Feds approve state's plan to rebuild 520 with 6 lanes

The new 520 bridge across Lake Washington got a big green light yesterday, as federal officials approved the state’s plan to put in a six-lane replacement.

The Federal Highway Administration signed a ‘record of decision’ – allowing the state Department of Transportation to make final designs and obtain construction permits for the $4.6 billion dollar project.

WSDOT plans to choose a contractor this summer. The old bridge is vulnerable to earthquake damage.

But many neighbors still oppose the project, with one telling The Seattle Times there probably will be a lawsuit against it – though they haven’t yet made that decision.  They say it’s too big and “out of scale with Seattle.”