Julie Happy, Division Communication Manager of Business and Developer Services, No Phone Number Available
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 10:50 a.m.
A critical missing link in the University District is one step closer to being realized. Construction plans for the University District Bridge project are nearing completion.
In addition to nearly being finished with construction plans, specifications, and a project estimate, Right of Way acquisition continues. It's expected that the City will get all the necessary acquisitions throughout 2015.
Construction on the bridge is still projected to start in 2017, but will be moved forward to 2016 if funds are available sooner. The City's initial request for funding through a TIGER grant from the Department of Transportation wasn't successful, but other funding sources are being looked at.
The University District Bridge project has been in the works for a while. The need for the bridge was identified back in 2004. Once completed, the pedestrian bicycle bridge over the BNSF corridor would establish a fundamental north-south connection from the University District campus to the Sprague area and medical district on the south. The bridge would also be a key component to support future development in the Sprague area.