on the meeting, you may contact the City Clerk's office at (425) 430-6510.

Confusion, Limited Publicity for Big Project
The City of Renton recently sent out postcards to some of the nearby neighborhoods about the meeting, but some feel this communication about this closure and public meetings should have been publicized better.

"For a closure of this magnitude, word should be getting out to the community in a more efficient, clear and precise manner.  And since there was only one week's notice of the meeting by a small postcard sent to the community, the WSDOT and City of Renton should schedule additional informational meetings.  Meetings should be offered in specific neighborhoods," said Carrie Wong.

A flashing sign located on Benson Road has added further confusion, says Wong, who heard that some have thought the road would be closed on May 11 for a City Hall Meeting.