The following is a release from the city of Kirkland:

The Sound Transit Board has been seeking input on developing a draft Priority Project List (PPL) to be considered for the next round of system expansion (ST3). This public process begins to narrow the scope of corridors and modes that will be studied this fall. Included in the corridor options is the Eastside Rail Corridor (including the CKC) which is being studied for high capacity transit from SR 522 to SR 520 serving the Kirkland/Totem Lake Urban Center and the South Kirkland Park and Ride. Other corridors being studied include: SR 520 – Regional express bus and/or High Capacity Transit (HCT) from the Seattle side of SR 520 to Redmond; 1-405 – Regional express bus, bus rapid transit (BRT), and/or light rail (LRT); and SR 522 – Regional express bus and/or HCT from 1-5/NE 145th Street to 1-405.

As you may know, the CKC Master Plan calls for transit along the pedestrian and bicycle trials.  Consistent with this vision, the City has been commenting on the PPL to the Sound Transit Board this summer. As reported in the June CKC Update, Kirkland submitted comments and suggested projects to be considered. In July, the City submitted more detailed input to the Sound Transit Board which was supported by Kirkland businesses and developers by accompanying letters.

For more information, please contact David Godfrey, Kirkland Public Works, at 425-587-3865 or dgodfrey@kirklandwa.gov. Or, visit the ST3 website.

Preliminary Capital Improvement Program supports CKC Master Plan

On July 21, the City Council got its first look at the 2015-2020 Preliminary Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP is a plan that addresses construction, repair, maintenance and acquisition of major capital facilities and equipment. The preliminary 6 year CIP (2015-2020) proposes to fund a number of projects that support the Cross Kirkland Corridor Master Plan. The final CIP will be adopted by the Kirkland Council in December of 2015. This and subsequent CKC Updates will highlight projects in the proposed Capital Improvement Program related to the CKC.

• South Kirkland Transit Oriented Development: Nearly $1M was added to the existing budget ($1.45M) for the design and construction of an elevator stair tower and covered pedestrian bridge between the new parking garage at the South Kirkland Transit Center and the CKC.  An elevation difference of 30-60 feet between the new public parking garage and the CKC prevents easy access between these facilities. The design for the project is nearing 60% completion.

• NE 124th Street/124th Avenue NE Pedestrian Bridge Design: The Totem Lake Park and CKC Master Plans include an iconic spiral pedestrian and bicycle bridge crossing the CKC at NE 124th Street/124th Avenue NE/Totem Lake Boulevard.  A design phase leading to a grant-submittal is funded in the CIP ($1.5M).  This investment will improve the chances of leveraging City funds for the $11.36M bridge construction.

• CKC Bridge Connection to the Houghton Shopping Center:  The project will create an important pedestrian and bicycle connection from the CKC to the Houghton/Everest Business District through the property recently purchased by the City (along 106th Avenue NE adjacent to the Houghton Shopping Center).  The connection includes a bridge over the wetland on the east side of the CKC and surface improvements to delineate the pedestrian and bicycle trail from the bridge to 106th Avenue NE.  The project budget is $175K.

The City Council will have a second study session on the Preliminary 2015-2020 CIP on August 3 and will hold a public hearing on September 1.

Volunteers make such a difference on the CKC! Step Building Work Party, Sunday, July 26

Some volunteer opportunities perfect for you, your family, neighborhood, or business.  Volunteers are needed on Sunday, July 26 and Saturday, August 1 at 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., to help build stairs and improve the connection between 116th Avenue NE and the CKC at the north end of the Highlands Neighborhood. Meet up at 116th Ave NE/NE 107th Place. Bring gloves, water/snacks, hand tools, dress for weather, and email karen@nwnative.us with questions.

(Very) Friendly Reminder: Trail Users Etiquette and Rules

With the popularity of the CKC on the rise, we encourage you to use the following safety guidelines to make the trail safe and enjoyable for everyone. The Interim Trail is posted as follows:

•    Pets must be on leash

•    Pick up after your pet

•    Stay on trail

•    Pass on left and warn before passing

•    Use during daylight hours only

•    No motorized vehicles

•    No horses

To ensure safe speeds, the trail will be posted with a 15 MPH speed limit.

For more tips on how to “Share the Trail” can be found on the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website: http://www.railstotrails.org/share-the-trail/.

Brown Bag Lunch, Monday, July 27: Provide input on trail use rules; community celebration

The next brown bag lunch will be a working meeting. Interested residents will meet at noon on Monday, July 27 in the City Council Chambers at City Hall (123 Fifth Avenue). The group will review the adopted interim trail rules and brainstorm ways of improving safety for all users on the trail (bicyclists and pedestrians).  Participants will also discuss ways the community can help with trail opening celebration at SRM/Google tentatively scheduled in late August. The brown bag lunch is a great way to get information about upcoming projects and plans on the CKC and to provide input on issues important to you. Brown Bag lunches are open to the public. For more information contact kpage@kirklandwa.gov or call 425-587-3011.

Contractor on Board for Rail Removal on NE 124th Street and Totem Lake Boulevard

The City now has a contractor on board to remove the rails at NE 124th Street and Totem Lake Boulevard at the Cross Kirkland Corridor. If all goes well, we anticipate construction in August. Information on construction sequencing and possible lane closure information will be distributed in this Update, posted on the CKC website and CKC Facebook. The City is looking for ways to mitigate traffic impacts during construction which will include a significant amount of night work.  For more information, contact the Kari Page, CKC Coordinator at 425-587-3011 orKPage@kirklandwa.gov.

What future transit services do you want for Kirkland?

Important Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/kcmetrovision2 (Complete by July 31, 2015)

King County Metro Transit is asking Kirkland residents to share what types of transit service they think will get them to where they want to go. This input will help Metro’s transit planners better understand what is the best mix of bus service for Kirkland and the county including frequent, local and express buses service. This feedback will be used to shape Metro’s future transit network of bus routes and supporting facilities like park and rides. Please note that this is Metro’s second Long Range Plan survey. Metro will present conceptual networks based on this feedback later in the year. For more about the Long Range Plan, visit http://www.kcmetrovision.org/.

Summer events and the CKC

The Mother’s Day Half Marathon was a great success as the first organized run on the CKC with over 800 participants.  The CKC is fast becoming a popular place for fun runs and walks. Please know that it is the City’s policy to always keep part of the CKC open during these events and we ask event organizers to remind their participants of it. The next run is coming up: August 9 (Seattle Sounders FC 9K & 5K “Rave Green Run.”) For summer community event information go to Explore Kirkland and subscribe to receive monthly event guide via email.