Work to remove the railroad tracks on Northeast 124th Street and Totem Lake Boulevard began on Aug. 3. The removal and the repaving of the adjacent road sections will complete a final task of construction for the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC). Improvements are to enhance driving conditions and sidewalks that line both road sections.
As this is a very busy intersection, the majority of construction work will be done during the night (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.). Generally, one lane of traffic may be used by the contractor after 9 a.m. and before 3 p.m. to complete work within the street. The city of Kirkland is requiring that the contractor backfill and/or cover trenches and other unfinished work at the end of each day. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout the construction process. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of August.
Access to the CKC will remain open at all times. CKC pedestrians and bicyclists are directed to use the signalized crossings at this intersection before, during and after construction.
The tracks were from when Burlington Northern-Sante Fe Railroad (BNSF) owned the rail line which was later abandoned and became known as the Eastside Rail Corridor. The Port of Seattle bought the ERC and in 2012, the City of Kirkland purchased a 5.75-mile segment of the ERC, naming it the Cross Kirkland Corridor.
For questions regarding the project, contact Aaron MacDonald, Project Engineer, 425-587-3837, amacdonald@kirklandwa.gov or Christian Knight, 425-587-3831, cknight@kirklandwa.gov.
Construction updates will be posted to the Cross Kirkland Corridor Facebook and the city’s Twitter sites.
