The power of partnerships was on full display Monday as the City of Lynnwood hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the 204th Street SW Extension and Improvement Project.
The project, which includes Lynnwood’s first roundabout and a new east-west connection from Highway 99 to Edmonds Community College, would not have been possible without the partnerships between the City, Edmonds Community College, the Edmonds School District and State and Federal agencies.
Lynnwood Public Works Director Bill Franz noted that the project took about a decade to complete from the initial discussions to the completion.
“It’s very important,” Franz said of the project. “It is one of the major missing east west links. It obviously connects important parts of our community.”
The project cost $6.1 million and required a number of partners to finish. The City funded more than $3 million and about $1.1 million was provided through federal transportation grants and Department of Housing and Urban Development grants. The state Transportation Improvement Program provided $1.5 million and the state Department of Commerce contributed $250,000. Edmonds Community College contributed $140,000 and the Edmonds School District provided almost $50,000.
“It’s another great example of the power of partnerships so we can accomplish great things in our community,” Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith said. “I think it’s going to be a lot better access to all the delightful things in this area.”
32nd District State Senator Maralyn Chase was singled out for her support of the project by a number of speakers.
The project includes safe bicycle routes and walkways to the college. The City also is working with Community Transit on siting a southbound Swift station. By opening up 204th St. SW., the City also was able to simplify the 208th St. SW. intersection, long regarded as one of the City’s worst intersections due to its odd layout.
Edmonds Community College President Jean Hernandez appreciated that the project is going to be completed ahead of time. The project was scheduled to be finished in September but the contractor accelerated the timeline and it is close to being done.
“For our students, this is huge, to be completed before classes start,” Hernandez said. “It’s important to make things as easy and safe for students. This is access to Edmonds Community College and to educational opportunities.”
By David Pan
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