SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program I-5 to Medina, Bridge Replacement and HOV Project Michelle Meade Shane Cherry Chris Cziesla WSDOT Biologist SR 520 Mitigation Lead SR 520 Endangered d Species Act Lead Julie Meredith, P.E. SR 520 Program Director Paula Hammond, P.E. Secretary of Transportation WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council November 17, 2011
SR SR 520 520, I-5 I-5 to to Medina update Project Update Spring 2011 Published final EIS. Summer 2011 Received the Record of Decision. Spring 2012 - Begin construction of new floating bridge. 2014 - Open new floating bridge to drivers. 2
What is the I-5 to Medina mitigation planning process? WSDOT has worked for over four years on a comprehensive screening process of potential ti mitigation sites. The screening process has been conducted in coordination with local, state and federal regulatory agencies and stakeholders. The mitigation sites that were identified through the screening process are currently being reviewed for approval by regulatory agencies. 3
Natural Resources Technical Working Group Goals of Natural Resources TWG process: Identify and discuss project-related impacts to natural resources Identify and discuss appropriate avoidance and minimization measures Provide feedback on potential mitigation sites Provide input on mitigation planning, design and implementation. Stakeholders involved in the Natural Resources TWG: US Army Corps of Engineers US Environmental Protection Agency US Coast Guard National Marine Fisheries Service US Fish and Wildlife Service Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Department of Ecology Seattle Dept. of Planning and Development Seattle Parks and Recreation Muckleshoot Indian Tribe University of Washington 4
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Steering Group The ESA Steering Group has met on an ongoing basis since spring 2008 and includes key staff from WSDOT, FHWA, NOAA-NMFS, and USFWS. The ESA Steering Group has provided a forum for: Early ESA consultation and collaboration between WSDOT and the Services to establish the appropriate analytical framework. Collectively identifying important issues or challenges. Incremental review of issue papers on the identified topics and challenging areas. 5
Project Project impacts to to Chinook Storm water Pile driving In-water work Overwater and inwater structures 6
Project Project impacts Storm water Reduction in impervious surfaces. Enhanced water quality treatment facilities. High efficiency street sweeping. 7
Project Project impacts Pile Pile driving Test pile project goals: Evaluate the noise effects of pile driving in Lake Washington. Identify the best methods for minimizing noise that could affect people, fish and wildlife during construction. Validate noise modeling based on empirical data. 8
Project Project impacts In-water work Project area divided into 8 work zones based on salmon use Examined various activities in zones to see which activities may or may not affect salmon. 9
Project impacts Overwater and in-water structures Overwater impacts: Zone 8 work windows Shading Altered migratory behavior In-water impacts: Predator habitat Pilings / columns 10
Draft Aquatic Mitigation Plan Overview of sites 11
Draft Aquatic Mitigation Plan Bear Creek 12
Draft Aquatic Mitigation Plan East Approach 13
Draft Aquatic Mitigation Plan Taylor Creek 14
Draft Aquatic Mitigation Plan South Lake Washington Restoration Site 15
Draft Aquatic Mitigation Plan Cedar River Elliott Bridge Reach 16
Next steps December 2011: Submit final mitigation plans to agencies. Spring 2012: Begin construction of floating bridge replacement. 2012 2018: Final design and construction of mitigation sites. Schedule for final design and construction will vary by site and will be a function of WSDOT and project partner timing constraints. Mitigation is concurrent with timing of impacts. 2014: Open new floating bridge to drivers. 17
Questions? For more information on the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program Please visit our website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr520bridge or contact: E-mail: SR520bridge@wsdot.wa.govwa gov Infoline: 1-888-520-NEWS (6397) 18