Kiewit Pacific Co. last week was awarded a $67 million project to build a new State Route 519 interchange near the Seattle sports stadiums.

"SR 519 is a crucial connection from I-5 and I-90 to the waterfront for cars and freight, and this investment improves our ability to send Washington goods to a global market," said Paula Hammond, secretary of transportation. "The coalition of organizations supporting this project - including the sports teams, the city and county and Port of Seattle - worked hard to combine resources and get this project built."

Gov. Chris Gregoire said the "efficient construction of the interchange project was great news," which ensures the state can "stay on schedule as we begin taking down the southern mile of the Alaskan Way Viaduct."

Kiewit earned the contract by submitting the best value proposal of the three pre-qualified bidders, said the officials of the state transportation agency. Washington State Departmentof Transportation, along with Seattle, determined the best value proposal using a formula that combines bid price and design requirements. For this project, special consideration was given to the construction schedule, coordination with nearby businesses and residents, and context-sensitive design.

Kiewit submitted the second lowest price at $66,969,343 and received the highest technical score. Kiewit was able to increase its technical score by submitting a construction plan that shaves off about a year of the original schedule determined by project engineers. While they were about $2 million above the lowest bidder, the project will be completed in 40 percent less time for only 3 percent in additional cost, said the transportation agency, which expects SR 519 construction to be complete by mid-2010.

"We know through the initial screening process that all three firms that submitted bids were well-qualified to do the work," said Urban Corridors Office Deputy Administrator Ron Paananen. "With Kiewit we'll be ready in time for the 2010 Mariners season and the start of major construction on the south end of the Alaskan Way Viaduct."

As part of this project, crews will build a westbound off-ramp from I-90 and I-5 that will connect to the existing South Atlantic Street overpass so vehicles can cross over the railroad tracks and avoid train delays. Crews will also build a bridge to separate pedestrians and bicyclists from rail traffic at South Royal Brougham Way. These improvements will improve traffic flow and pedestrian and bicyclist safety by improving connections between I-5, I-90 and the Seattle waterfront and separating people, traffic and rail. The new bridges will benefit all travel modes from freight vehicles at the Port of Seattle's terminals, to sports and event fans heading to the stadiums, to ferry riders going to Colman Dock.

"The Port depends on efficient roads and railways to move cargo to and from Washington State," said Port of Seattle Commission President John Creighton. "SR 519 is a critical project for our container terminals, and will aid the Port in completing our mission of creating jobs and economic growth for our state."

The SR 519 project is located on Atlantic Street and Royal Brougham Way between First Avenue South and I-5 near Qwest Field and Safeco Field.

Visit the project Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR519 for more information.