Burke-Gilman Trail makeover: Safety improvements part of redevelopment

The oldest portion of King County’s Burke-Gilman Trail is scheduled for a major makeover that will create a safer and more enjoyable experience for all trail users.

Today, King County is issuing the final environmental impact statement on its redevelopment plan for about two miles of the Burke-Gilman Trail, from Northeast 145th Street to Log Boom Park in Lake Forest Park.

The plan calls for widening the trail to 12 feet, with a three-foot-wide soft surface on one side and a one-foot-wide soft surface on the other side. The soft shoulders provide an alternative surface for runners and walkers to use.

The Lake Forest Park section of the trail is the oldest length of the Burke-Gilman Trail under King County management, and it’s showing its age, including cracks in the pavement, impaired sightlines and inadequate signage.

Other planned upgrades to the trail include improving drainage, redesigning traffic controls and signage, and improving sight distance at intersections and driveway crossings.

“The Burke-Gilman Trail is the backbone of our nationally acclaimed regional trail system that provides both recreation and a viable commuting option for thousands of people every day,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “Public safety is our overarching priority, and these improvements help make the trail safer for everyone while also providing a great commute route for bikers.”

The preferred alternative to redevelop the trail was developed with significant public input provided through neighborhood workshops, public and agency meetings and the Citizens Advisory Group.

The Burke-Gilman Trail Redevelopment Final EIS is available online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/burkegilmantrail/; at the King County Administration Building, Room 320, 500 4th Ave., Seattle, or at theses public libraries:

• Seattle Public Library, Lake City Branch – 12501 28th Ave. N.E., Seattle 
• Lake Forest Park Public Library – 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Lake Forest Park
• Kenmore Library – 18138 73rd N.E., Kenmore
• Bothell Regional Library – 18215 98th Ave. N.E., Bothell
• Shoreline Library – 345 N.E. 175th, Shoreline

Printed copies of the final EIS can be purchased from Olympic Reprographics for the reproduction cost of $92.26 by contacting 206-373-7043 and using reference number 26966. CDs of the Final EIS are also available at the reproduction cost of $1.50 per CD by contacting Cat Hicks, King County Department of Executive Services, 206-296-1822.

The Burke-Gilman Trail runs more than 18 miles from Shilshole Bay in the City of Seattle to the City of Bothell where it connects with the Sammamish River Trail. The trail is managed by Seattle within the city limits south of Northeast 145th Street and by King County outside Seattle. The trail follows an historic railroad route near the Lake Washington Ship Canal and north along Lake Washington to the Sammamish River.

More information on King County’s regional trail system is available at http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/trails/.

Related Information

King County Regional Trails

King County Parks – Your Big Backyard