Central Way and NE 124th Street Pedestrian Safety Projects

Gif showing the HAWK signal phases and how drivers should respond.

The HAWK (High intensity Activated crossWalK) signal is a traffic control device designed to help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways at midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections. They have been shown to reduce pedestrian crashes by 55%.

The above GIF animates through what the HAWK’s lights all mean. Here’s a write up of how the HAWK signal works as additional reference:

The crosswalk and signal are activated with the push button at each crosswalk.
Flashing yellow: Prepare to Stop
Solid Yellow: Begin stopping, Do NOT proceed
Two solid Reds: STOP
Alternating red flashing: Stop. Proceed IF crosswalk is clear
Dark: Proceed if NO pedestrians are in the crosswalk

Map showing two project locations, downtown on Central way between Market and Lake Streets, and on NE 124th Street near NKCC.

A City of Kirkland contractor is planning in early February to begin pedestrian safety improvements at two locations in Kirkland. Two High intensity Activated crossWalKs (HAWK) will replace two Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB’s) on Northeast 124th Street at the North Kirkland Community Center and near 105th Place Northeast.

Downtown, the improvements will add a center island median where Market Street enters Marina Park, extend the ends of some medians on Central Way including the medians at Lake Street and 1st Street so that they reach the crosswalks, and add bicycle lanes in each direction between Market Street and Lake Street.

Previous Updates

(Apr. 17, 2025) -- Drivers on Central Way will encounter a uniformed police officer controlling the intersection of Central Way and Lake Street on Wednesday (est.) 4/23 as a Kirkland Contractor one signal head to control right-turns. The majority of downtown work is substantially complete for this project.

Signal work will be scheduled in the next couple weeks for the HAWK crosswalks on NE 124th Street.

(Apr. 10, 2025) -- Construction is progressing quickly at both locations, downtown on Central Way from Market Street to Main Street and on NE 124th Street near the North Kirkland Community Center.

Parking on Central Way will be restricted from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Friday). There will be intermittent closures of the crosswalks as they are being updated. Pedestrian detours will be in place during those crosswalk closures.

(Apr. 3, 2025) -- Construction is progressing quickly at both locations, downtown on Central Way from Market Street to Main Street and on NE 124th Street near the North Kirkland Community Center.

(Mar. 27, 2025) -- Construction is progressing on the two HAWK signals on NE 124th Street near the North Kirkland Community Center and Park. The signal poles are being built at the first locations in Kirkland for HAWK signals. There will be intermittent closures of the crosswalks as they are being updated, pedestrian detours will be in place during those closures.

Work also began downtown on Central Way this week from Market Street to Main Street. Parking on Central Way will be restricted when the contractor is working on the medians between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be intermittent closures of the crosswalks as they are being updated, pedestrian detours will be in place during those closures.

(Mar. 17, 2025) --Construction is progressing on the two HAWK signals on NE 124th Street near the North Kirkland Community Center and Park. Work is expected to begin on Central Way downtown on Wednesday, March 17. Parking on Central Way will be restricted when the contractor is working on the medians between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be intermittent closures of the crosswalks as they are being updated, pedestrian detours will be in place during those closures.

(Mar. 14, 2025) --Construction has begun for the HAWK signals on NE 124th Street near the North Kirkland Community Center and Park. Work is expected to begin on Central Way downtown in late-March. Parking on Central Way will be restricted when the contractor is working on the medians between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be intermittent closures of the crosswalks as they are being updated, pedestrian detours will be in place during those closures.

(Feb. 28, 2025) -- Construction mobilization has begun for the HAWK signals on NE 124th Street near the North Kirkland Community Center and Park. Work is expected on Central Way downtown in a few weeks.

(Jan. 22, 2025)-- Construction is expected to begin on Monday, February 3 on NE 124th Street.