City Breaks Ground on NE 85th Street Shared-Use Pathway Project
Published on July 25, 2025
Media Contact:
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov
The City of Kirkland and Sound Transit kicked off a much-anticipated walking and bicycling project with a recent groundbreaking ceremony near Northeast 85th Street. The project marks a key step toward improving mobility and creating stronger connections between neighborhoods and transit.
“This shared path will close the accessibility gap between downtown Kirkland and Sound Transit’s new 405 Bus Rapid Transit station,” said Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold during the July 8th ceremony. “Today’s event marks a significant milestone in the ongoing creation of the 85th Street Station Area. By connecting the heart of Kirkland to Rose Hill and what will be a thriving, walkable, and rollable new district, we are entering into the next chapter with housing, shops, and services nearby, all connected to transit.”
Funded primarily by Sound Transit’s ST3 expansion, the half-mile ADA compliant pathway will run along the south side of NE 85th Street between Sixth Street and Kirkland Way. The path will provide a safe and efficient pathway for pedestrians and cyclists to directly access transit and give transit riders access to Kirkland’s downtown district.
The route also connects to the South Rose Hill and Bridle Trails neighborhoods via the Northeast 80th Street pedestrian bridge over Interstate 405 and the North Rose Hill Neighborhood via the Northeast 100th Street Pedestrian Bridge over Interstate 405.
Project Features:
- 12’+ wide ADA compliant pathway
- Pedestrian bridge over the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail
- Pedestrian lighting for safety and visibility
- Stormwater detention vault to manage runoff
Deputy Mayor Arnold was joined at the event by Councilmembers Black, Falcone, and Pascal, and Sound Transit’s Strategic Project Director for Bus Rapid Transit Paul Cornish.
Construction is expected to be completed in spring of 2026.