Location

61^st Ave NE between NE190th Street and north city limit

Schedule

Design/Permitting 2024-25

Construction 2025-2026

Updates

At the June 10, 2024 City Council meeting, City staff presented a proposed design and updated project costs to complete the 61st Avenue NE Sidewalk Replacement Phase 1 improvements. This project includes new re-aligned sidewalk to preserve existing street trees, sidewalk panel repair on the east side of the roadway and new bike lanes along 61^st Avenue NE from NE 190^th Street to the north city limits. 

Also included are safe pedestrian crosswalks across 61^st Avenue NE at NE 193^rd Street and 60^th Avenue NE, and improvements to the 61^st Avenue NE and NE 193^rd Street intersection (pictured above). Design is ongoing and construction is scheduled for the summer of 2025. When complete, these new enhancements will provide many added safety benefits.

Project Description

Phase 1 improvements consist of:

• Sidewalk re-alignment and replacement EAST SIDE ONLY
• Bike lanes both sides with removal of right turn lanes and on-street parking
• Curb extensions at NE 193rd Street and 60th Ave NE intersections to shorten pedestrian crossings
• Safe Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) pedestrian crosswalks across 61^st Avenue NE at NE 193^rd Street and 60^th Ave NE
• Speed feedback signs (2 NB, 1 SB) to help slow traffic
• Asphalt overlay (funded by separate city asphalt overlay program) 

Tree Removal and Replacement - Some trees along this corridor will need to be removed. The project team will be designing the improvements to preserve as many trees as possible; however, the growth and root pattern of the existing trees, and their proximity to the sidewalk and driveways will require some tree removal. Any trees removed will be replaced with root barrier. City Council voted to proceed with the 30% design presented at the June 10, 2024 Council Meeting (see attached roll plot).

Funding

The current project budget is estimated at $3,367,540, of which 40% is funded by WSDOT’s Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety grant program.

This project currently has funding to address the sidewalk heaving issues on the east side of the street only.  The west side of the street is currently included in the project scope of Phase 2 improvements tentatively scheduled in 2028 but is being designed concurrently with the east side improvements for continuity and construction readiness.  Staff continues to pursue grant opportunities in 2024 to potentially accelerate the delivery of the west side improvements concurrently with Phase 1 as shown.