The Juanita Drive Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements Project is one of the five voter-approved Walkways & Waterways bond measure projects.

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Mayor Cuts Fifth and Final Walkways & Waterways Ribbon 

Juanita Drive ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates the completion of Kenmore’s fifth and final Walkways & Waterways project 

On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, Mayor Herbig and Councilmembers Srebnik, Baker, and Pfeil, along with city and project staff, gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Juanita Drive Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements Project. The cutting of the ribbon marks the completion of the fifth and final Walkways and Waterways project, which increases pedestrian, cyclist, and driver safety on one of Kenmore’s busiest arterial roads. 

The completed project provides:  

• 1.5 miles of continuous new sidewalk 
• Three miles of buffered bike lanes
• Traffic calming and other safety enhancements such as new speed feedback signs, improved lighting, shortened crossing distances for pedestrians, and new center medians 
• 2,200 feet of new center turning lanes for improved safety and vehicle movement  

Juanita Drive is now is greatly improved from the previous roadway, which lacked continuous sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and other safety features.  

The project also provides 7,800 feet of landscaped planter beds, illuminated median art, 46 new LED lights, 25 new ADA compliant curb ramps for wheelchairs, and a new stormwater system for water quality and flood prevention. Over 200 new trees were planted along the project corridor. 

“I am thrilled to have cut the ribbon on the new and improved Juanita Drive, which celebrates the completion of all five voter-approved Walkways and Waterways projects,” said Kenmore Mayor Nigel Herbig. “The many new enhancements on Juanita Drive and cutting this final ribbon shows the City delivered on its promise in the bond measure to improve safety on Juanita Drive for pedestrians and cyclists in Kenmore for generations to come.”  

“Due to issues outside our control, construction took much longer than expected,” said City Manager Rob Karlinsey. “This was a tough project for our residents and businesses along the corridor, and I want to thank them for their patience and perseverance. With new continuous sidewalks, buffered bike lanes, landscape beautification, and new center turn lanes, I hope we can all conclude that the end result was worth the pain.” 

“There are so many things to like about this project,” Deputy Mayor Melanie O’Cain said, “including less visible but incredibly important benefits to the environment. I’m referring to the $2.5 million the City and State invested in this project to clean and filter water runoff from the road. This runoff ends up in our streams and in our lakes, which will be cleaner and healthier thanks to this project.” 

“Many of the new enhancements on Juanita Drive, such as curb extensions at intersections and narrow lane widths, will slow cars down, get drivers to pay attention, increase safety and comfort for walkers and cyclists, and support the City Council’s Target Zero goal of zero bicycle or pedestrian fatalities by 2025,” said City Manager Rob Karlinsey. 

Approved by Kenmore voters in 2016, the Walkways and Waterways bond measure encompasses five projects including the Juanita Drive Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvement Project, the 68th Avenue Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements Project (completed April 2023), The Log Boom Park Access and Viewing Project (completed July 2022), The Waterfront and Natural Open Space Project at  ƛ̕ax̌ʷadis (Tl' awh-ah-dees) Park (completed April 2023), and the Rhododendron Park Waterfront and Natural Open Space Access Project (completed 2018). 

Construction began on Juanita Drive in July of 2020. The total cost of the project, including design, permitting, city staff time, utilities, project management, and construction, was $18.9 million. Funding sources included the following: 

• $5.0 M City Walkways and Waterways Bond 
• $1.6 M WA State Department of Ecology  
• $1.5 M Sound Transit 
• $2.5 M WSDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Program 
• $0.2 M WA State Department of Commerce  
• $1.4 M Northshore Utility District 
• $6.3 M City Local Funds 
• $0.4 M Private Utilities 
• $18.9 M Total (Rounded) 

A few final details, such as median artwork and LED street light installation, will be completed later this month.  Additionally, the contractor is responsible for replacing two sections of failing pavement along Juanita Drive at the 153rd intersection and near 155th Street. The grind and asphalt overlay needed for this repair will take place in the second week of June. 

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