City Conducting Traffic Safety, Signal Timing, and Operational Improvement Counts This Fall

Credit C.O.R. 

To support many city activities, including traffic safety, signal timing, and operational improvements, city staff are conducting the annual fall traffic and pedestrian counts. This work will be ongoing through early December.

Learn more about this work https://redmond.gov/863/Traffic-Co

-- X, 10/3/24

unts

"Adaptive Signal Control" Optimizes Traffic Flow, Reduces Congestion

Adaptive Signal Control system

Council proposed adaptive traffic signal control system project coined "Adaptive Signal Control" for the Public Works budget. It will measure real-time traffic fluctuations and automatically adjust signal timings more efficiently than our current system. Other agencies have demonstrated substantial delay reduction, especially when conditions change unexpectedly due to weather, lane closures, or surges in demand.  The system costs about $1M; an $865,000 Puget Sound Region Council will be applied. 

The system will be capable of adjusting signal timings, and operations in real-time. This will reduce travel times through downtown and reduce wait times for pedestrians. With the arrival of light-rail in Downtown Redmond, this updated signal system will be key in responding to the change in traffic conditions expected through downtown.

Adaptive Signal Control is especially effective for roads that experience variable and unpredictable traffic demand, where conventional signal systems cannot keep up with the changing conditions. Adaptive signal control can also benefit pedestrians and active transportation modes by reducing delays and improving service. Adaptive signal control can also respond to changes in traffic patterns caused by new work commute options and the opening of transit stations, which can affect the demand for different directions and movements at intersections.

-- Council Committee Of The Whole, abridged Public works memo, 6/5/2023

One westbound lane on Redmond Way will close for month

Tomorrow, Wednesday May 18, construction will begin in the westbound lanes of Redmond Way. One westbound lane will be closed for approximately one month. Expect major delays – alternate routes are highly recommended. https://www.redmond.gov/1526 (Facebook)

Regional growth over the last ten years has caused increased traffic demand on Redmond Way and East Lake Sammamish Parkway. The signalized intersection of these two arterials experiences high traffic volumes, long queues, and delays during the peak hours. To address this, the City of Redmond is redesigning this intersection in order to improve vehicle operations, add pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to each approach, and enhance safety for all modes.

The project will realign the travel lanes around this intersection to allow better bicycle connectivity and more functional phasing operations, rebuild the traffic signal to provide better visibility to all users, and allow large trucks to have the room to turn through the intersection without traveling over adjacent lanes. 

Work will include:

• New channelization for each approach to the intersection
• Enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities
• Curb and sidewalk modifications 
• Modification to the traffic signal equipment, phasing, and timing

-- redmond.gov

OPINION: Lamenting "Redmond Square"

Sign still up during demolition, photo Yoder 8/15/2021

Below, is an old comment from a reader in response to a (2/2019) video of "Redmond Square mall" prior to demolition. 

"I've heard some say "they're trying to turn Redmond into Bellevue." That wouldn't be much of a problem if we had all the space of Bellevue. (I think Bellevue is a lovely city--it's classy, clean, safe and I haven't noticed the aggressiveness of beggars there like in Redmond.) But trying to squeeze so many high rises into our little town on a bog is an eye sore.  We're basically leveling our town and cramming everything in. When brand new, some high rises may look tidy and clean, but most of them look drab. Honestly, they remind me of Cabrini-Green projects in Chicago. :( As they age and get dirty/moldy they'll become an eyesore to many (to me they already are). And they obstruct Redmond's natural beauty and cast big shadows on an otherwise coveted sunny day. Perhaps this could alter downtown Redmond's microclimate as well. It all makes me sad."

--- Anonymous, 2/23/2019

Above, is a video I took of "Redmond Square mall" currently (7/29/2021) being demolished.  The finished product will be in a prime location next to the Downtown light rail station.  Unfortunately, owing to it's location on Cleveland, 166th & Redmond Way traffic could be a nightmare for at least two years.  Nearby businesses and apartments will have to put up with the noise.

When finished, the Redmond Square Apartments will offer 1,2,3 and 4 room apartments, rooftop activities and many other amenities.  Legacy Partners partnered with a Chinese corporation to develop the project.  

-- Bob Yoder, 8/1/2021.

    Photo, Videos, Yoder 

Redmond's Design Review Board video (above) shows a wide pedestrian plaza, the narrow street, landscaping and significant use of brick. Below are additional details. Some parking will be available but I'm afraid not much.  Light rail, bikes, walking, scooters, and remote are the ticket.

 New 6 story buildings with approximately 623 dwelling units split by a narrow street (woonerf.) The project will redevelop the block bounded by Cleveland Street on the south, Redmond Way to the north, 166th Avenue NE on the east. The overall site is Redmond Square - LAND-2021-00220 2 | The site is approximately 3.47 acres.   Approximately 30,120 square feet of commercial space is  proposed at the street level along Redmond Way, Cleveland Street and 166th Avenue NE. The southern portion of the property will be separated by a Boundary Line Adjustment for future development.  (Design Review Board, 5/28/2021)

Construction of Redmond Technology Station parking garage underway

Credit/ Ryan Bianchi 

A December photo of construction for the future parking garage at the Redmond Technology transit station.  

-- Ryan Bianchi, Community Outreach Specialist for Sound Transit 
   Source:  East Link Light Rail

Council considers new street grid on Redmond Way

Looking north from Redmond Center parking lot -
future 158th Ave. NE extension here. Soulfood is on left

The City of Redmond and the owners (Nelsons) of Redmond Center wish to enter into a Development Agreement for improvements to the extension of 158th Avenue NE from NE 83rd Street to the intersection of Redmond Way, and to clarify the obligations and requirements for utility services for future developments of the multiple parcels at Redmond Center.

In August 2013, City Council adopted the 2013 Transportation Master Plan and directed the Administration to pursue the completion of the downtown street grid.  One of these streets is 158th Avenue NE, which currently terminates at the existing parking lot of the Redmond Center shopping center near Ben Franklin. 

As of 2018, the acquisition and improvement of the 158th Avenue NE extension is an unfunded project in the Redmond Transportation Master Plan. The property owners (Nelsons) of Redmond Center have agreed to dedicate the future extension of 158th Avenue NE at no cost to the City. This Development Agreement does not waive the Redmond Center Owner’s obligations to comply with City regulations or development standards that are applicable today or for future redevelopment of Redmond Center.

Source:  Council Committee memo, 1/8/19

The new southern extension of 158th Avenue would tunnel under the Redmond Central Connector to Redmond Way.  The new grid would allow residents living in the massive "Bear Creek" apartment complex, Heron complex and other nearby apartment complexes much better access to Redmond Center services e.g QFC, Staples, etc. Some speculate the entire shopping center will one day be redeveloped.  Opinion Bob Yoder  

UPDATED: Marymoor Village projects - "cool and eclectic"

"LMC-Marymoor" 5-6 story, 433 residential units, 6-story 41,500 commercial space and *524 parking stalls
  completion 2022.  It sits in a 4.9 acre parcel with plenty of room for additional development.  

"Alexan Marymoor" - 221 multi-family residences, 257 parking stalls, 5-story, 3.7 acre with plenty of room for growth.  

According to Ms. Dietz, a City planner: 

"Redmond’s community evolution is successfully weaving the small town feel of older, established neighborhoods with the energy and vitality of Redmond’s two main urban centers, Downtown and Overlake. We are now planning for the next stage of transformation in SE Redmond- known as Marymoor Village. 

"A major goal of the City is that this neighborhood be encouraged to transform, over time, into a cool/eclectic neighborhood – with a cool/eclectic identity. As such, and because LMC-Marymoor may be the first development in the neighborhood, the design of this development will set a tone and stage for future development."

Marymoor Village (map and Design Review Board memo) is currently a diverse mosaic of manufacturing, education, distribution industrial, and religious uses. Although Marymoor Village is not envisioned to become an urban center like Downtown and Overlake, it will begin to feature additional and more diverse uses and buildings than currently present. Much like a small urban village, the area already offers many options but needs to prepare for a light rail station and accompanying interest in transit-oriented development.

The vision is for Marymoor Village to be a more walkable place that features opportunities for nearby living, employment, gathering, education, shopping, and rapid transit connections to Redmond and central Puget Sound. 

The future light rail station is a large part of the Marymoor Village vision. The station will be at grade and located adjacent to Marymoor Park and SR-520 near the west end of NE 70th St, close to multiple regional trails. In keeping with Redmond’s focus for a neighborhood feel, the city is working with Sound Transit to accommodate the 1,400 planned parking stalls in two separate garages in order to reduce the scale of the parking structures. For more information on the future of light rail in Redmond, visit redmond.gov/LightRailExtension or soundtransit.org/RedmondLink.

*The LMC-Marymoor proposal is for 524 total parking stalls. The majority of the parking will be in 1-story underground structure that spans the footprint of the site. 45 of those stalls are in an above ground structure in the center of one of the buildings (wrapped with retail and residential).  Gary Lee, city planner.

For more information contact Kim Dietz, city planner k.dietz@redmond.gov

Source:  redmond.gov

Updated: Sound Transit: Another Record-Breaking Year for Ridership

The East Link of Light Rail is targeted for the Overlake Urban Center in five years!
The East Link of Light Rail is targeted for Downtown Redmond within 5-6 years!

The 4th Quarter ridership numbers were released today along with the 2017 year-end numbers for Link, Sounder, ST Express and Tacoma Link. The year-end ridership report adds another data point to mirror widespread news of how our region leads the nation in transit ridership growth. 

Overall Sound Transit carried folks on 47,031,129 trips last year, a 10 percent increase over 2016. Here's the breakdown by mode: 

• Link light rail - 23,186,633 
• ST Express bus - 18,373581
• Sounder - 4,438,374 
• Tacoma Link - 972,405  
• Paratransit - 60,136 

The largest growth was on Link with 22 percent growth over 2016. Last year was the first full year of service since new stations opened at the University of Washington, Capitol Hill and Angle Lake. We also started running more 3-car trains last summer to meet the booming demand. 

Here's a quick video clip showing just how effective Link light rail has become at moving masses of people. It's footage of trains clearing the southbound platform at Westlake Station in downtown Seattle after the Women's March on Jan. 20 of this year.

OPINION: The Redevelopment of Sears Plaza is Something to Ponder

"Redmond is growing faster than many of us imagine, especially in the Overlake Urban Center.  A 14-acre Urban Village coined "Seritage"  will transform  Sears Plaza into office space, a hotel,  residential, commercial, retail and a large park.  High rise buildings are a possibility.  

Click this link to discover the magnitude of this village:   https://www.redmond.gov/595/Seritage

·       The buildings will reach 9 stories and  include both commercial space, hotel and residential units. 

·         When built, the project will generate over 13,000 vehicular trips a day. Currently planned, the developer-funded road improvements are minimal, in fact the traffic study states traffic will improve when the project is completed. The cities of Redmond and Bellevue will bear the burden of road improvements as part of their infrastructure plans)

·         There will be 2,300 parking stalls (vs. around 1,000 today). 

·         There is an already approved project next door (KCC Limited Edition) that will result in 885 homes, 173,000 square feet of office, 28,000 square feet of retail, an 80-room hotel. Adding new, larger project to the area will likely multiply the impacts of this development.

If any of the design assumptions on the project are not correct, it is likely that the traffic gridlock in the area will intensify. The best way to influence the project is to get informed and provide comments to the city either at the meeting or via email. After all, there are 10,000 of us in Overlake today (in Bellevue and Redmond both) and many have a perspective on proposed development and its impacts.

Cleveland Street two-way traffic expected soon -- candidate websites

Redmond  Way & 166th Ave NE Credit, Bob Yoder Council candidate comments on traffic are footnoted below Redmond, WA – The much-anticipated conversion to two-way travel on Downtown Redmond’s Cleveland Street and Redmond Way begins soon. Cleveland Street’s two-way travel is expected to start on Friday, September 8 and Redmond Way will follow on Tuesday, October 10. These dates are approximate and are subject to change due to unanticipated changes in weather or construction delays. The full project is expected to be complete by the end of the year. During this conversion, drivers should be alert, aware of traffic rerouting, and ongoing work by private developers. The work already completed at the eleven intersections includes utility improvements, new traffic signals, lighting, paving and sidewalk improvements, the addition of plazas near Anderson Park and much more. Cleveland Street is now Redmond’s signature “main street” with wide sidewalks inviting pedestrians and encouraging outdoor dining while Redmond Way will carry the majority of traffic as the main arterial through Downtown. Bear Creek Parkway and SR520 offer options for drivers who choose to bypass Downtown and the Redmond Central Connector urban trail provides a beautiful and quieter choice for bicyclists and pedestrians. These options, paired with the previous street connections at 161st Avenue NE and 164th Avenue NE, complete the City’s planned transportation grid in Downtown Redmond. Ongoing construction by private developers on the north side of Redmond Way will continue. Developers investing in the City of Redmond will be building the second westbound lane of Redmond Way east of 164th Avenue, improving remaining sidewalks and parking areas as well as completing frontage improvements.  Source: Lisa Mayer,  redmond.gov I scoured the Council candidate websites to find their positions on traffic: Steve Fields, Position 2:  Byron Shutz, Position 2 Jeralee Anderson, Position 6 Jason Antonelli, Position 6  Tanika Padhye, Position 4  Eugene Zakhareev, Position 4 Bob Y.

ATTN: Neighboring Cities: Cleveland Street conversion update

Cleveland Street construction to convert to 2-way lanes.  Expected completion is end of 2017 according to the Mayor.  Suggest taking the Bear Creek Parkway whenever possible.  I took this video Saturday early morning when traffic was light. Traffic is nasty during the weekdays.

Redmond Way construction isn't so good either -- this video shows it (and 6-story rental construction.)

OPINION: Avodale Crest Development on 104th Approved by City - A Neighborhood Traffic Hazard



The sight distance downhill is only 209 feet - far too little for drivers heading downhill to have time to stop.  That's why they had the no left turn provision in the first place.  It was the City of Redmond, not the developer, that pushed for the left turns into and out of the development.

UPDATED:   Avondale Crest Development was approved by the City on October 5 and is currently under appeal by Susan Wilkins. 

DEVELOPMENT IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO DRIVERS ON EDUCATION HILL

No access from Avondale Road

By Susan Wilkins

Education Hill, Redmond

OPINION:  When the Avondale Crest housing development was first proposed in 2005, the City of Redmond told the developer that access to the site had to be along NE 104^th Street even though the 2.85-acre property also bordered Avondale Road. (RCDG 20D.210.20-080*) The slope of the hillside created blind spots for drivers along NE 104^th Street so the original plan prohibited traffic coming down the hill from stopping and turning left into the new development. It also allowed only right turns for cars leaving the development – no left turns out of the development were allowed. (See the attached site map.) Even with the turning restrictions, more than 25 residents wrote to the city expressing concern and even alarm at the proposed site entrance because it was in a blind spot on the hill.

(Note: When a housing development is created from a larger lot or group of lots, there are two parts: the PLAT and the PRD (Planned Residential Development). The PLAT subdivides the land into smaller residential lots with the necessary street(s) and lot boundary lines. The PRD defines the requirements within the new neighborhood including house sizes, sewer lines, street lights, tree retention, open space requirements, etc. Plats and PRDs are usually designed and developed simultaneously and depend on each other - as was the case with Avondale Crest.)

When the Avondale Crest PLAT was issued on October 17, 2006, it required the installation of a fixed radar system on eastbound NE 104^th Street and it also required a Stopping Sight Distance of 450 feet along NE 104^th Street meaning that cars traveling down the hill should be able to see the entrance to Avondale Crest from 450 feet uphill. The restriction on left turns into and out of the development had disappeared.

I appealed the Plat and a hearing was held on December 11, 2006. I presented photos showing that it was impossible to see cars turning into the Avondale Crest development from 400 feet uphill because the road bends while dropping vertically. I argued that the lack of visibility of cars stopped down-slope on NE 104^th Street would create a dangerous rear-end collision hazard. The traffic engineer and the planner for the City argued that because the fixed radar system would be installed to slow cars down to 25 mph, the 450-foot sight distance had been mitigated. The Hearing examiner sided with the City and approved the PRD and denied my PLAT appeal. I appealed to the City Council asking that the restriction on the NO LEFT TURN INTO AND OUT OF THE DEVELOPMENT be reinstated. Redmond City Council declined to add that requirement although they left open the possibility of requiring it later.

The fixed radar system was installed in early 2012 and data recorded by the system shows that fewer than 25% of cars are traveling along at the posted speed limit of 25 mph and more than 5% travel at least 10 miles over the speed limit. The data also shows that the number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit has steadily increased indicating that almost all drivers have started to ignore the fixed radar system altogether. I have often driven behind cars that the system recorded at 40+ mph - which is too fast to stop for turning traffic at Avondale Crest.

The Avondale Crest Plat that was approved in 2007 finally expired this past spring (after the City had granted multiple extensions.) Prime Pacific Bank that acquired the property when the developer went bankrupt decided that they would act as a developer and reapplied for plat approval. Instead of re-evaluating the project with the new data from the fixed radar system – and requiring that the developer add turning restrictions on NE 104^th Street, the City instead approved the plat. The previous 450-foot stopping sight distance from the Redmond Municipal Code was no longer used and instead the planning staff used a new sight distance calculation from the new Redmond Zoning Code that seems to have far shorter sight distances and stopping requirements.

We now have a fixed radar system that actually tells us that cars are going too fast down NE 104^th Street to stop for turning traffic at the proposed Avondale Crest intersection. It is obvious in 2006 when the project was originally approved that the entrance to the development was difficult to see and extremely dangerous. The proposed intersection is currently marked with orange tape and chalk. Can you see the entrance when you drive down the hill? Will you be able to stop for turning cars or crossing pedestrians? Are you afraid that you’ll be in an accident at this intersection? I am.

What should be done? The Redmond City Council should vote to amend the Avondale Crest PRD – an amendment that they specifically agreed to consider in the future when they approved the PRD. They should do it now.

-------

*During the past decade, the City of Redmond has allowed 3 other corner developments (PCC Market, Fairwinds Retirement Center and Aegis Living) to have direct access onto Avondale Road so it’s not clear why Avondale Crest was not allowed to have an exit and entrance onto Avondale, especially considering the acute danger presented by the sight distance limitations on the steep hill.

"Avondale Crest" subdivision on hilly 104th gets another life

As you drive down to the bottom of NE 104th Street near Avondale Road, just past Abbott and Laura's neighborhood garden you may notice that the Avondale Crest short plat land use project is up for review once again!   Nine single family homes are planned (2700 - 4000 sf) on lots ranging from 4000 to 9000 sf.  

According to Redmond resident, Susan Wilkins, "the original 2005 Avondale Crest project expired in March 2012 so Prime Pacific Bank appealed to the City Hearing Examiner in August to reinstate the project."   

Ms. Wilkins appealed the original project a few years back owing to dangerous egress and ingress at the curved, hilly NE 104th entrance to the project.  She is warning the city now that, "104th is routinely closed by snow so residents will be stuck for days if they don't have direct access to Avondale."    

The plat, once called Avondale Villas, was earlier approved for only eight single family homes; it's been upped to nine under the new proposal.  The project road off of 104th rests on a steep slope and second geologic hazard report is required; as is a noise study.  A new traffic study isn't required. 

The original land use was revised to require a speed-feedback radar sign  to slow traffic coming down windy, hilly 104th.  According to a city traffic manager, the developer had to pay a portion of the installation cost.  The radar sign was installed earlier this year - proactively?   

It's too late to formally comment on the new project but the City Planner Thara Johnson welcomes comments or questions on the appeal process.  Her email is:  tmjohnson@redmond.gov.  Phone:  425-556-2470.   

Reported By Bob Yoder

OPINION: MORE BUSSES ARE NEEDED FOR REDMOND HIGH SCHOOL

"New Walk Area Boundary" is in blue. (Click to enlarge)

MORE BUSSES ARE NEEDED AT REDMOND HIGH SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS WHO WALK MORE THAN ONE MILE TO SCHOOL 

By Susan Wilkins
Redmond, WA. 

When Redmond High School opened this September with 2000 students and staff, only 8 busses were provided for the entire school – enough seats for about 400 students to ride to and from school. 

In September, 500 additional ninth graders arrived at Redmond High as part of the 9-12 grade conversion. The brand new 14-classroom south wing and auxiliary gym were also opened for the first time.  Redmond High School is now one of the largest high schools in Washington State with almost 2000 students and 160 teachers and staff.  Before final construction plans were approved by the Redmond City Council, the project went through a series of reviews and hearings where such issues as severe traffic back-ups, noise, overcrowding in the halls and lunchroom, and even inadequate locker counts were considered. 

A major issue that was raised with the city Hearing Examiner in May 2011 and at the final approval hearing held by Redmond City Council in July 2011 was the change in state law (28A.160.160 RCW) that would allow school districts to be reimbursed by the state for transporting students who had to walk more than a mile to school. Prior to the change in the law, funding for school bus transportation had been limited to students who lived outside a 1-mile radius from the school meaning that many students who had long walks to school because of steep slopes, winding roads and other geographic features were not provided bus service and instead ended up driving or being driven to school.   The State Legislature amended the 1-mile radius requirement and instead created the definition of a “1-mile walk route” meaning that any student who had to walk more than 1 mile to school would be eligible for state transportation funding.   

Under the 1-mile radius rule, students living along Avondale Road, 166^th Avenue NE and on the north and south sides of the NE 116^th Street corridor were not eligible for school bus transportation even though most would have walked 2 to 3 miles to get to school by following the existing roadways.  With the creation of the “1-mile walk area” hundreds of RHS students became eligible for bus transportation funding from the state.  The catch is that although the state will provide funding, the local school districts are not required to provide bus transportation except to students with special needs. 

READ MORE >> 

REPUBLISHED: Underground Stormwater vaults the size of two City Halls are an option for Overlake.

This piece was written in 2009 and republished 720/2012 for your interest.  Details to follow here on it's slated development on the Eastern parking lots of Sears...

Underground Stormwater Treatment Vaults the size of two (2) underground City Halls are planned for Overlake Urban Center.

JULY 7, 2009    The Planning Commission is currently studying the second phase of the Overlake Urban Center Plan. 5,000 residents are expected to move into the Overlake center, many of them Microsoft workers. A proposed Group Health Tower (~10 stories) will anchor the Center. A light rail transit center is planned. The 36th Street Bridge is under construction.

On July 2, 2009 the Parks and Trails Commissioners listened to stormwater presentations for the Overlake Center, by senior stormwater engineer Steve Hitch and OTAK Consultants. All the new roads, buildings and other impervious surfaces will produce dirty stormwater. The runoff will contain oils, sediment, and chemicals that must be treated before it's discharged into streams. The underground "concrete box" (vault) appeared a recommended treatment of choice compared to open ponds. However, today Mr. Hitch commented that "vaults are very costly, and they hide the water, so open facilities are a good alternative."

Open ponds, rain gardens, plazas, walkways, trails, and other Overlake Village design features will be displayed during a public workshop and presentation. See you Thursday, August 6, 2009 5-8pm at the Silver Cloud Hotel, 2122 152nd Ave. NE, Redmond, WA. Overlake Room.

The underground vault(s) are large, equal in size to two (2) underground City Halls! That's correct, two City Halls.  The vaults have many advantages. They will free up 3-4 acres of Open Space. A park-like atmosphere can be designed for the community to embrace. Trails, sidewalks, bike trails, plazas, and other connections can be installed right on top of the vault lid. However, the top priority for it's use remains a stormwater facility.

After the stormwater is treated in the massive vaults, it is discharged into Kelsey Creek, travels to the Mercer Slough and falls out into the East Channel of Lake Washington at 1-90. The City of Redmond is partnering with Bellevue on the route.

The closest I can come to an example of what a large underground vault looks like is this photo. This vault is located on Camwest's 32 -lot Perrigo Heights development. It's the size of "a pin" compared to the proposed Overlake Urban Center's vaults. Camwest's lid top is only about 30 x 60 feet. The Camwest HOA doesn't appear to be using the lid for resident activity, at this time. Treated stormwater from the vault by-passes Hartman wetlands and is discharged into Perrigo Creek, a tributary of Bear Creek.

My primary source for this entry are the audio-tapes from the Redmond Parks & Trails Commission meeting of July 2, 2009 CONTACTS: shitch@redmond.gov (on stormwater vaults) and tmarpert@redmond.gov (on Overlake Urban Center).

Overlake Village Urban Center & Kelsey Creek Watershed GOOGLE DOC LINK.
Your comments and feedback are welcome! It's hard to believe, isn't it?

Woman crashed car into bear on the Plateau May 24th

This isn't the bear that got hit and it
wasn't taken in Sammamish (see below)

Woman crashes car into bear in Sammamish

A woman crashed her car into a bear at SE 8th Street in Sammamish on Thursday morning.

"The driver was obviously a bit shaken up, but uninjured. And she saw the bear scoot off into the woods," says Sammamish Police Sgt. Jessica Sullivan.

While neither the driver nor the bear were injured, the car was wrecked after the crash.

"There was front-end damage to the vehicle, such that it's not drivable," says Sgt. Sullivan.

In the springtime, it's common for large animals like bears and cougars to wander into suburban areas.
Bears look for food in trash cans near houses after they wake up from hibernating. Most of the time the bears don't pose a threat to humans.

"We have bear sightings fairly frequently in the city this time of year, but car-versus-bear accidents are a bit more uncommon," says Sgt. Sullivan.

Witnesses say the bear was able to run into the woods after the crash and didn't seem to be injured.

Jillian Raftery,  MyNorthwest.com Editor

Photo Source:  Google Images "on Honolulu Avenue" / this bear photo was not taken in Sammamish



To Twitter local news to MyNorthwest.com twit:  https://twitter.com/#!/mynorthwest

166th Ave. repair and restoration scheduled for Spring

NE 166th Ave near Redmond Way

 From the desk of Micheal Haley, P.E., Senior Project Manager, Public Works..

February 22, 2012

"The Downtown Stormwater Trunk project contractor is actively installing new stormwater pipe on 166th Ave NE and at 170th Ave NE and Avondale Way. The work is occurring at night and that may explain why you have not observed much activity of late.

Much of the restoration and repair will involve "a pavement grind" and overlay of the asphalt roadway damaged by installation."  Read More >>

According to Mr Haley, installation of stormwater pipeline along 170th Ave. is scheduled for completion before 166th Ave.  "The current schedule shows that we will complete restoration and repair of 166th Ave. NE this early spring  after all the new stormwater pipe has been installed."

Haley says this sort of restoration and road repair activity is "the last major item of work for the contractor and is somewhat weather dependent. These factors make it difficult to predict the exact date of the repair to 166th Ave NE but rest assured the repair will be accomplished before the project is complete."

Michael Haley, P.E.
mhaley@redmond.gov

Comment:    ROAD GRINDING IS UNDERWAY, 4/26/12.  I'm not sure why completing the less traveled 170th Ave. takes precedence over 166th Ave. our primary arteriole to Education Hill and North Redmond. B.Y.  Comment? 

Topped Cottonwood Trees on 90th Street NE almost make you gag

Topped Cottonwoods - "roadside attraction" on NE 90th Street

OPINION:  Last year, the city Council designated Cottonwoods as urban "garbage trees" because they crack open sidewalks, drop debris and the white cotton puffs blow around.  In 2011, the City ripped out all the Cottonwoods along southern NE 90th and replaced them with "street trees" and new sidewalk.  It looks pretty good.

The problem is they girdled and  topped these Cottonwoods growing in a stormwater facility further down the road.  Wildlife habitat is abundant here.  I just about gag everytime I have to pass them.  Anyone driving to Comcast, the Eastside Gym, Vertical Club, or any number of office buildings has to look at it. 

The City is setting a painful example to citizenry and students of what NOT to do with  trees.  Comments? 

By Bob Yoder
Photo by Yoder

State Supreme Court rules that Local voters can't ban red-light cameras

Redmond councilmembers Cole, Margeson
and Stilin review citations during
the Red Light Safety Pilot Program.

State Supreme Court: Local voters can’t ban red-light cameras

Posted by Emily Heffter
"Seattle Times," Local News, March 8, 2012 at 11:06 AM

(Updated with Eyman’s comments.)

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that a 2010 Mukilteo ballot initiative banning red-light cameras is invalid.

The long-awaited ruling means initiative efforts in other cities around the state, including Longview, Bellingham, Monroe, Redmond and Wenatchee, are also invalid.


It’s a big loss for initiative king Tim Eyman, who had adopted the cause of banning the cameras and helped people in cities across the state fight to have them banned.  Read More >>

OPINION: "Avondale Villas" development calmed by speed feedback safety sign.

Orange tape marks the width and entrance to Avondale Crest's (Villa) road from NE 104th, photo (2007). 

This car didn't slow down and is already out of sight.

Avondale Villas development pays $12,000 towards cost of radar speed feedback sign on 104th - for traffic calming.

OPINION:  Have you noticed the new “radar feedback sign” on the NE 104th Street hill, just above the 184th Ave. NE intersection? It’s hard to believe the speed limit is 25 mph on this highly traveled arteriole.. Most cars, some of them students, zoom down the curved hill at 40 mph.

Since the radar sign was installed most cars are slowing down before they get to 184th, but not all. (Many thanks to the 6,000 citizens petitioning to eliminate red-light cameras.)

According to a Public Works planner, “the $30,000+ radar sign” wasn't just installed for traffic calming for the 184th intersection. The city required the sign as a condition for the project's approval.  This controversial 9-lot residential development was called “Avondale Crest.” (re-named Avondale Villas.) City Council approved the plat (6-1, Allen) after an appeal was defeated 4-3. 

Two project defects delayed permitting and is holding up the sale of Avondale Crest (Villas): Read More >>