WSDOT’s contractor, Mowat Construction, will turn on a new traffic signal at 8 a.m. Dec. 11 at the intersection of State Route 522 and Woodinville Drive. The new light is the latest safety improvement in the $50 million SR 522 University of Washington, Bothell/Cascadia Community College campus access project

“SR 522 travelers should be ready to slow down and stop as they approach Woodinville Drive,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Janice Fahning.

Crews have already completed rebuilding the intersection at SR 522 and Woodinville Drive and opened three legs of the intersection at the end of October. They are also building a new entrance to the south side of the campus, as well as a new roadway for SR 522 (Bothell Way Northeast) from the Interstate 405 interchange to Kaysner Way in Bothell.

Starting Dec. 11, the new signal will direct traffic on SR 522 through the intersection and help drivers safely enter and exit the highway.

Sensors embedded in the roadway will trigger a green arrow for westbound SR 522 drivers waiting in a left turn lane to reach Woodinville Drive. Motorists leaving Woodinville Drive to turn left onto westbound SR 522 will also wait in a turn lane for a green arrow.

In fall 2009, crews will reprogram the signal and open the north leg that will carry traffic to the new south entrance of the Bothell campus.