Closure of Cross Kirkland Corridor at NE 85th Street Begins July 18

Published on July 17, 2025

Media Contact
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov

The City of Kirkland has begun construction on the NE 85th Street Shared-use Pathway Project, which will connect Kirkland's downtown to the new Bus Rapid Transit interchange on I-405.  Work on this project will result in a temporary, long-term closure of a section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail beginning July 18, 2025.  The closure is necessary to facilitate construction of a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge above the trail adjacent to Northeast 85th Street. The closed segment of trail will be from Northeast 85th Street to Northeast 87th Street.

Funded primarily by Sound Transit and managed by the City of Kirkland Public Works, the Project will create a multimodal connection between downtown Kirkland and the future I-405/Northeast 85th Street Bus Rapid Transit and King County Metro K-Line stations. The new pathway will provide a safer and more accessible route for cyclists and pedestrians, giving them direct access to regional transit.

The trail closure is expected until spring 2026. During this time, trail users will be directed to one of two posted detour routes:

• A shorter, non-ADA compliant detour (0.3-mile detour) via NE 87th Street and 114th Ave NE with a steep trail segment to return to the Cross Kirkland Corridor
• An ADA compliant detour (0.8-mile detour) via 6th Street South, 6th Street, and 7th Avenue using sidewalks and crosswalks, bike lanes and sharrows.

The NE 85th Street Shared-use Pathway Project is a key component of Kirkland’s long-term vision for sustainable transportation and connectivity with a thriving Rose Hill Station Area. Once completed, the pathway will feature street trees, pedestrian lighting, stormwater facilities and enhanced access to surrounding neighborhoods.

For construction updates and detour maps, visit the City of Kirkland’s project page.