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1.5. PLANNING
Planning of the replacement bridge started in 1997 with a cross-lake study conducted by
the state Department of Transportation. The study followed several others in the late 20th
century to find solutions to traffic on the SR 520 floating bridge, with most proposals
rejected after heavy opposition from communities on both ends of the bridge.
The final environmental impact statement for the project was issued in 2011, allowing for
construction of the pontoons to begin the following year.
1.6. FUNDING
Funding was allocated to major phases of the project at different times. The western
portions of the project, in the City of Seattle, were the last to be funded. The $4.5 billion in
funding comes largely from the state gas tax earmarked for highways, tolling, and Federal
highway funds.
In 2014, the budget for the project was increased by $250 million to cover cost overruns.
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