Kirkland residents bracing for roadwork inconvenience should take note: starting September 23, Reed Excavating will be shutting down the southbound lane of 124th Avenue Northeast. This construction effort, which spans from Northeast 116th to 124th Streets, is part of an ongoing project to revitalize the Totem Lake area by adding numerous upgrades including additional automotive lanes and pedestrian-friendly features. According to a city announcement, the southbound closure will persist round-the-clock until October 14.
Motorists who usually travel south on 124th Avenue Northeast will be diverted onto Slater Avenue Northeast, where traffic may get a bit dicey because a concurrent project will see night-time roadwork by Fairfield for their development of The Brynn Apartments. Customers looking to reach Totem Square can still do so, by turning south from westbound Northeast 120th Street.
Adjustments are also in the pipeline for public transit; a bus stop on Totem Lake Boulevard facilitating routes 225 and 239 will be slightly relocated to accommodate the construction efforts. The transition, happening a few hundred feet northwards, ensures that access for Metro King County bus riders remains consistent despite the disruptions.
The overall goal of this development blitz is to turn Totem Lake into a "walkable, vibrant, and green urban center," as the project entails the installation of sidewalk bicycle lanes, wider sidewalks, over 40 pedestrian lights, enhancements to transit stops, and improvements to local water and sewer systems.
