LYNNWOOD — The city of Lynnwood has received $1 million from the federal government to study whether another access point to or from I-5 will be needed as part of the expected redevelopment of its central business district.
The $400,000 study would determine whether another ramp or ramps are warranted, and, if so, where they should be built, officials said.
No ballpark figure for a new interchange has been determined. A public open house will likely be scheduled in a few months.
Mayor Mike McKinnon is expected to sign a roughly $90,000 contract with Perteet Inc., of Everett for phase one of the study. The City Council approved the move on Monday, July 25.
The City Center area, as it is called, was recently rezoned to encourage mid-rise residential and office buildings between 52nd and 36th avenues west and I-5 and 194th Street SW. The city also will encourage, and in some cases require, open space, landscaping and walkways.
The city intends to work with the state, Snohomish County and transit agencies on the study.
The first concern is to avoid making conditions worse on I-5, said Rick Mitchell, Snohomish County engineering manager for the state Department of Transportation.
Nearby factors will play a big part in whether another ramp is built, officials said.
The state has approved $44 million for a new ramp system, yet to be designed, to connect southbound Highway 525 to southbound I-5, Mitchell said.
Another $18 million is earmarked for a ramp from southbound I-5 to northbound Highway 525.
That part of southbound I-5 is a tricky spot, with drivers merging onto the freeway from Highway 525 and I-405, and others trying to get across to exit on 196th Street SW., Mitchell said.
“With all that movement, it’s pretty complicated,” he said.
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