61st Avenue NE Sidewalks Replacement Project (Phase 1; NE 190th ST - North City Limits)

This engagement effort has concluded.

Welcome!

Thank you for visiting the Online Open House for the 61st Avenue NE Sidewalks Replacement Phase 1 Project.

The City of Kenmore is currently evaluating design alternatives for the 61st Avenue NE Sidewalk Replacement Phase 1 Project.

Phase 1 project limits include 61st Ave NE / 61st Place NE (herein referred to as 61st Ave NE) between NE 190th Street and the north city limits. The goal of this project is to replace sidewalk panels damaged by tree roots, install bike lanes, provide safe pedestrian street crossings and repave the roadway. A detailed scope of work for the Phase 1 project is provided below.

Background:
The existing sidewalk is currently inaccessible and damaged by street tree roots. There are 67 existing street trees (mostly Red maples) impacting the existing sidewalks along the 61st corridor. These maple trees were planted in the late 1970s as part of a King County sidewalk and corridor beautification project. The trees do provide excellent tree canopy shade in the summer months over the roadway, and have beautiful coloration in the fall. However, these trees have been heavily pruned over the years due to overhead utility line and previous sidewalk maintenance efforts, and their health has deteriorated as a result.

Alternatives to address the sidewalk replacement are presented below in the Design Alternatives section. Phase 1 is the primary focus of this public forum, however feedback for the future Phase 2 is welcome as similar conditions apply (refer to Frequently Asked Questions FAQ section in sidebar for Phase 2 project information).

What we need from you:

You can help frame the future of the 61st Avenue NE corridor in Kenmore! Here is how you can share your feedback on how you think the City should proceed with this project:

1. Read through the information on this webpage.

2. Take the survey below and share your feedback on the alternatives.

3. Submit a comment to kvaughan@kenmorewa.gov.

4. Leave a citizen comment at the upcoming City Council meeting later this fall (TBD).

Phase 1 Project Scope

Replace the damaged sidewalk locations on the east side of 61^st Avenue NE north of NE 190^th Street
Make other ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) improvements to the east side of 61^st Avenue north of NE 190^th Street as needed.
Install bike lanes between NE 190^th Street to 62^nd Avenue NE (north city limit).
Add curb extensions (see FAQ for definition) at NE 193rd Street intersection to narrow the 193rd pedestrian crossing and install a Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) pedestrian crosswalk across 61^st Avenue NE.
Add curb extensions at 60th Avenue NE intersection to narrow the 60th Avenue NE pedestrian crossing, and install a RRFB pedestrian crosswalk across 61^st Avenue NE.
Complete a 2-inch grind and asphalt overlay from NE 190^th Street to 62^nd Avenue (included but funded through the City's overlay program).
Re-purpose the roadway width to provide new buffered bike lanes by removing on-street parking and the following auxiliary lanes:
- right turn pocket at 62^nd Avenue NE (Northbound to Eastbound).
- right turn pocket at 60^thAvenue NE (Southbound to Westbound).
- right turn pocket at NE 193^rd Street, Southbound to Westbound.
- right turn at NE 193rd intersection (Eastbound to Southbound).
Estimated project delivery: 2025

Project Vicinity Map:

Click the link to walk the Phase 1 project limits in Google Street View: 61st Ave NE (190th - North City Limits)

Phase 1 Design Alternatives:

Alternative 1 – Remove and replace trees/sidewalk:

Alternative 1 involves removing the existing street trees along east side of 61st Ave NE between NE 190^th ST and NE 197th ST where tree roots have extensively uplifted the adjacent sidewalk. Trees will be replaced at the same location if possible, along with installation of trees elsewhere within the corridor where space allows, to reduce the overall tree loss along the corridor. Tree replacement would consist of trees that are more appropriate for the space available with root barrier to protect the new sidewalk.

Alternative 2 – Bridge sidewalk over tree roots:

Alternative 2 involves preserving existing street trees as much as possible by bridging over the tree roots. In some locations, tree removal will be required to maintain accessibility, provide access to private properties, and stay within available public right of way. This alternative is less desirable for wheelchair access due to the ramping up and down along the sidewalk path.

Alternative 3 – Bridge sidewalk over tree roots AND relocate sidewalk into street, where possible:

Alternative 3 involves relocating the sidewalk into the existing street paved area where possible. This alternative would require modification to the existing storm drainage infrastructure and curb alignment, and possibly tree removal if root structures in roadway cannot be avoided during construction.

Alternative 4 – Relocate sidewalk outside public right-of-way:

Alternative 4 involves relocating the sidewalk further away from the roadway onto private properties where feasible. Relocating the sidewalk onto private property would require other tree and vegetated buffer loss along the private property frontages, and will require property owners to willingly sell a portion of their property to accommodate the new sidewalk. Given that this alternative includes a Right-of-Way Acquisition Phase, it will extend the delivery date by a minimum of 1 year.

Alternative 5 – Fill over tree roots and re-install sidewalk in place:

Alternative 5 involves importing fill to raise the grade over the tree roots and reinstall the sidewalk in its current alignment. This alternative is most likely a temporary fix as there is a high likelihood that the new sidewalk will heave over time as the roots continue to grow. Future sidewalk maintenance would be required through grinding the sidewalk depth down where future uplift occurs. This alternative is also less desirable for wheelchair access due to the ramping up and down along the sidewalk path.

Phase 1 Alternatives Comparison:

Alternative	Pros	Cons	Estimated Project Cost (rounded to nearest thousand)	Estimated Budget Shortfall (rounded to nearest thousand)
1 – Remove and replace trees / sidewalk	Lower cost option Replaces street trees with more appropriate species Lowest maintenance requirement High ADA accessibility Lowest impact to public during construction Long term solution	All fully grown street trees will be removed and replaced with small caliper trees that will take a decade to grow back Loss of environmental benefits that large trees provide until new trees grow Loss of street beautification in the short term	$1,950,000	$381,000
2 – Bridge sidewalk over tree roots	Retains existing street trees	Highest cost option Higher maintenance impact —especially maintaining ramps over tree roots. Lower ADA accessibility Uncertain if all retained street trees can be saved during construction May not be a long term solution and may require future tree removal.	$3,458,000	$1,889,000
3 – Bridge sidewalk over tree roots AND relocate sidewalk into street, where possible	Retains existing street trees Lower maintenance impact	Higher cost option Less comfortable (pushes pedestrians closer to vehicles) Lower ADA accessibility Uncertain if all retained street trees can be saved during construction	$3,219,000	$1,650,000
4 - Relocate sidewalk outside public right-of-way	Retains existing street trees High ADA accessibility Lowest maintenance impact	Higher cost option Would require willing sellers for city to acquire private property rights Would delay project delivery one year minimum; without willing sellers, property condemnation would be required would require tree and vegetation removal along property frontages, offsetting the value of retaining the street trees	$2,924,000	$1,355,000
5 - Fill over tree roots and replace sidewalk in place	Lowest cost option Retains existing street trees	Ongoing and likely frequent maintenance costs to sawcut sidewalk panel uplift in the future if tree roots continue to grow Would result in ongoing ADA accessibility issues Uncertain if all retained street trees can be retained during construction	$1,674,000	$105,000

61st Avenue NE Tree Evaluations:

Street trees along this corridor were evaluated by a licensed arborist. The existing health of the red maple street trees (65) were classified as dead (1), poor (6), fair (38), good (18) or excellent (2). Poor/fair trees are damaged, have reduced vigor, and/or are in a declining state, while good to excellent trees are healthy and show no signs of damage.

Click link to view the arborist report: 2022 Arborist Report-61st Place NE

Phase 1 Project Secured Funding:

WSDOT Pedestrian/Bicycle grant program funds: $1,364,265
City Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) funds: $175,000
City Surface Water Funds: $30,000

CURRENT PROJECT BUDGET = $1,569,265