Safety improvements, upgrades proposed for 2-mile stretch of King County’s Burke-Gilman Trail

Public can comment on redevelopment proposals at Nov. 13 meeting in Shoreline

Major safety upgrades have been proposed for King County's Burke-Gilman Trail through Lake Forest Park – the first improvements along this heavily used two-mile stretch since the trail was built more than three decades ago.

"The Burke-Gilman Trail is not only a treasured centerpiece of our region's recreational infrastructure, but it has become an important daily commuting route for many," said Gina Auld, project manager for King County Parks. "However, with crumbling asphalt and invasive tree roots that have forced portions of its surface to rise, this section of the trail is starting to show its age."

The proposed redevelopment is planned for the stretch of trail from Northeast 145th Street through the City of Lake Forest Park to Log Boom Park.

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on proposed trail redevelopment alternatives will be available for public review and comment beginning Nov. 1.

King County will host a public hearing as part of the DEIS formal public review process on Nov. 13 at Shorecrest High School. The meeting is set for 6-9 p.m. in the school cafeteria, at 15343 25th Ave. NE in Shoreline. Participants can offer their comments about the DEIS and the proposed alternatives.

"Our goal is to bring this portion of the Burke-Gilman Trail up to modern standards so that walkers, joggers, skaters, bicyclists and other trail users can continue to enjoy this tremendous amenity," Auld said.

The DEIS evaluates two alternatives for redeveloping the existing trail segment. King County's preferred alternative includes widening and repaving the trail, plus improving drainage. A second alternative includes reconstructing the trail in-kind with no additional widening.

Auld said the range of alternatives reflects the substantial public input provided through neighborhood workshops, public and agency meetings and the Citizens Advisory Group.

Auld said traffic controls and signage would be redesigned and sight distance improved at intersections and driveway crossings under both alternatives. There is also a no-action alternative.

The meeting site for the Nov. 13 public hearing is accessible to persons with disabilities. Individuals requiring reasonable accommodation may request written materials in alternative formats, sign language, interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations by calling 206-684-1154 (voice) or TTY Relay: 711.

All comments received prior to midnight on Dec. 3 will be reviewed by the Burke-Gilman Trail Redevelopment Project Team and included in the formal comment record for consideration in the final EIS.

Written comments should be sent to Maggie Brown, King County Facilities Management Division, King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 700, Seattle, WA 98104 or sent via e-mail to fmd.sepacomments@kingcounty.gov. More information is available by contacting Brown at 206-263-7286.

The DEIS will be available for review at several locations:

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

Copies of the DEIS and Technical Appendices are available for review at the King County Facilities Management Division, King County Administration Building, Room 320, 500 4th Ave., Seattle.

The DEIS is also available for review or can be downloaded on the project website at; www.metrokc.gov/facilities/burkegilmantrail.

The Burke-Gilman Trail runs more than 18 miles from Shilshole Bay in the City of Seattle to the City of Bothell where it intersects 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/.