Seven design-build teams including Kiewit and Skanska are pursuing a Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) project to build an interstate highway interchange and bus station with a value officials have estimated between $200 million and $250 million.

State officials say they will narrow the field to a short list by May 27.

The plans call for the replacement of the existing two-level cloverleaf interchange at I-405 and Northeast 85th Street in Kirkland, Wash., which sits across Lake Washington from northern Seattle. In its place, WSDOT wants a three-level interchange that enhances multimodal access, including a new bus station with direct access ramps, bike and pedestrian routes and a passenger pickup and drop-off location.

Officials anticipate eight new bridges will be needed, as well as the addition of a roundabout, the replacement of a culvert with a fish-passable correction, construction of stormwater treatment facilities and other road and environmental improvements. 

WSDOT estimates the project will involve about 350,000 cu yd of excavation and 80,000 tons of hot mix asphalt pavement. 

Kirland Interchange concept

The design concept for the Kirkland project released by WSDOT.

Teams that submitted qualifications for the project include:

  • Aecon Pacific Northwest Inc.-American Bridge Company joint venture, with T. Y. Lin International as lead engineering firm, PBS Engineering and Environmental Inc. handling environmental compliance and O’Neill Service Group participating as quality firm.
  • Guy F. Atkinson Construction of Renton, Wash., enlisted Dewberry Engineers Inc. and Clark Construction Group LLC, plus O’Neill Service Group for environmental compliance.
  • Graham Contracting Ltd. proposed working with engineers Parsons Transportation Group, quality assurance firm AAR Testing Laboratory Inc. and PBS Engineering and Environmental Inc.
  • Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. submitted with KPFF Consulting Engineers, Hayre McElroy & Associate for quality assurance and O’Neill Service Group for environmental compliance.
  • Lane Construction Corp.-Max J. Kuney Company joint venture, joined with engineers Davis Evans and Associates Inc., quality assurance firm Kleinfelder Inc. and environmental compliance from GeoEngineers Inc.
  • Skanska USA Civil West submitted with AECOM as lead engineering and design firm, and O’Neill Service Group for both quality assurance and environmental compliance. 
  • Walsh Construction Company II LLC brought on COWI Inc. as engineer and designer and O’Neill Service Group for quality assurance. 

WSDOT anticipates notifying submitters if they’ve made the short list on May 27 and announce the winning team on Nov. 16, the RFQ states. Officials estimate construction will start in early 2023 and complete in 2026.