CKC Closure to Support King County Eastside Interceptor Repair Project

The City of Kirkland has been supporting King County’s urgent repair of the Eastside Interceptor (ESI), a large regional wastewater pipeline that runs along the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC). A section of the pipeline had developed leaks and structural issues that required immediate attention to protect public health, the environment, and community infrastructure.

Per King County's project website, repairs to the ESI 14 pipe that runs under the CKC Trail are complete. The CKC trail between NE 52nd Street and 108th Avenue NE has been reopened. 

Although the pipe repairs are complete, crews will return this summer to stabilize and repair a rockery wall and culvert located beneath King County’s pipe. This work will provide long-term protection for the repaired pipe and trail.

To support this work, the existing 3,000-foot temporary above-ground sewer pipe and the excavated access points will remain on the west side of the trail. Until the summer construction begins, the access points will be covered with steel plates and fenced off.  

During the repair work this summer, the CKC Trail section between NE 52nd Street and 108th Avenue NE will be closed. Tree planting and equipment removal will take place after the culvert repairs are complete. We will keep you updated as repair planning progresses.

Why did this work happen?

City water quality testing in 2024 revealed elevated bacteria levels in Houghton B1 Stream. Further investigation confirmed that the source was a leak in the Eastside Interceptor. King County engineers also found a sag in the ESI pipe that increases the risk of structural failure. If left unaddressed, the pipeline could have failed, leading to uncontrolled wastewater reaching Lake Washington.

To prevent this, King County Wastewater Treatment Division undertook emergency repairs. The City issued an Emergency Proclamation to provide flexibility and ensure swift action in response to King County’s declaration of urgency.

What the project involved

The project included:

• Installing a temporary above-ground bypass pipeline along the CKC to divert wastewater while repairs are made.
• Repairing up to six pipe joints in the sagging section of the ESI.
• Coordinating additional work to stabilize nearby slopes and repair a City-owned piped stream culvert.

Staying informed

King County was the lead on repairing the pipe in close coordination with the City of Kirkland. More information about King County’s Eastside Interceptor project can be found on King County's project webpage. If you have any questions, please reach out to Emanuel da Silva (mano) at King County by calling 206-406-3058 or emailing mdasilva@kingcounty.gov.