City work crews have finished installing nearly one-half mile of sidewalk and bicycle lanes along 116th Avenue N.E. between N.E. 60th Street and N.E. 67th Street in the Bridle Trails neighborhood.

The new sidewalk on the east side and bicycle lanes on both sides of 116th Avenue N.E. are meant to encourage pedestrian traffic and bicycle commuters along one of Kirkland’s most traveled arterials.

New asphalt along the corridor is designed to quiet roadway noise, and a new crosswalk directs walkers from the Interstate-405 pedestrian bridge toward the Houghton Park & Ride.

Landscaping along the sidewalks is expected to be completed in the fall.

“This project enhances the biking network within the city, providing routes for bicycle commuters and enthusiasts,” Public Works Director Daryl Grigsby said.

City code requires property owners adjacent to the green strip that runs the length of the sidewalk to maintain the plantings. The city is working with property owners along the project corridor to select appropriate landscaping materials.

The improvements to 116th Avenue N.E. are part of a Non-Motorized Transportation Project funded by the 2004-2009 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Federal grants of $517,000, state grant funding of $197,000 and city funding of $789,000.

The city is seeking additional funding to complete the second phase of the project, which would extend the bicycle lanes between N.E. 60th Street and Bellevue city limits on both sides of 116th.