UPDATE: March 13, 2009

The contractor for the Bandaret Bridge replacement project will begin some preliminary work on Monday, March 16, but the lane restrictions on Southeast May Valley Road will not begin immediately.

Work begins in March to replace aging bridge on SE May Valley Road

In March, King County will begin a nine-month project to replace a deteriorating timber bridge on Southeast May Valley Road south of Issaquah. The project may create disruptions for motorists.

“We are making every effort to minimize the project’s impact on traffic,” said Linda Dougherty, director of the King County Road Services Division, “but drivers can expect delays through November while this important link in our transportation system is replaced.”

The existing Bandaret Bridge spans upper Issaquah Creek on May Valley Road between 230th Avenue Southeast and 231st Place Southeast. Construction will be completed in stages to minimize the impact to the traffic by avoiding a full closure of the bridge.

During the construction, the two lanes of two-way traffic at the bridge location will be routed to a single lane and controlled by temporary traffic signals. Traffic will be allowed through the construction area one direction at a time. These restrictions will be in place 24/7 throughout the duration of the project.

The 58-year-old timber bridge is being replaced because it is deteriorating, does not meet current seismic safety standards, and is too narrow to accommodate modern-day traffic volumes. Approximately 5,100 vehicles a day cross this bridge.

The new bridge will have two 12-foot lanes and eight-foot shoulders. Installation of the temporary signals has already begun, and construction should start around the first week of March.

For more information about the project, contact Sarah Luthens, community relations planner, at (206) 684-1151, or by email.