Several projects affecting the Totem Lake area are coming to the fore over the next few years. The most immediate one — a connector bridge — started part of its construction process this week.

“All these projects are about the revitalization of Totem Lake,” Kellie Stickney, communications program manager for Kirkland, said.

Contractors won’t officially begin work on the Totem Lake Connector bridge until spring 2020. The construction that started this week is specifically focused on the rerouting of an eight-inch Northshore Utility District sewer pipe to ensure the area is ready for construction next year.

Forma Construction is doing the re-routing.

“The [sewer] line kind of runs exactly where they’re putting the bridge,” project engineer Aparna Khanal said. “That’s the reason we have to intercept the pipe.”

Ultimately, the connector bridge is to be used by pedestrians and bikers. It connects the two ends of the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) — a 5.75-mile stretch separated by the Northeast 124th Street and Totem Lake Boulevard intersection.

The work is also happening to accommodate expected growth in the area. Due in part to the large number of construction projects in and around Totem Lake — which entails 800 new homes and about 400,000 square feet of retail space by the end of this year, according to the city of Kirkland’s website — trips via car are slated to increase, resulting in a need for the bridge.

Stickney noted that the affected intersection is the busiest one in the city — something Kirkland is seeking to change with the project.

“By building this bridge, we’ll give people a really safe and aesthetically pleasing way to access the entirety [of the CKC],” she said.

The construction of this portion of the project is expected to be completed in January.

Stickney said there will be noticeable impacts to traffic on a 24/7 basis, and that residents should try to avoid the area especially around commute times, when the effects will be at their worst.

Access to businesses in the Totem Lake area, as well as shops and services at the Village at Totem Lake, will be maintained, according to a press release.

The southbound lanes on Totem Lake Boulevard will be closed from 120th Avenue Northeast to 124th Avenue Northeast during the slated construction period. There will be a detour via Northeast 128th Street onto 116th Avenue Northeast for southbound traffic, with two new northbound lanes open in the interim, according to a press release.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience during this time and we look forward to having a revitalized, beautiful Totem Lake with all of these completed projects,” Stickney said.

Mayor Penny Sweet spoke about the work in a recent press release.

“We’re very excited to continue progress toward achieving our vision for a revitalized Totem Lake,” Sweet said. “The city’s investments in infrastructure, including the Totem Lake Connector bridge and Totem Lake Park, along with a private investment in the Village at Totem Lake, will result in a walkable, vibrant and green urban center.”

For more information about Totem Lake construction work, go to tinyurl.com/ujnjgfs.