The major improvements to King County’s Houghton Transfer Station in Kirkland are nearing completion, and access to the facility by all customers will be fully restored on Monday, Jan. 24.

The station, which was built more than four decades ago, has been closed to the public on weekdays since early August, when King County began a roof improvement and mitigation project.

Until Jan. 24, only customers who are account holders with the King County Solid Waste Division have access to the transfer station during weekdays. The transfer station is open to all users on weekends, however service delays should be expected, and customers are advised to use other King County solid waste transfer stations to avoid delays. Recycling services are closed on weekdays, but open on weekends.

The work included:

· Strengthening and raising the roof. The 40-plus-year-old roof was raised to provide the vertical clearance needed for garbage trucks in use today, and some interior columns were removed to improve maneuverability within the facility.

· Constructing a sound barrier wall on the west side of the station. The wall reduces noise levels in areas surrounding the transfer station.

· Constructing a new pathway on the north side of Northeast 60th Street between 116th Avenue Northeast and 120th Avenue Northeast. The new pathway improves pedestrian safety in the area and features a curb and crosswalk markings across the entrances to the transfer station.

The entire project will wrap up in March with the installation of a screening wall on the south side of the transfer building that depicts an image of a natural forest similar to the forest at Bridle Trails State Park.

More information on the King County solid waste transfer stations is available at http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/facilities/transfer.asp.