2 Major Kirkland Construction Projects Begin Soon

KIRKLAND, WA — Construction season is in full swing in Puget Sound, and Kirkland is no exception. Contractors will begin two major infrastructure projects on April 29 that will last into early summer and span downtown north to near Juanita Beach.

Here's what to expect:

Market Street Stormwater Project

This project spans Market Street between Central Way and 12th Avenue. Contractors will close the northbound lane from about 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday through June. In May, crews will have to pull double-shifts between 7 p.m. and 3 p.m. for five straight days. The project will move in sections.

A detour will take drivers north along 1st Street until 13th Avenue. Southbound traffic will not be affected and will not be detoured. King County Metro routes 234 and 255 will reroute to 3rd Street. Market Street will be open in both directions on weekends.

Crews will be replacing about 3,000 feet of older stormwater pipes.

Lakefront Bike, Bus, and Pedestrian Improvements

This project spans 98th Avenue Northeast (Market Street north of Forbes Creek Drive) along the length of Juanita Bay Park from Northeast 116th Street to Forbes Creek Drive.

Crews will create a dedicated southbound lane for bikes and buses. Just south of the entrance to Juanita Bay Park at Forbes Creek, 250 feet of street parking will be deleted to create a "queue jump" that will allows buses and bikes to enter traffic slightly ahead of cars to reduce congestion. Cars heading southbound can use the queue-jump to turn right into Juanita Bay Park.

There will also be new pavement markings at 98th and Forbes Creek to allow bikes to turn left onto Forbes Creek Drive.

Work on this project will happen 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.