King County making crucial repairs to levees; Portion of Cedar River Trail closed during work

Temporary trail closure through Sept. 1 required so heavy machinery can move in, repair levees

The effects of last winter’s record flooding continue to be felt in King County, as construction crews prepare to repair portions of two heavily damaged levees along the Cedar River before fall rains bring a fresh threat of flooding and the potential for additional damage.

This crucial repair work requires the complete closure of a 2 ½-mile stretch of King County’s Cedar River Trail between 154th Place Northeast and Southeast Jones Road, just north of State Route 169 in southeast Renton. Signs warning of the trail closure will be posted at either end of the construction project area. There will be no designated detour for trail users.

The damaged levees protect a regional fiber optic cable line, State Route 169 and the trail. Repair work includes stabilizing the river bank to avoid harm to these important regional resources.

King County Road Maintenance crews will perform the work, using heavy equipment to shore up the levees. The damage is extensive enough to require the complete closure of the trail through the project site.

The total repair cost is approximately $450,000. Project funding comes from the King County Flood Control District, the countywide special purpose government that provides funding and oversight for flood protection projects and programs.

The work is part of a countywide levee-repair effort following historic flooding in King County last January. Record high flows were recorded along some rivers, while millions of dollars of damage to levees and flood-reduction structures were discovered across King County.

The Cedar River Trail runs more than 17 miles from the mouth of the Cedar River in downtown Renton to the Landsburg community. More information about the trail is available at http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/trails.aspx.

The King County Flood Control District is a special purpose government created to provide funding and policy oversight for flood protection projects and programs in King County.  The Flood Control District’s Board is composed of the members of the King County Council. The Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks develops and implements the approved flood protection projects and programs. Information is available at http://www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org/.

Related Information

Cedar River Trail

King County Parks – Your Big Backyard

Flooding Services and Information

King County Water and Land Resources Division

King County Flood Control District