Drivers Asked to Avoid Central and Sixth Due to Road Work

Drivers are being asked by the City of Kirkland to avoid the busy downtown intersection at Central Way and Sixth Street because of congestion due to work that began in April to upgrade the road surface and make lane revisions.

Traffic has been backed up considerably recently, particularly during rush hour periods.

Central Way and Sixth is a major intersection for drivers approaching and leaving downtown on the east and west respectively. The improvements being made include a longer-lasting roadway, traffic lane revisions to increase efficiency, and the reconstruction and realignment landscaped traffic medians.

Other improvements include realigning the westbound to northbound and eastbound to southbound right turn lane onto Sixth from Central Way, replacing sidewalk and curb at all four corners of the intersection, and installing audible pedestrian signals for those with disabilities, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Additionally, more protected pedestrian crossings at all corners of the intersection, new bicycle signal detection, and new street lighting will be installed. Construction is expected through July.

Kari Page, spokesperson for the city Publc Works Department, said the contractor is working to minimize impacts to traffic especially during peak hours. However, the work will at times require closures of specific lanes, but not all of them in a given direction, even during peak hours.

The congestion will move around the intersection as crews finish one section and move to the next. Right now they are working on the southeast corner, which affects traffic approaching the intersection from the south on Sixth, but also at times traffic approaching from the downtown on the west along Central Way.

Congestion will be an issue at times throughout the duration of the project, well into summer.

Page said additional signs will be added in an effort to move traffic more efficiently, and already congestion notices have been posted on the electronic reader board at the Houghton Fire Station to try to redirect some traffic.

Details can be found at www.kirklandwa.gov (Search: 6th and Central) or by calling the project hotline at 425-587-3838.