MI Weekly 5/17/17 | Rail Litigation | I-90 Detours | Bike Day | Playful City Award

At the close of business on Monday, May 15, the City filed a motion for preliminary injunction in King County Superior Court, requesting that Judge Beth Andrus enjoin the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) from closing the I-90 center roadway and Sound Transit from commencing light rail construction there.

This action is the next step in the City's February 2017 breach of contract lawsuit against WSDOT and Sound Transit regarding commitments made under a 1976 Agreement, and subsequent 2004 Amendment, to mitigate any impacts to the mobility of Mercer Island residents due to rail construction and operations.

The City's motion asks the Court to ensure the agencies meaningfully consult with the City in order to reasonably and in good faith seek concurrence on loss of mobility and mitigation measures as required by the agreements; the City requests that this process be overseen by a Court-appointed Special Master.

In order to preserve the time necessary for adequate and effective Court-supervised consultation, the motion requests the Court to delay the June 3 closure of the center roadway, and delay the transition of newly-painted "R8A" vehicle lanes across the I-90 floating bridge to HOV-only operation.

To learn more about recent negotiations and litigation history, visit www.mercergov.org/Rail-FAQ

Westbound I-90 Closure This Weekend

Click for detailed closure information

This weekend (May 20 and 21), the I-90 detours return again with a Westbound closure, allowing the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to undertake final preparations prior to light rail construction. Since the primary work involves re-striping roadways, this closure is weather-dependent.

Starting at 11:00pm on Friday, May 19, the WSDOT will funnel westbound traffic from Bellevue to the center express lanes for construction purposes. The detour will end as usual by 5:00am Monday.

All westbound drivers wishing to exit onto Mercer Island must use East Mercer Way.

NOTE: Unlike recent Westbound closures, drivers will NOT initially have the option to continue through the East Mercer interchange back onto the right lane of I-90, in order to exit at Island Crest Way, until Day 2 of the closure. The City has arranged with WSDOT to expedite this portion of the workflow as quickly as possible.

Drivers wishing to reach Seattle from MI must enter the express lanes at Island Crest Way or 77th Avenue SE. View closure map here.

Currently, this is the final full weekend directional closure of I-90 planned to allow WSDOT to build all-day bus and carpool lanes next to the regular lanes. This work will allow the center I-90 roadway to be dedicated to Sound Transit light rail construction, starting June 3, 2017.

Mercer Island Goes Green

Bike Everywhere Day: Friday, May 19

Click for more information and maps

Finally, we're emerging from the deluge of rain and even have sunny weather in the forecast just in time for Bike Everywhere Day (aka "Bike-to-Work Day").

On Friday, May 19, many thousands of cyclists across Puget Sound will participate in the all-day event. It's a great opportunity for first time riders: even if your bike isn't in tip-top shape, just make sure your brakes are working, pump up your tires, and blow the dust off your helmet.

Mercer Island cyclists will see countless fellow commuters, and there will be a support booth (click for map) at each side the Island on the I-90 Trail.

Playful City Designation 10 Years in a Row


	Click for more information on Playful Cities

Across the country, 258 cities and towns, including Mercer Island, earned recognition today from national non-profit KaBOOM! as 2017 Playful City USA communities for their efforts to increase play opportunities for children.

This is the tenth year the City's Parks and Recreation Department has received this award, which recognizes ongoing dedication to play and healthy living opportunities. Mercer Island offers diverse options such as: the award-winning Adventure Playground; Movies in the Park; Campouts; and Letterboxing.

Recreation Superintendent Diane Mortenson said, "We couldn't be more thrilled with earning this award for the tenth year in a row. It truly underscores the quality of our programs and the dedication of our staff who deliver them."

Additional information is available by contacting Superintendent Mortenson by Email or at (206) 275-7861.

Mental Health Awareness Campaign Outreach

The winning poster designs (left: Murphy; right: Lau) - click to learn more about MI Youth and Family Services

The City of Mercer Island's Department of Youth and Family Services (YFS) and art students at Mercer Island High School have partnered to create the "Be Kind to Your Mind" media campaign to support Mental Health Awareness Month (throughout May).

Led by Tambi Cork, the Project Coordinator for the Healthy Youth Initiative (HYI), art students competed to create the poster design; winning entries came from Ms. Totten's A.P. Photography class, submitted by students Rory Murphy ('17) and Jasmine Lau ('17) - see images.

"Youth across the state, just as on Mercer Island, report rates of depression and anxiety that are unacceptably high (Grade 10 Mercer Island = 25%; State = 34%, according to the 2016 WA Healthy Youth Survey), but rates can drop if more youth understand that mental health care is available and that it works," says Cork.

The awareness campaign will be featured in all six Mercer Island public schools and throughout the community during the month of May. The HYI is a collaborative project that brings together youth, professionals, and parents to foster youth wellness through community initiatives.

For questions and comments on the MI Weekly, contact
Sustainability & Communications Manager Ross Freeman at

ross.freeman@mercergov.org or 206.275.7662.