The city of Kirkland has a construction contract underway to improve safety for walking and bicycling along Kirkland’s north-to-south corridor of Lake Washington Boulevard, Lake Street, Market Street and 98th Avenue Northeast.

The grant-funded Lakefront Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project includes installation of rapid flashing beacons, improved sidewalk access at 100 curb ramps, and the creation of colored bike lanes along intersections at Lake Washington Boulevard, Lake Street, Market Street and 98th Avenue Northeast. Streets will remain open throughout the project, but there will be occasional lane-closures and some temporary parking area closures. The city anticipates that the project will be completed by January 2019.

“These improvements will result in a safer user experience for pedestrians and bicyclists that wish to enjoy Kirkland’s beautiful lakefront for recreation or commuting,” said public works director Kathy Brown in a city press release. “Additionally, these improvements directly align with our City Council’s goals of enhancing public safety, creating dependable infrastructure, and providing balanced transportation that reduces reliance on single occupancy vehicles.”

Kirkland’s contractor has upgraded more than 30 curb ramps on Lake Washington Boulevard since Oct. 8.

C.A. Carey’s crews started working along Market Street in mid-November, enhancing bicycle lanes with buffers, colored paint and a bike box at Market Street’s intersection with Forbes Creek Drive.

After the holidays, its crews will move to Kirkland’s downtown, where they will upgrade 10 curb ramps along Lake Street, Central Way and Market Street and establish two sets of rapid flashing beacons on Market Street’s intersections with Central Way and Fourth Avenue. ​

More information regarding the Lakefront Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements project can be found at http://bit.ly/LakefrontBikePed.