Politics & Government

Cross Kirkland Corridor Rail Removal Back on Track

Work removing the rails is expected to begin in late August and be complete in October, while design work continues on an interim trail.

With a decision firmly in hand, the city of Kirkland is once again ready to tackle the work of transforming the Cross Kirkland Corridor from rails to trail.

Three weeks after the federal Surface Transportation Board decided in the City’s favor allowing removal of the rails, A&K Railroad Materials, Inc. (Salt Lake City, Utah), is getting ready to begin salvage work, the city said in a press release.  

Expected to begin in late August and to be completed by the end of October, the work will also include restoration of all disturbed areas to match pre-construction or better conditions.  During project work, A&K will provide, install, and maintain temporary slope and erosion control using best management practices to protect sensitive areas.  City crews will follow the contractor during rail removal and complete needed ditch maintenance in order to improve drainage.  The railbed, which is the elevated gravel area, will remain intact as the City develops future options for future regional rail.  The rail removal work will not include removing the rails and repaving of the nine existing street crossing locations. 

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This will be done in a future contract as part of interim trail construction scheduled to begin in early 2014.  Subscribe to project updates at  www.kirklandwa.gov/crosskirklandcorridor or call the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 24-hour project line at 425-587-3838.

“There is great excitement about the future of the Corridor,” City Manager Kurt Triplett said in the release.  “This work continues the realization of the longtime vision of City leaders and the community to create a destination that enhances Kirkland’s livability.  Once the rail materials are gone, construction will begin on the Interim Trail which is envisioned to be a multi-use regional facility connecting communities around and across Lake Washington.”

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Design for the Interim Trail is about 60 percent complete and construction is anticipated to begin in early 2014 and be finished in the spring of 2014.  The Interim Trail will be built on the existing rail bed and will have all-weather crushed gravel extending from the South Kirkland Park and Ride at 108th Avenue Northeast to Totem Lake at 132nd Avenue Northeast.  Road crossings will be upgraded to include new signage, lighting, markings and in some locations rapid flashing crosswalk beacons.  Additionally, railing or fencing will be installed where required for safety and to protect sensitive areas.



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