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Lake to Sound Trail

A steam roller flattens out new pavement on a section of the Lake to Sound Trail

The Lake to Sound Trail, once complete, will be a 16-mile non-motorized, multi-use recreational trail spanning from the south end of Lake Washington in Renton, all the way to the shoreline of Puget Sound in Des Moines.

One of the first trails to make connections between our larger network of Regional Trails System, the Lake to Sound Trail will connect five cities in south King County, as well as four other major regional trails.

Designed and constructed in segments, as funding allows, the construction includes a 12-foot-wide asphalt trail with two-foot soft surface shoulders and one-foot clear zones on each side of the trail, as well as other elements like retaining walls, improved intersections/traffic controls, improved drainage systems, culverts, bollards, native landscaping, fencing, art, and other trail amenities.

An asphalt paver lays down a section of the trail in Burien

Trail History

A trail from Lake Washington to the Puget Sound

The Lake to Sound trail stems from a partnership between King County and five cities: Renton, Tukwila, Burien and Des Moines that goes back to 2008. Late that year and in early 2009, representatives from each city, the county, Cascade Bicycle Club, WSDOT, and the Port of Seattle gathered to review and approve the alignment for this 16-mile trail. Since then, King County, along with its partner cities, has been working to plan, design, and construct this visionary trail, one segment at a time. Funding for the preliminary design of the entire corridor and construction of the North Segment was proposed as part of the 2014-2019 King County Parks, Trails, and Open Space Replacement Levy.

Why is King County developing the Lake to Sound Trail?

The Lake to Sound Trail is part of a larger vision of mobility and access to all residents of King County. Not only does our Regional Trails System provide a connection between locations, it also connects people to healthy living, recreational opportunities, mental health, stress reduction and much, much more.

South King County is an area that is historically under served. In line with the King County Strategic Plan, trails in south King County are being prioritized to give those neighbors more access to recreational opportunities.

A trail for the community

At the end of the design, planning, outreach, and environmental multi-use process, King County will began finalizing the plans on the type of use, location, alignment, and width of the trail that best fits into the trail location within each segment.

Design and construction of each portion will continue to adhere to the agreements made during the early planning phase to provide a safe, multi-use regional trail for bicyclists, pedestrians, joggers, skaters, strollers, wheelchairs, and users of all ages and abilities.

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