Location

• 61st Avenue NE between NE190th Street and north city limit.

Schedule

• Construction started May 27, 2025 and will extend through spring of 2026.

Project Description

This project includes re-aligned sidewalk between NE 190th Street and NE 197th Street to preserve existing street trees, sidewalk panel repair on the east side of the roadway (north of NE 197th Street), new buffered bike lanes along 61st Avenue NE from NE 190th Street to the north city limits,  safe pedestrian crossings of 61st Avenue NE at NE 193rd Street, 60th Avenue NE, and NE 200th Street, and improvements to the 61st Avenue NE / NE 193rd Street intersection.  Other improvements include water main and storm drainage replacement, speed feedback signs and asphalt overlay. 

Tree Removal and Replacement 

Some trees along this corridor will need to be removed. The project team has designed improvements to preserve as many trees as possible; however, the growth and root pattern of the existing trees, and their proximity to the sidewalk and driveways will require some tree removal.  Also, two trees have died and require removal for safety.  Any trees removed will be replaced and will include root barriers.

As part of the planning process, the City gathered extensive community feedback to inform the approach to tree preservation and replacement. Visit the Online Open House to learn more about the process and to see FAQs. Thank you to everyone who provided input!

Trees By the Numbers

• # of red maple trees scheduled to be removed: 8

• # of dead red maple trees to be removed: 2

• # of other trees scheduled to be removed: 4

• # of red maple trees to be preserved with project: 42

• # of replacement trees (various species) scheduled to be planted within project: 57

Utility Relocations

In advance of construction (April/May 2025), franchise utilities including Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Northshore Utility District (NUD), Ziply and Comcast will be relocating some of their gas / power / communications /water infrastructure to make way for the city’s proposed improvements.

Funding

The current project budget is estimated at $5M. Funding sources include WSDOT’s Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety grant program ($1.4M), Washington State Transportation Improvement Board ($2.5M), Kenmore Automated Photo Enforcement (K.A.P.E.) funds (625k) and other local city funds.