The City of Bellevue’s Capital Improvement Program includes projects to maintain creek and drainage systems and reduce flooding in the City. As part of this program, the City is upsizing the existing Valley Creek Culvert under NE 21st Street on the east side of 140th Avenue NE to reduce road flooding during large storms. In addition to replacing the culvert, work will also include creek restoration by removing silt and overgrowth. The new culvert will also be fish passable.
This project is partially funded by the King County Flood Control District.
Why is this project needed?
Valley Creek experiences channel overflows during large storms and causes road flooding on NE 21st Street NE. This project will construct a larger culvert and additional storm drain inlets that will help reduce flooding in the area. This will improve access for businesses on NE 21st Street during storms by reducing road flooding. Future projects in the area will also help to further reduce the risk and frequency of flooding during storm events. The new culvert will be designed to be fish passable and follow State of Washington design guidelines.
Project Timeline
The project will complete design and permitting in 2022. Construction is expected to begin in May 2023 and end in fall of 2023. Construction may be delayed until 2024 if permits are not acquired in 2023.
- Winter 2022: Final design
- January – February 2023: Complete design and permitting; project goes to bid for construction
- May 2023: Construction begins
- Fall 2023: Construction ends
*Note: Schedule is subject to change
Community Engagement
The project team hosted an Online Open House to share information about the project, potential impacts, and answer questions on Thursday, December 15. View the presentation from the Online Open House and watch the recording below.
Potential Impacts
During construction, traffic on NE 21st Street will be reduced from two lanes to one lane of alternating traffic. This traffic restriction will be in place 24 hours a day throughout construction (approximately May to October). Potential impacts may include delays entering and exiting NE 21st Street from 140th Avenue NE during peak traffic hours. Flaggers will be onsite to minimize traffic delays.
Services including garbage, mail, and emergency vehicles will not be impacted. The project team and the construction inspector will be in contact with local businesses during construction to communicate potential impacts. Business owners are also encouraged to contact the construction inspector with any concerns about the project.
