Lynnwood’s delayed bus lanes will get new attention

Q: I am sure you have been asked by many people and probably are tired of repeating your answer, but, when will the construction of the bus lane on Highway 99 through north Lynnwood come to a completion? For a while there was a flurry of work, but now there is hardly anyone working there. It seems as though most of the work has been completed except for resurfacing. Who can we write to push this project along?

Francis Okano, Lynnwood

A: There have been some glitches in the job. William Vlcek, public works director for Lynnwood, said the city awarded the Highway 99 widening contract in September 2000. The work was to be completed by the end of July 2001.

"The road surface was scheduled for paving last August after the completion of the widening work," Vlcek said. "We actually advertised the overlay contract late last summer based on a revised schedule from the contractor in anticipation of the widening work being done. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the bid since the curb and gutter work was not complete."

State rules governing paving on federally funded projects do not allow paving after Oct. 15 and before spring rain stops.

"We are scheduled to bid the overlay contract by March and will be ready to start the work once the weather dries up," he said. "The overlay work should be complete by mid-year."

To minimize the delays for traffic, work will be done at night. The next phase of work will start at 168th Street SW and stop at 148th Street SW, Vlcek said.

"Work on this project is expected to start this spring and is expected to take one year. This will complete the sidewalks and bus lanes from the King County line to 148th Street SW."

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