Progress in the realm of pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure has taken a definitive leap in Kirkland, with the groundbreaking of the NE 85th Street Shared-Use Pathway Project. In a move poised to enhance connectivity, the City of Kirkland and Sound Transit have begun the journey toward a more accessible and cohesive community fabric, as reported by Kirkland's official news announcement.
Fueling this stride toward increased mobility, the project's genesis was commemorated near Northeast 85th Street, with promises to bridge downtown Kirkland to burgeoning locales such as the Rose Hill district and Sound Transit's 405 Bus Rapid Transit station. Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold, present at the July 8th groundbreaking ceremony, highlighted the pathway's importance, having told Kirkland's news outlet, "This shared path will close the accessibility gap between downtown Kirkland and Sound Transit’s new 405 Bus Rapid Transit station." He punctuated his address with visions of a walkable future, replete with housing and commerce, all symbiotically linked to transit.
The pathway, chiefly bankrolled by Sound Transit's ST3 expansion, will span half a mile and live up to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Stitched along the south side of NE 85th Street from Sixth Street up to Kirkland Way, this accessible artery promises a swift and secure conduit for the flow of pedestrians and cyclists toward key transit hubs and Kirkland's downtown. Extensions of this route will reach into the hearts of the South Rose Hill and Bridle Trails neighborhoods, along with North Rose Hill, courtesy of pedestrian bridges straddling Interstate 405.
Rounding out the project's perks are 12-foot-wide pathways in accordance with ADA compliance, a pedestrian bridge transcending the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail, enhanced pedestrian lighting improving safety and visibility, and a stormwater detention vault to manage runoff. The ceremony stood as a confluence of local leadership, seeing Deputy Mayor Arnold flanked by Councilmembers Black, Falcone, and Pascal; Sound Transit Strategic Project Director for Bus Rapid Transit Paul Cornish also graced the occasion. With construction slated for a spring 2026 completion, residents await the fruits of this infrastructure enhancement with bated breath.
