Michael Baker
Michael Baker will provide maintenance of traffic for the entire 11-mile project, as well as bridge widening and the roadway and drainage design. Credit: Bence Balla-Schottner on Unsplash.

Engineering and consultancy firm Michael Baker International has joined the team working on the widening and express toll lane project between Renton and Bellevue, Washington, the US.

The project will see the construction of a new lane in each direction of I-405.

Along with the existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane, the new lane will be operated as a dual-lane express toll lane system.

For this project, Michael Baker will be responsible for providing the maintenance of traffic for the entire 11-mile project, as well as bridge widening and the roadway and drainage design for a three-mile section.

It will serve as a sub-consultant to Wood in the Flatiron West, a Lane Construction Corporation joint venture.

Michael Baker International Transportation national practice executive Malcolm Dougherty said: “Our team regularly combines passion with technical and design-build know-how to create transportation systems that provide access and connection for people and goods, ultimately spurring economic growth and improving quality of life for commuters.

“For the I-405 project, our expert knowledge of maintenance of traffic will ensure the safety of drivers and workers alike, while keeping traffic moving as work progresses.

“The final product will give drivers a choice to use the express toll lanes when they need it, allowing travellers to have a safer, more reliable trip and helping WSDOT achieve their long-standing vision for I-405.”

Construction at the site is expected to begin this year and the project is scheduled for completion in 2024.

Upon completion, the $705m project is expected to minimise traffic congestion and improve safety along one of the most congested sections of the Washington highway.

In February 2017, Michael Baker International secured a contract from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to conduct a study on the I-605/SR-91 interchange, and identify improvements and widen the congested three-mile road stretch of westbound SR-91 in Los Angeles, California.