The recently adopted state capital budget includes $2.5 million for a key bicycle and pedestrian connection between the Cross Kirkland Corridor, the Eastside Rail Corridor and the Redmond Central Connector.
Named the Willows Road Regional Trail Connection, this project is located in the 45th Legislative District and will connect Kirkland to King County’s regional trail network increasing resident’s non-motorized access to transit and jobs.
“This is a great milestone for active transportation in our region,” Councilmember Dave Asher, Chair of the City Council’s Legislative Work Group, said in a press release. “The connectivity from northeast Kirkland to Redmond and Woodinville brings the overall vision of the Eastside Rail Corridor one step closer to reality.”
The Willows Road Regional Trail Connection is a one-third mile pedestrian and bicycle trail. It will follow the east side of Willows Road between NE 124th Street and 139th Avenue NE.
From the Cross Kirkland Corridor, east of Slater Avenue NE, the Eastside Rail Corridor intersects Willows Road at 139th Avenue NE, and the Sammamish River trail intersects at NE 124th Street. A safe, separated, shared-use trail, the Willows Road Regional Trail Connection will connect the Totem Lake and Redmond urban centers, Woodinville’s Wine Country, the Willows Road high tech corridor as well as aerospace and manufacturing companies in Totem Lake.
“This is a win for Kirkland and a win for our neighbors,” Asher said in a press release. “The hard work of our full legislative delegation made this possible.”
In 2017, Kirkland’s entire state delegation of legislators supported this project’s funding in the capital budget.
“Legislators from the 45th legislative district have long supported state assistance with projects in Kirkland,” Senator Manka Dhingra, the newly elected Senator representing legislative district 45, said in a press release. “I am proud to have been able to continue this tradition with my vote to pass the Capital Budget and support this project that will benefit the region.”
The capital budget bill was passed on Jan. 19, with the full support of Kirkland’s delegation. Senators Patty Kuderer (LD 48) and Guy Palumbo (LD 1) joined Manka Dhingra (LD 45) in voting for the Capital Budget, as did Representatives Roger Goodman and Larry Springer from legislative district 45, Joan McBride and Vandana Slatter from legislative district 48 and Shelley Kloba and Derek Stanford from legislative district 1.
For more information on the Eastside Rail Corridor, visit King County’s website. For more information on Kirkland’s portion, the Cross Kirkland Corridor, visit the city’s website.
