This project aims to improve connections between the new South Bellevue Link light rail station and the adjacent neighborhood. It includes the construction of new sidewalks, landscaped areas, resurfacing pavement, and storm drainage work on SE 34th Street, 112th Avenue SE and 113th Avenue SE. In addition, traffic calming features will be implemented on 112th Avenue SE. The project will also include bicycle infrastructure where possible along SE 34th Street and 112th Avenue SE. These improvements were identified and/or requested by the community through the South Bellevue Station Area Plan, the Neighborhood Sidewalk Program and the Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP).
There is also a separate street and stair lighting project happening in this area as part of the NEP.
Description
Sidewalks
New sidewalks will improve accessibility and safety, and connect people walking and rolling to Bellevue Way and the South Bellevue Link light rail station. Once the sidewalks are installed, the road will be repaved (overlaid) through the Pavement Preservation Program. Shared bike symbols will be added along 112th Avenue SE after the paving is complete. Street parking will be preserved to the greatest extent possible. A crosswalk will also be added to connect SE 34th Street to the I-90 bike trail.
New sidewalks will be built on:
- The north side of SE 34th Street between 108th Avenue SE and 111th Avenue SE.
- The west side of 112th Avenue SE between SE 30th Street and just south of SE 31st Street.
- To preserve existing landscaping and avoid the need to build costly and disruptive retaining walls, the sidewalk will replace the existing parking bay on the west side of 112th Avenue SE between SE 30th Street and SE 31st Street.
- The west side of 113th Avenue SE between Bellevue Way SE and 112th Avenue SE.
Note: Existing sidewalk will not be replaced.
Speed cushions
At the start of 2024, project staff sent a mailer out to residents in the area and put up yard signs with information on a survey about traffic calming. This public input was used to decide what type of traffic calming treatment will be implemented—speed cushions were the most preferred. Five new speed cushions will be installed on 112th Avenue SE between Bellevue Way SE and SE 34th Street. They will be installed after the road is repaved as part of the city’s Pavement Preservation Program, which may occur after the sidewalks are installed. Patterned concrete entry treatments will also be installed on 112th Avenue SE near Bellevue Way and SE 34th Street; entry treatments encourage people to travel slower when entering a neighborhood.
Timeline
- Summer 2025: Expected construction completion. There may be a break between the sidewalk construction being complete and the repaving and speed cushion installation.
- Spring/Summer 2025: Construction begins
- Spring 2024: Design alternatives selected and final design begins
- Fall 2023: Community engagement and project design begins
Funding
Funding for this project comes from the Neighborhood Sidewalks Program, Station Area Improvement Program, Pavement Preservation Program and Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion Levy. The estimated cost is approximately $4 million.