Kenmore celebrates reopening of Burke-Gilman Trail

Ground broken on next phase of SR 522 construction

Outdoor enthusiasts basked in the sun amid record heat in Kenmore while celebrating the grand re-opening of the Burke-Gilman Trail and completion of the new underpass at 73rd Avenue Northeast on Saturday, June 28. Ground was also broken on the next phase of State Route 522 improvements.

“The Burke-Gilman Trail and State Route 522 constitute a key transportation and recreation corridor,” said King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson, who spoke at the event and who, as chair of the Council’s Operating Budget Committee, helped secure funding for the project. “These improvements help ensure that future generations can enjoy the Burke-Gilman Trail.”

The new underpass is part of the State Route 522 project to increase safety, improve transit reliability, and ease congestion along the 522 corridor. The project includes Business Access and Transit lanes for transit reliability, new landscaping and medians, and new sidewalks, street lighting, and traffic signals. The ongoing improvements on SR 522 between 65th and 83rd Northeast are scheduled to be completed in 2009.

In addition to enjoying the sun and being among the first to try out the new underpass, attendees decorated their bikes at the City of Kenmore booth and got a free bike tune-up from an REI mechanic.