The City of Kirkland will be managing a few dozen projects in 2017, ranging from paving arterials and upgrading utilities to designing the Totem Lake Connector bridge and implementing safety measures along Juanita Drive. This digest provides the basics on 21 of those projects.

Lakefront bicycle and pedestrian project (Lakeview, Moss Bay, Market, Juanita)

The project aimed at improving safety for walking and bicycling along Kirkland’s north-to-south corridor of Lake Washington Boulevard, Lake Street, Market Street and 98th Avenue Northeast will likely begin by summer 2017. Senior Project Engineer Aparna Khanal expects Kirkland’s contractor to complete the project by December. The project will install rapid flashing beacons on Market Street at Waverly Way and Central Way. It will also improve lighting at several crosswalks, sidewalk access at 32 intersections, and create colored bike lanes along Lake Washington Boulevard, Lake Street, Market Street and 98th Avenue Northeast. Search “Lakefront Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements” on www.kirklandwa.gov or contact Senior Project Engineer Aparna Khanal akhanal@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3827.

Street paving (Kingsgate, South Rose Hill, Bridle Trails, Market, Norkirk)

Five sections of four arterials throughout Kirkland will receive new surfaces in 2017. The City is planning to pave sections of Kingsgate’s 124th Avenue Northeast, Bridle Trails’ 116th Avenue Northeast, Juanita’s Forbes Creek Drive and South Rose Hill’s Northeast 80th Street, as well as the bridge crossing Interstate 405 at Northeast 72nd Place. The City will also prepare Norkirk’s Third Street this year for the new surface it will receive in 2018 by improving sidewalk access to 30 wheelchair ramps and by upgrading a water main in advance of 2018’s street paving schedule. For more information, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/streetpreservation or contact Streets Engineer George Minassian at (425) 587-3829, gminassian@kirklandwa.gov.

6th Street traffic signals (Everest)

A project aimed at managing Sixth Street’s traffic congestion with a pair of four-way traffic signals begins spring 2017. Crews will build traffic signals at Sixth Street’s intersections with Kirkland Way and Ninth Avenue. At Sixth Street and Kirkland Way, the City will reconfigure the intersection to better accommodate buses’ turning-radii and reconstruct it with concrete. Concrete is more durable than asphalt pavement and thus, more capable of withstanding the heavier-than-normal traffic loads imposed on the intersection’s surface by buses. Construction on the Kirkland Way intersection should last four to six months and will require a two-week closure of the intersection. Search “Google vicinity projects” on www.kirklandwa.gov or contact Senior Project Engineer Aparna Khanal at akhanal@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3827.

Juanita Drive First Wins (Finn Hill)

Construction will likely begin spring 2017 on a series of improvements that will make walking and bicycling along Juanita Drive safer and more efficient. The Juanita Drive First Wins project includes three sets of Rapid Flashing Beacons at three crosswalks, an uphill bike and pedestrian lane and sidewalk widening south of Juanita Drive’s intersection with 98th Avenue Northeast. It includes several other safety improvements, as well, such as an eastbound to northbound refuge pocket from Northeast 138th Place onto Juanita Drive. These improvements are the quickest and most cost-effective ways to improve safety—especially for walking and bicycle riding—along Juanita Drive. The full plan for Juanita Drive will ultimately include more than 30 projects. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/juanitadrive or contact Senior Project Engineer Aparna Khanal at akhanal@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3827.

Holmes Point Drive stormwater (Finn Hill)

The first of a two-phase fix for a Holmes Point Drive drainage problem should be in place in spring 2017. Kirkland’s engineering consultants are currently permitting through local and state agencies a stormwater system for the area near 11645 Holmes Point Drive. The system will feature a bigger stormwater pipe and a new route for the pipes. The existing pipe is too small to convey all the water that currently drains toward it. As a result, water overwhelms the system. Contact Project Engineer Marius Eugenio Jr at meugenio@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3872.

Fire Station 25 (Finn Hill)

Design continues on the renovation of Finn Hill’s Fire Station 25, located on Juanita Drive. The design process—and ensuing construction—will bring the 1970s-era fire station into compliance with a variety of building codes and fire station codes. The result of this is three-fold: First, the fire station will be able to withstand a catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake, and thus be able to serve the community during a catastrophe. Its more efficient design will enable firefighters to respond to emergencies faster and prevent contaminants from entering the firefighters’ living areas. Construction will likely begin fall 2017 and end in the summer of 2018. Contact Anneke Davis at adavis@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3828.

CKC surface water drainage repairs (Highlands)

Contracted crews begin work in August on repairs to a 24-inch culvert that is eroding a small section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor’s foundation north of Crestwoods Park. Crews will install a flow-structure to dissipate the impact of the water as it plunges the eight feet from the concrete culvert to the Cross Kirkland Corridor’s foundation. They will also build a rockery in the nearby ditch’s bed and plant the surrounding area with native vegetation. Some of the work will require trail-closures along the Cross Kirkland Corridor. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/crosskirklandcorridor. or contact Project Engineer Scott Gonsar, (425) 587-3830, sgonsar@kirklandwa.gov.

Cotton Hill Park storm drainage (Highlands)

Erosion control begins in July for a hillside near Cotton Hill Park that has been hammered by the outflow of water as it exits a short stormwater pipe.

The project will extend the existing pipe by 300 linear feet and will install a structure that will dissipate the force of the water as it plunges into the earth. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/crosskirklandcorridor or contact Project Engineer Scott Gonsar, (425) 587-3830, sgonsar@kirklandwa.gov.

Edith Moulton Park (Juanita)

A renovation project that will add a boardwalk, a pavilion, a restroom, a play structure and a fenced dog area to Juanita’s Edith Moulton Park is currently in the bidding process. The renovation’s design is strongly influenced by the park’s benefactor and namesake, Edith Moulton, who, in 1967 donated her 20-acre property to King County so children would always have a place to play in nature. Search “Edith Moulton Park” on www.kirklandwa.gov or contact Project Coordinator Brian Baker at (425) 587-3874, bbaker@kirklandwa.gov.

100th Avenue Northeast (Juanita)

The team of engineers and landscape architects currently re-designing 100th Avenue Northeast will unveil its detailed concept at an open house this spring. That concept will include separated sidewalks and elevated bike lanes along both sides of most of the corridor. The “30-percent design” will also articulate the proposed configurations of the corridor’s problematic intersections, including the intersections at Simonds Road, Juanita-Woodinville Way, Northeast 137th Street and Northeast 132nd Street. Project Engineer Laura Drake said the design process will continue through 2017. For more information, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/100thavedesign or contact Project Engineer Laura Drake at ldrake@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3833.

52nd Street sidewalk and bike lane (Lakeview)

Construction will likely begin spring 2017 on the Northeast 52nd Street bicycle and pedestrian connection to 108th Avenue Northeast, via the Cross Kirkland Corridor. The project features a continuous sidewalk on the road’s north side, as well as a 12-foot, westbound shared-lane for both cycling and driving. On the road’s south side, the project will add an uphill bike lane for people who are riding their bikes east. Project engineers expect construction to continue throughout 2017. Search “52nd Street Sidewalk” on www.kirklandwa.gov or contact Project Engineer Lane Kawaoka, lkawaoka@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3840.

City hall parking lot (Norkirk)

The contractor, now building an 84-stall parking lot just south of city hall on Third Avenue, is on pace to complete the project by the beginning of summer. Thomco Construction will continue preparing the site throughout the next several weeks by removing an abandoned sewer line, installing storm drains, and grading the surface. Search “City Hall Parking Lot” on www.kirklandwa.gov or call Project Coordinator Brian Baker at (425) 587-3874, bbaker@kirklandwa.gov.

Water and sewer upgrades on 3rd Avenue South and 2nd Street South (Moss Bay)

By spring 2017, the City of Kirkland will begin replacing the existing six-inch concrete sewer line that runs along Second Street South and Third Avenue South with 780 linear feet of eight-inch PVC sewer pipe. The City will also replace the aging six-inch water main that runs along Second Street South with a 12-inch water main. Construction will require one-block street-closures on Third Avenue South to all traffic, except residential, postal and emergency response. Project Engineer Aparna Khanal expects to complete construction by summer 2017. Search “water and sewer mains along Second Street South and Third Avenue South” on www.kirklandwa.gov or contact Senior Project Engineer Aparna Khanal, akhanal@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3827.

Marina boat launch (Moss Bay)

Kirkland’s job order contractor is currently replacing Marina Park’s boat launch with a similar, but updated version of the existing launch. Saybr Construction and its subcontractor, Blackwater Marine, expect to complete the project in early April and to complete the in-water work by March 15. To achieve this, crews are working eight consecutive hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The City of Kirkland is also permitting their crews to work between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays, as well. Contact Project Coordinator Brian Baker at (425) 587-3874 or bbaker@kirklandwa.gov

5th/6th Street sewer (Norkirk)

Design began this winter on sewer line upgrades in Norkirk’s Fifth and Sixth streets. Project Engineer Patrick Herbig expects construction to begin fall 2017. On Sixth Street, between 10th and 11th Avenue, the City is replacing 325 linear feet of six-inch, concrete pipe with eight-inch PVC sewer line to accommodate the projected flows. On Fifth Street, between Central Way and Ninth Avenue, Kirkland is replacing more than 1,400 feet of deteriorating eight-inch concrete sewer line with eight-inch PVC pipe. Contact Project Engineer Patrick Herbig at pherbig@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3841.

Norkirk sidewalk (Norkirk)

A project to repair and replace 1,300 linear-feet of damaged sidewalk along a one-block section of Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street begins in March and will be complete by summer. Kirkland’s Sidewalk Maintenance Program will restore a uniform sidewalk along both sides of the neighborhood streets. To restore the sidewalk and ensure its longevity, Kirkland’s prospective contractor must first remove 29 trees that are in the City’s right-of-way. Those trees were originally planted in compacted soil and spaced too tightly, which caused their roots to grow around themselves, rather than grow out and down. Kirkland will replace some of those trees during sidewalk construction. This sparse tree layout will give the trees’ roots ample room to grow into loose soil, rather than upward, toward sidewalk panels. To learn more, search “Sidewalk Preservation” on www.kirklandwa.gov or call Project Engineer Marius Eugenio Jr at meugenio@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3872.

Water main upgrades (Norkirk, Moss Bay)

The City of Kirkland is planning in April 2017 to upgrade the water main along sections of Third Street, Fourth Street, and Kirkland Way. The work along Third Street will be most extensive, extending from Central Way to 10th Avenue. On Fourth Street, crews will replace the water main in a two-block section, starting at 18th Avenue and heading north. And on Kirkland Way, crews will replace the water main one block west of Sixth Street. Contact Project Engineer Marius Eugenio Jr at meugenio@kirklandwa.gov or (425) 587-3872.

Sewer upgrade along 1st Street (Norkirk)

The sewer main beneath Norkirk’s First Street will receive an upgrade in spring 2017. The City of Kirkland will upgrade 4,200 feet of the existing sewer main from Central Way in downtown Kirkland to 16th Avenue, near Crestwoods Park and the Kirkland Middle School. The project will replace 18 manholes and side-sewers.

North Rose Hill sidewalk (North Rose Hill)

Concerns over stormwater have put a project to add nearly 1,800 linear feet of sidewalk in North Rose Hill on hold.

City engineers must first determine how and where to discharge the stormwater that, in the sidewalk’s absence, would have seeped into the ground. When complete, the School Walk Route Enhancements project will provide a continuous sidewalk along 126th Avenue Northeast, from Northeast 85th Street to Northeast 95th Street and along Northeast 90th Street, from 124th Avenue Northeast to 126th Avenue Northeast. To build the sidewalk, Kirkland’s prospective contractor must first replace several trees in the City’s right-of-way. For more information, search “North Rose Hill Sidewalk” on www.kirklandwa.gov or contact Project Engineer Marius Eugenio Jr at meugenio@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3872.

Totem Lake connector (bicycle & pedestrian bridge, Totem Lake)

Residents and commuters continue to offer their initial thoughts on a bicycle and pedestrian bridge that will connect the two ends of the Cross Kirkland Corridor currently severed by Northeast 124th Street and Totem Lake Boulevard. The Totem Lake Connector’s design team is using that feedback to shape some of the concepts it will present on March 16 to the public in an open house. Visitors are welcome to drop in between 5:30 and 8 p.m. Senior Project Engineer Aaron McDonald expects to finish the design process by March 2018. Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakeconnector or contact Senior Project Engineer Aaron McDonald, at amcdonald@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3837.

Intelligent transportation systems, Phase II (Totem Lake, Juanita)

Totem Electric continues its Intelligent Transportation Systems upgrade of 25 traffic signals along Northeast 124th Street and Northeast 132nd Street. The traffic signals will be out of service at various times during the process, while Totem Electric workers replace the traffic signal technology that control the signals.

Kirkland Project Engineer Laura Drake expects Totem Electric to complete the upgrade by spring. When complete, these 25 traffic signals will function as an inter-connected system, which Kirkland’s transportation engineers can adjust remotely in real-time from the City Hall-based Traffic Management Center.

And since the system uses closed-circuit cameras to detect traffic, the new system will allow commuters to monitor current traffic conditions in real-time, as well. The City of Kirkland upgraded traffic signals in 2015 at intersections along Lake Washington Boulevard, Lake Street, Market Street, 98th Avenue Northeast, and Northeast 85th Street. Search “ITS” on www.kirklandwa.gov or contact Project Engineer Laura Drake at ldrake@kirklandwa.gov, (425) 587-3833.