State plans for Edmonds overpass

Published 7:51 pm Tuesday, March 16, 2010

EDMONDS — A lot in view of the Edmonds waterfront, where busy commuters are within arm’s reach, is up for grabs.

Just build a pedestrian overpass over the railroad tracks and the 0.59-acre parking lot is yours, says the Washington State Department of Transportation, which owns the land.

The proposed public-private partnership would allow the state to gain a pedestrian overpass — diverting foot traffic above the railroad tracks to the ferry terminal and commuter rail station — without using taxpayer money.

WSDOT has been talking with Edmonds city staff, residents and other transportation agencies to ensure that all understand the effort’s direction.

At a meeting with the Edmonds City Council on March 9, WSDOT project manager Fred Tharp said the lot proposed for the swap is valued at between $1.5 million and $3 million.

Councilman D.J. Wilson suggested that the city get in the game by exploring city-owned surplus property that it could throw into the mix — creating a three-way trade that would net it the state-owned lot, which it could then turn into, say, a public park.

The parking lot is located to the south of the former Skippers Seafood &Chowder House, 102 Main. St., between James and Main streets and is adjacent to where Sound Transit plans to open a new bus shelter serving train and ferry traffic in early 2011. That’s also when the agency anticipates completing a $12.9 million renovation of Edmonds Station a half-block south at 210 Railroad Ave.

The overpass would have to meet Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, among other requirements.

The project could open for proposals from contractors by mid-January.