120th Avenue NE Corridor

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This project will enhance mobility and safety for people walking, biking, driving and taking transit on 120th Avenue Northeast, between the future Northeast 16th Street and Northup Way. It would be a continuation of previous corridor upgrades -- between Northeast Fourth and 16th streets -- completed in three phases from 2013 to 2018. Like the earlier work, this fourth phase would support growth and redevelopment in the Bel-Red and Wilburton areas. The improvements are being planned in coordination with Sound Transit’s East Link light rail project.

Details

Design work is happening through a Three Party Agreement approved in 2015. An evaluation is being coordinated with a planned Transit-Oriented Development near Sound Transit’s Operations and Maintenance Facility-East, located on the west side of 120th Avenue Northeast. Design elements (image of proposed design) that will be considered in the feasibility study include:

Widening the road from two to up to four through lanes, with a center lane that can be configured as needed to improve safety and vehicle circulation
New pedestrian and bicycle facilities on both sides of the street, providing safe access to the future light rail station and nearby trail
Removal and replacement of the existing Kelsey Creek West Tributary culvert under the roadway to allow improved passage for fish and other wildlife and associated stream restoration
Upgrade utility and stormwater facilities
Improve traffic signals, street lighting, landscaping, retaining walls and signage
Update pavement and striping

Design for this fourth phase is anticipated to be complete in early 2023. The 120th Avenue Northeast (Stage 4) / Northeast 16th Street to Northup Way – Multimodal Corridor Completion project would be constructed in two segments:

North segment from the King County Metro transit base to Northup Way
South segment from Northeast 16th Street to the King County Metro transit base

The city proposes first constructing the north segment improvements due to uncertainties with proposed development within the south segment project limits.

Funding for construction has not yet been secured.

Public feedback informs project design

An online open house was held March 29-April 16, 2021, as an opportunity for public feedback on preliminary design concepts for roadway sections, a trail crossing and urban design features. A summary report was published in May 2021. General themes gathered from the online survey include:

Desire for more connections to regional trails
Minimize the number of travel lanes
Preference for interpretive signs for natural areas
Preference for existing planter beds on both sides of sidewalk on 120th Avenue Northeast
Preference for retaining wall design as metal mesh on green screen mounted on concrete wall

Based on public feedback received through the online open house, the project team re-evaluated the Transportation Technical Report prepared in 2011. The report required the project include two southbound through lanes and two northbound through lanes, including a center turn lane within the project limits. The updated 2021 Traffic Analysis Report recommends one northbound through lane within the project limits and two southbound through lanes to be extended from the southern project termini to the future Northeast 18th Street. The rest of the southbound through lane would remain at one lane within the project limits. Additionally, a center lane would be added that may be designated as a left-turn lane, a two-way left-turn lane or a median/center island.

Schedule

2020-2021: Work on project design to achieve 60% level of completion (complete)
2022-2023: Complete design work
2025-2026: Right-of-way acquisition and permits
TBD: North segment construction (construction is currently unfunded)

Funding

Engineering design (to 60% level of completion) and coordination of work are funded by the City’s Capital Investment Program and estimated at approximately $3 million. The remaining design work will be funded with $1.46 million from the Puget Sound Regional Council Surface Transportation Program. Construction is currently unfunded. Approved 2021-2027 Capital Investment Program Budget Sheet.