LYNNWOOD— The City of Lynnwood launched the official bidding process to construct the Poplar Way Extension Bridge— a six-lane multimodal crossing over Interstate 5 between the intersections of 196th Street SW (State Route 524)/Poplar Way and 33rd Avenue W/Alderwood Mall Boulevard. Proposals are due by 2 p.m. on December 9, 2025.Once completed, it is expected to handle approximately 30,000 vehicles per day, reducing congestion on the Alderwood Mall Parkway bridge by about 37%.
The design incorporates pedestrian-friendly features, including a protected sidewalk on the west side and a protected shared-use path on the east side. Additional improvements include modifications to surrounding intersections, widening and restriping of roadways, and the construction of a new tunnel to allow the Interurban Trail to pass safely beneath the bridge.
Construction is estimated to cost between $38 million and $43 million, with the selected contractor required to complete the work within 470 working days from the notice to proceed.
The project scope includes clearing and grubbing the site, building the bridge and trail overcrossing structures, installing retaining walls, concrete traffic barriers, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and traffic control and lighting systems. Utility upgrades are also part of the project, such as replacing the water system, adding catch basins, stormwater biofiltration units, and membrane flow control devices. Final touches will involve permanent signing, pavement marking, landscaping, irrigation, erosion and water pollution control, and overall traffic management.
The Poplar Way Extension Bridge, part of the broader Connecting Lynnwood Project, has roots dating back more than ten years.
In August 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $25 million grant through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant Program. This funding, combined with $10 million from the state and up to $7 million in city funds, brings the total projected cost to around $50 million. Additional grants include $3.7 million for design and $3.1 million for right-of-way acquisition, alongside $45 million in secured federal and state support for construction.
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), who secured federal funding for the Poplar Way Bridge project, toured the future site on August 16, 2022 with Mayor Christine Frizzell and her staff.
“My philosophy has been that I’m not in the business of telling cities what their priorities ought to be,” Rep Larsen told the Lynnwood Times. “We’re trying to bring tools and resources to help the cities achieve their goals for their citizens and constituents.”
The project was initially slated to break ground in 2024 and take about a year and a half to build. With design and right-of-way acquisition largely complete, the current call for bids now marks a significant development towards the completion of the project within a few years.
Author: Mario Lotmore
