Overview

Project overview

This Juanita Dr NE Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements project is one of several included in the City of Kenmore's Walkways and Waterways program, an improvement bond measure that was approved by Kenmore voters in 2016. Construction is expected to start as soon as July 6, 2020 and finish at the end of 2021. This project will include:

1.5 miles of new sidewalk and landscaping on the east side of Juanita Dr from 143rd St to NE 170th St
Buffered bicycle lanes in each direction
Bus stop improvements
Improved street lighting
A new storm drainage system
Minor traffic signal modifications

For more information, check out our factsheet.

Project map

Map showing three construction projects: 68th Avenue NE Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Project on 68th Avenue NE between NE 182nd Street 61st Place NE; West Sammamish River Bridge Replacement Project on 68th Avenue NE between NE 170th Street and NE 175th Street; and the Juanita Drive NE Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Project on Juanita Drive NE between the City of Kirkland limit and NE 170th Street. — City of Kenmore construction projects in the Juanita Dr NE / 68th Ave NE corridor.

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info@kenmoreconstruction.com

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(425) 201-4147

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Current construction activity

The City has determined this project is essential and work will continue as planned.
Construction is currently focused on drainage installation, grading and intermittent water work between 170th and 158th streets.
Intermittent water relocation work is onging, concurrently with the City’s construction contract through an interlocal agreement with Northshore Utility District.
Traffic safety:
- Please drive safely and be aware of bicyclists sharing the roadway and construction crews nearby.
- Cyclists should take care, be mindful of steel plates in the roadway, observe flaggers and merge into traffic flow through the work zone.
- Motorists are advised not to block side street intersections when vehicle back-ups occur.

General construction activity overview

The work zone includes both east and west sides of Juanita Dr NE between NE 143rd and NE 170th streets.
Typical workdays are Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM. Mobilization and some light work will occur before and after work hours.
Occasional weekend work between 9 AM and 5 PM.
During construction, the roadway will be reduced to one lane of travel within the work zone, controlled by flaggers. Lanes may be restricted from 7 AM to 4 PM.
Pedestrian and bicycle access will be maintained throughout the construction zone.
Bicyclists should use extreme caution and obey speed limits when sharing the roadway with vehicular traffic and be aware of steel plates covering work trenches.
Vehicle access to properties will be maintained during construction.

Key turn lane changes on Juanita

The project will add designated left turn pocket lanes at several locations along the corridor, including 165th, 163rd, 158th streets and into several multifamily buildings.

However, vehicles will no longer be able to make a left turn into NE 155th Pl while driving southbound on Juanita Dr NE or southbound onto Juanita Dr NE from NE 155th Pl, as is possible today. NE 155th Pl will be limited to right-in, right-out turning movements only. This is due to the high frequency of accidents and reduced sight distance because of the “S” curve at that section of Juanita Dr NE.

After the project is complete, a raised curb will be installed along the centerline to prohibit these left turn movement (however emergency vehicles will be able to mount the curb, if needed). All vehicles will be required to make the southbound left at the signalized intersection of NE 153rd Pl and Juanita Dr NE.

New left turn lanes on Juanita Dr NE (click image to enlarge)

FAQs

Q: When will construction begin for each project?

West Sammamish River Bridge Replacement: Construction started in March 2020 and will be completed in late 2022.

Juanita Dr NE Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements: Construction is expected to begin in spring 2020 and take about a year to complete.

68th Ave NE Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements: Construction is expected to begin in spring 2021 and take about a year to complete.

Q: What are the Walkways and Waterways projects?

Kenmore residents passed the Walkways and Waterways bond measure to fund projects to improve safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians and connect people to public open space and waterfront activities. Currently, the City of Kenmore is headed towards construction on the following two projects.

Juanita Dr NE Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements:

This project involves the construction of new pedestrian and bicycle access to the bridge on the east side of Juanita Dr NE, between NE 143rd St and NE 170th St.

This project will include:

New sidewalk and landscaping on the east side of Juanita St from 143rd St to NE 170th St
Buffered bicycle lanes in each direction
Bus stop improvements
Improved street lighting
A new storm drainage system
Minor traffic signal modifications

68th Ave NE Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements:

This project will construct new sidewalk on one side of 68th Ave NE from NE 182nd St to 61st Pl NE. The City of Kenmore will also be constructing bicycle lanes in each direction and upgrading street lighting. This project will also install a new storm drainage system.

Q: How will you ensure safety for pedestrians and cyclists during construction?

Q: How will emergency vehicles pass through the construction site?

Q: Will I need to change how I get my children to school?

Q: How will bus routes change during construction?

Routes will not change, but bus stop locations will be moved to avoid conflicts with construction. Temporary stops will be located relatively close to their existing locations. After construction, permanent bus stop locations will be changing. Please contact the project to learn more about these future locations.

For more information on live bus routes, visit King County Metro Trip Planner.

Q: Will I be able to access the Kenmore Boat Launch during construction?

Yes. However, during certain periods of construction, your access to the boat launch will change. Sign up for email construction updates to learn more about these changes before they occur.

Here are the primary impacts you can expect:

Throughout the year, the driveway will be periodically impacted which will slightly delay access to the boat launch site. These impacts will be sporadic and will mostly likely only be a delay of less than a few minutes.
Boat traffic underneath the bridge will temporarily be closed for 15-minute periods in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard during in-water work. During popular community events, such as Seafair, the City will continue to work with the U.S. Coast Guard to determine how to best acommodate access.
During the months of July and August of 2020 2021, and 2022, the parking stalls on the east side of the lot will be closed and used for construction. Truck and trailers will need to park in the available right of way on 68th and 175th.
The access road underneath the bridge will be closed from March 2020 through fall 2022. Access to the boat launch will have to come from the north. To exit the boat launch, vehicles will need to head south. Access northbound and exit northbound will not be provided.

Q: Are you coordinating with Bothell and other local jurisdictions in the area?

Q: How do I sign up for updates on these projects?