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NE 40th St Sidewalk Repairs
Project Overview
This project will replace three-quarters of a mile of sidewalk along the north side of NE 40th Street between 156th Avenue NE and Bel-Red Road with ADA-compliant six to eight-foot-wide sidewalks. Driveways will also be replaced in the project area. Trees that have damaged the existing sidewalk will be removed.
The current sidewalk has been heavily damaged by tree roots and is inaccessible to many residents including pedestrians, cyclists, people using wheelchairs, and people using walkers. The City of Redmond has a responsibility to provide accessible infrastructure to all residents.
During construction, there will be intermittent lane closures along NE 40th Street and intermittent sidewalk closures. Pedestrian detours will be in place during sidewalk closures. Lane closures will be marked with signage and flaggers will help direct traffic.
- What is this project trying to accomplish?
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This project will replace three-quarters of a mile of sidewalk along the north side of NE 40th Street between 156th Avenue NE and Bel-Red Road with ADA-compliant six to eight-foot-wide sidewalks. Driveways will also be replaced in the project area. Fifty trees that have damaged the existing sidewalk will be removed.
- Why are trees being removed for this project?
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The existing sidewalk has been heavily damaged by tree roots and is completely buckled in several places, making it inaccessible and unsafe for many of the area's residents.
- Where is work taking place?
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The sidewalk will be replaced along the north side of NE 40th Street between 156th Avenue NE and Bel-Red Road. The whole work area is slightly longer than three-quarters of a mile.
- When is work taking place?
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Construction will take place in the fall of 2024 from October to December. Construction may be delayed or extended based on the weather.
- How will construction work affect travel through the area?
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There will be intermittent lane closures along NE 40th Street and intermittent sidewalk closures. Pedestrian detours will be in place during sidewalk closures. Lane closures will be marked with signage and flaggers will help direct traffic.
- Who do I contact for more information?
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For questions, please contact Aaron Noble, [email protected].
Updates will be shared on this webpage - https://www.redmond.gov/2140/NE-40th-St-Sidewalk-Repairs
- What should residents expect during construction?
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Residents should expect daytime construction work. Regular construction noise during work hours. Residents will not be blocked from accessing their property. When driveways are replaced, it will be done one half at a time so that there is always access for residents.
- What should drivers expect during construction?
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Drivers should expect lane closures and delays. Try to find a different route if possible. Drive slow. Be aware of flaggers and other workers. Just because workers are not immediately visible does not mean they are not present on a construction site.
- What should pedestrians expect during construction?
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There will be a pedestrian detour during construction which will be marked by signs. Pedestrians will be detoured onto the shared-use path on the south side of NE 40th Street.
- What are we doing to mitigate tree removal?
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The construction area does not have room to replant trees to replace the 50 being removed. Instead, the project will pay into a tree planting fund enough money to plant 53 trees.
- Why is the city removing these trees?
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The trees planted in sidewalk planters along the north side of NE 40th Street have damaged and buckled the sidewalk, making it inaccessible to many residents. The trees need to be removed so that the sidewalk can be replaced.
- Why does the sidewalk need to be repaired or replaced?
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The current sidewalk has been heavily damaged by tree roots and is inaccessible to many residents including pedestrians, cyclists, people using wheelchairs, and people using walkers. The City of Redmond has a responsibility to provide accessible infrastructure to all residents.
- Why did the trees damage the sidewalk?
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The trees planted along this stretch of sidewalk were planted in the 1990s and are mostly Red Oaks, a variety native to the eastern United States. They have shallow root systems that are not conducive to being planted near sidewalks or other infrastructure.
- Why were these trees planted there if they would destroy the sidewalk?
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When these trees were selected and planted, the planning process was less robust and did not fully consider the long-term effects of these trees on the sidewalk. Presently, these trees would not be selected for these locations.
- Why can the City remove these trees if the City has a commitment to increase tree canopy in Redmond?
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Redmond uses a variety of strategies to mitigate the removal of trees and improve our tree canopy coverage in Redmond. These strategies include planting replacement trees on-site or elsewhere in Redmond for every tree removed and paying into tree replacement funds. This project will pay into a tree replacement fund to pay for replacing 53 trees.
ADA Accessibility
The City uses Federal Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines to develop and maintain a pedestrian network that is accessible for people of all abilities, which in turn helps create a vibrant and connected, as well as a healthy and sustainable, City. To be in compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA), this project also requires the replacement of curb ramps and driveway entrances. In this case, the narrow public right of way (area of public space bordered by individual property lines) on the north side of the street makes replanting some of these trees on site incredibly challenging. The project design team was able to meander the new sidewalk in some areas to keep some existing trees, where possible.
Tree Canopy and City Policies
The City policies support a healthy environment that supports an active community, a thriving community where all people feel safe, a well-planned and supported community that provides a sense of place, and a City that is welcoming, service-oriented, and fiscally responsible. The City has been at the forefront of sustainability and resource protection initiatives. The City of Redmond remains committed to our goal of increasing Redmond’s tree canopy goal of 40% and we use a variety of strategies to plant new trees and preserve existing trees where possible. The Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Vegetation Management Plan and the Tree Canopy Plan are key policy documents in how we approach this important topic city-wide.