Seattle 
r? wsoor sense: nerao 

Joint Letter of Understanding
SR 520 Transit Service and Transit/HOV Improvements
September 4, 2018

The Washington State Department of Transportation (W SDOT), the Seattle Department of
Transportation (SDOT), King County Metro (Metro), and Sound Transit have worked
collaboratively on developing multimodal improvements in the SR 520 corridor that support
regional transit planning and connect transit riders to key destinations. Through this process,
WSDOT, SDOT, Metro, and Sound Transit have agreed:

Closing the Montlake freeway flyer stops as early as March 2019 will allow WSDOT to
build the project more ef?ciently and help shorten the SR 520 Montlakc Phase
construction schedule. The closure improves safety for the traveling public,
construction crews, and transit riders and operators on SR 520 during the construction
period.

Many options were analyzed and vetted to reach this decision and closure was ultimately seen as
the most responsible approach. The partners recognize that the closure will negatively impact
some current transit riders and have worked to mitigate these customer impacts.

WSDOT, SDOT, Metro, and Sound Transit agree as follows:

i. WSDOT and Sound Transit will execute an agreement to fund increased service
hours or shuttle service.

Through a separate agreement between WSDOT and Sound Transit, WSDOT will
provide funding to Sound Transit for increased service hours or shuttle service to assist
riders affected by the closure. The handing will be equal to the total operating cost of this
supplemental service, up to less fare box collection. This supplemental senrice.
subject to public notice requirements, Title VI analysis, and Sound Transit Board
adoption, will start when the ?yer stops close and continue until Metro and Sound Transit
implement other service changes that alleviate the need for supplemental service. These
other service changes are expected to occur no earlier than September 2019. If it is
decided that service changes are not to be implemented in September 2019, the Parties to
this agreement will evaluate service needs at the time of that decision.

When construction in Montlake is complete, transit will use the steps at a new
multimodal hub on the Mondake lid, providing riders safer, more accessible connections
to regional and local transit facilities.

September 4, 2018
Page 2 of 2

2. Create a dedicated transit/HOV connection between the Eastside and Seattle's

South Lake Union.

To help address the regional effects of the SR 520 flyer-stop closure and reapond to
increasing market demand between Eastside urban hubs and transit hubs throughout the
county, WSDOT will expedite construction of a reversible transit/HOV connection

- between SR 520 and the 1-5 express lanes with modi?cations to the Mercer Street ramp

to improve transit access. The ramp is planned to open in 2023 and provides a new east-
west transit connection to the South Lake Union area, several years sooner than was
previously planned.

WSDOT, Metro, and Sound Transit agree that the SR 52011-5 express lane
connection will initially open as transit-only during construction of the SR 520 corridor
and will monitor traf?c ?ow to evaluate whether high-occupancy vehicles can be added
while maintaining safety for all users. Related to forthcoming transit planning, Metro will
work with the project partners to ensure that alternative transit pathways serving this new
ramp into the South Lake Union area are consistent with SDOT planning and
coordination with large employers in this area.

WSDOT, SDOT, Metro, and Sound Transit will continue to coordinate regarding regional and
local transit service and facilities on and adjacent to the SR 520 corridor. The agencies will also
collaborate on outreach to transit riders, employers, and neighborhoods.

Signed by,

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(?n/Ia 9/0099?; ?g

 

L?Begin? Miller Date Linea Laird
Secretary of Transportation Interim Director
Washington State Department of Transportation Seattle Department of Transportation

7/7/?7

Rob Gannon Date Peter Rogoff Date
General Manager Chief Executive Of?cer
King County Metro Sound Transit