The Washington Department of Transportation has selected the contractor and says construction is set to begin in early 2019 on its Montlake Project, the next phase in completing the replacement of SR 520.

WSDOT announced Wednesday that Graham Contracting Ltd. submitted the top proposal, a $455.3 million contract for construction of an improved Montlake Boulevard interchange, a landscaped lid over SR 520, a bicycle and pedestrian “land bridge” east of the lid, and a three-lane West Approach Bridge South over Union Bay for eastbound traffic.

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The winning bid was above WSDOT’s cost range of $375 million to $425 million, but was the lowest of three bids. As part of the deal, Graham will commit to completing the project earlier than the projected schedule and will reduce “the project’s environmental and community impacts,” according to the WSDOT announcement.

“We want to thank all three teams that submitted innovative proposals. We know that costs have continued to escalate in this booming Puget Sound economy. Graham’s proposal combines a high technical score with the lowest cost and we look forward to working with them,” SR 520 program deputy administrator Omar Jepperson said in the announcement.

The project will include “communications tools” for project neighbors and corridor travelers “to help them stay informed, know what to expect, and receive answers to questions” and WSDOT is also promising a public open house on the work before construction begins.

With an early 2019 start, the work could wrap up as early as 2023.

You can learn more about the Montlake Project here.