Redmond Technology Bridge Opens, Ribbon Cutting

 

From left to right: Redmond City Council Vice President Jessica Forsythe, Redmond City Councilmember Melissa Stuart, Former Redmond Mayor John Marchione, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Microsoft Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Vice President Alice Jolla, Redmond Mayor Angela Birney, Redmond City Council President Vanessa Kritzer, Redmond City Councilmember Osman Salahuddin, and King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Member Claudia Balducci.

New Redmond Technology Station Bridge Opens

REDMOND, WA - This morning, the City of Redmond, Sound Transit, and Microsoft celebrated the opening of the new Redmond Technology Station Bridge with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The bridge connects to Sound Transit’s Redmond Technology light rail station, the SR 520 transit flyer stop, a regional bike trail, and Microsoft’s west and east campuses. It also provides an east-west trail connection across SR 520, that will alleviate traffic congestion, enhance safety, and improve accessibility for thousands of residents and commuters daily.

“This bridge will be a great benefit to the community and connect us in a number of sustainable ways, with lanes for those who want to walk and ride their bikes,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “It is thanks to our partnerships with Microsoft, Sound Transit, and WSDOT, that we have this new, not only functional, but beautiful connection to enjoy.”

The design of the bridge is the result of meticulous and innovative planning, as well as the unique efforts between Sound Transit, City of Redmond, and Microsoft. The bridge was designed by AECOM and engineered by Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc., and features functional canopies, landscaped planters with native plants, and benches to enhance the user experience.

“The Redmond Technology Station will be a hub for transit passengers and Microsoft workers throughout the Eastside,” said King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dow Constantine. “Thanks to the collaboration of our project partners, we’re expanding transit for a more connected Puget Sound region.”

"With light rail service only days away, opening this bike and pedestrian bridge will safely connect transit passengers from the Redmond Technology Station to Microsoft, the SR 520 Trail, and more, providing yet another link to our growing light rail system,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “This connection is the result of years-long collaboration between Sound Transit, WSDOT, Microsoft, and the City of Redmond and is an integral piece of building an interconnected transit system that makes multimodal travel easy, safe, and seamless.” 

“Today’s grand opening is an important milestone in the effort to create a multimodal transportation system that supports the region's economy and quality of life,” said Alice Jolla, chief accounting officer and corporate vice president at Microsoft. “This bridge is a symbol of Microsoft’s commitment to our local community, and we’re grateful for the collaboration with the City of Redmond, Sound Transit, and Washington State Department of Transportation.”

The bridge opening aligns with opening week of the initial segment of the 2 Line, with those celebrations planned for Saturday, April 27. For more information about the light rail opening visit soundtransit.org/Discover2Line.

Celebrate The Launch of Light Rail In Redmond April 27

 

Sound Transit 2 Line Grand Opening Discover the 2Line starting at Redmond Technology Center Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Join community hosts OneRedmond and Centro Cultural Mexicano and bring the family out to celebrate this regional milestone at the Redmond Technology Center as the Sound Transit 2 Line embarks on its inaugural journey! Join us for live music and cultural performances, complimentary tastes, photo-ops with popular video game characters, community information booths, and to be one of the first to ride the 2 Line!

Click image for a Station map

Expedite your first ride by getting an ORCA card here. Low-income households and seniors may qualify for reduced fares by applying online ahead of time for an ORCA LIFT card here. Children 18 and under ride for free! -- posted by Yoder

Light Rail Service, Bellevue To Redmond Begins April 27

In August 2023, the Sound Transit Board voted for a phased approach to opening the East Link Extension, beginning with service between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology stations on April 27, 2024.  Ribbon cutting date unknown at this time.  

The 2 Line, which is not affected by quality issues related to construction, will open ahead of the I-90 segment.

The remainder of East Link, that crosses I-90 and includes Judkins Park and Mercer Island Stations is expected to open in 2025.

Opening Day of the Overlake Village Pedestrian Bridge

 City of Redmond and Sound Transit Celebrate Opening of Overlake Village Pedestrian Bridge

From left to right: City Council Vice President Jessica Forsythe, Sound Transit Interim CEO Goran Sparrman, City Council President Vanessa Kritzer, King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Boardmember Claudia Balducci, Mayor Angela Birney, Councilmember Melissa Stuart, and Councilmember Angie Nuevacamina.

REDMOND, WA - The City of Redmond celebrated the opening of the Overlake Village Pedestrian Bridge with a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday. This vital link connects the light rail station at Overlake Village to the 520 Bike Trail across SR 520. The $10.4 million project enhances accessibility and fosters connectivity between key transit points in Redmond.

"The Overlake Pedestrian Bridge exemplifies the successful partnership between the City of Redmond and Sound Transit,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “This project creates an important connection for our community to access transit and demonstrate our commitment to sustainable and accessible transportation.”

UPDATED 10/22: Downtown Redmond Light Rail Update

click to enlarge image

The first segment that will open is called the East Link Starter Line. It will only go from Redmond Technology Station to the South Bellevue Station. That is supposed to open in the spring of 2024. The section that will serve Marymoor Village Station and Downtown Redmond Station is supposed to open sometime in 2025. The East Link will cross Lake Washington, maybe sometime in 2025 or later.

 

Four-car trains will run every 8 minutes carrying up to 800 riders, 16 wheelchairs, 12 bicycles and multiple suitcases.  18-minutes from DT Redmond to Bellevue; 42 minutes from Bellevue to Seattle; 45 minutes to stadiums; 72 minutes to Sea-Tac Airport.  

Factoid:  Per Move Redmond, "9 out of 10 people who work in Redmond live outside the City due to the high cost of housing."

Thank you "Move Redmond" for providing these maps, information and your advocacy for transportation connectivity.  10/21/2023

Candidate Bus Ride Along Interviews

Move Redmond did a Candidate Interview Bus Ride Along with Redmond Mayoral and City Council positions who are up on the ballot. We met with candidates at the Redmond Technology station where we then got on the Rapid B line and rode to the Bellevue Transit Center.

-- Kelli Refer, Executive Director, Move Redmond

UPDATED: Mayor Angela Birney's Story / Pedestrian Safety / RCTV

I found Mayor Birney's Story on Pedestrian Safety while watching Redmond City Television (RCTV) on Comcast Channel 21.  

I'm amazed how RCTV programming has improved.  There's much more content.  Tune in at 9:00AM for a half hour of local news, grant opportunities, and tips.  

All of  Mayor Birney's 52 YouTube stories can be watched in a rolling sequence. 

posted by Bob Yoder, 10/11/2023

Light Rail Service Between Redmond and Bellevue Begins in the Spring

Service between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Station begins Spring of 2024.  Service to the Marymoor and Downtown stations are planned for 2025.

The 2 Line segment opening next spring will mean easy, traffic-free connections
to where you live, work and play!

By Brooke Belman, Deputy CEO Sound Transit

Publish Date

August 24, 2023

Today the Sound Transit Board of Directors voted for a phased approach to opening the East Link Extension, beginning with service between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology stations in spring 2024.  

As we’ve shared over the past year, delays caused by construction quality issues along the I-90 portion of the East Link Extension, which includes two more stations in Judkins Park and on Mercer Island, prompted Sound Transit’s staff and Board to reimagine our plans for beginning passenger service. We now expect to open this remaining section of the 2 Line, creating rail connections across Lake Washington, in 2025. 

After greenlighting the phased approach today, the Sound Transit Board will finalize initial 2 Line service levels later this fall, when they consider the 2024 Service Plan. The plan will also set service levels for the Lynnwood Link opening, slated for next fall.  

With the Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension opening next month and new Eastside and Snohomish County service launching next year, your light rail destinations are expanding in a big way in the near future. Here’s what we expect Sound Transit’s regional service will look like by the end of next year.

-- Sound Transit

Light Rail Graffiti

 

The light rail graffiti is adjacent Red Robin.  It's disturbing.  I've notified Mayor Birney and the code enforcement officer.  

-- Bob Yoder, 8/7/2023

"Washington Bike Law" Represents Injured Bicyclists

 Ten Bicyclists Injured on the Burke-Gilman Trail's “Missing Link"

About Washington Bike Law:

 

Washington Bike Law (WBL) represents injured bicyclists statewide and helps make our streets safer for everyone. WBL was the first law office in the nation to be honored by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bike Friendly Business. Find more at www.washingtonbikelaw.com.

Bike accidents are probable in Redmond:  1) no protected bike lanes, 2) the intersection of Redmond Way and East Lake Sammamish Blvd. is hazardous and potentially deadly.  The City of Redmond could be liable.  (B. Yoder.) 

 

SEATTLE – Ten people injured in bicycle crashes on the "Missing Link" of the Burke-Gilman Trail recently filed claims against the City of Seattle for its failure to make the existing roadway reasonably safe for ordinary travel, according to attorneys representing the individuals. The ten riders suffered varying degrees of injury ranging from contusions to broken bones to traumatic brain injury.

 

Washington Bike Law (WBL) and Schroeter Goldmark & Bender (SGB) are Seattle law firms cooperatively representing the bicyclists. “The aim of the claim notices filed today is not simply to achieve compensation for our clients’ injuries, but to prompt action by the City to prevent more people from being seriously injured by this known danger,” said SGB attorney Adam Berger.

 

The Missing Link is a 1.4-mile stretch in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood where the Burke-Gilman Trail abruptly ends, sending bicyclists onto streets that are still not reasonably safe for travel by bicycle. The ten bicyclists were all injured where many others have crashed before them: the Missing Link’s “Crash Zone,” a dangerous railroad crossing under the Ballard Bridge.

 

WBL’s Bob Anderton has represented multiple bicyclists injured in this same Crash Zone dating as far back as 2001. 

Opinion: Redmond Is Losing It's Charm; Will woonerfs Bring It Back?

Six-story Redmond Square on 166th Ave. neighborhood arterial 

"I live across from new apartments being built…more high rises , more traffic , etc etc . Too much and the charm disappears ! Redmond Downtown Park a nice meeting place and events like Redmond Lights great! But noise is increasing and traffic is worse … and charm may disappear!!"

Linda T.   11/28'2022

Source: "Friends Who Like Redmond Neighborhood Blog"

"Our small, semi-rural town. Whatever happened to the Woonerfs with which Planning Staff confronted us poor Planning Commission Schmucks for months?"  I'm tired of thinking of my time spent there.

F. W. 11/28/2022  FWLRNB

Mr. Pantly, a "green developer" of value is very pleased that his woonerf aka "living street" is the first in the city.  It's adjacent to his "micro" apartment building covered with art.  Last time I heard, Council is very excited about the prospects of a woonerf for the huge "Value Village" apartment project.  And a woonerf is planned for Redmond Square!  Trending!!  However, please know woonerfs slow traffic considerably.

-- Response by Bob Yoder, 11/28/2022

What's a wooderf?  Also known as "Living Streets."  They began in the Netherlands.  Pedestrians can use the full width of the public road; bicycling and playing is also allowed.  Drivers may not endanger pedestrians or hinder them; if necessary they must stop. Furthermore, they need to be twice as careful regarding children. Pedestrians may not obstruct traffic unnecessarily.  Speed is limited to 20 km per hour.  Parking is forbidden, except where there are visual markings.  B.Y.

This has to be one of the worst ideas that I’ve ever heard of, especially with the deplorable driving habits that have become the norm here. And have we forgotten the tragic death of the toddler a few years ago in Redmond Town Center (by a slow speed vehicle)?  -- Blog reader.

Updated: City To Apply "Slurry Seal" To Select Education Hill Roads

 FINAL REPORT:  COMPLETE DISCLOSURE, 9/12/2022

ORIGIONAL SOURCE:  CITY PROJECTS, July, 2022

180th Ct NE and NE 105th Way.   Education Hill  Call 425-556-2776 to confirm

Beginning August 19, 2022, a City of Redmond contractor will place a slurry seal on 180th Ct NE and NE 105th Way. This is a pilot project to test the effectiveness of slurry seals as a pavement maintenance technique. 

Project Overview

In Summer 2022, a City of Redmond contractor will place a slurry seal on 180th Ct NE and NE 105th Way. This is a pilot project to test the effectiveness of slurry seals as a pavement maintenance technique. 

What is a Slurry Seal?

A slurry seal is the application of a mixture of water, asphalt emulsion (mixture of asphalt and a form of soap), aggregate (very small crushed rock), and additives to an existing asphalt pavement to help the roadway last longer.

After Application

• Slurry seal is brown and sticky, and residents will not be able to drive, bike, walk or allow their pets on the street during the day of construction till the slurry seal has fully cured (will look black and dry).    
• The road’s new surface has more friction and sheds some of the larger aggregate, creating small gravel deposits on top of the new slurry seal.  Crews will sweep the streets one week after application, then again in three weeks.  Over time, the road surface will smooth out. 

ADA Curb Ramp Construction On Education Hill

 😃And I thought the work was being done here because its in the Mayor's neighborhood! 😁 

Hello Mr. Yoder, 

I’m writing in response to your question about ADA curb ramps as I serve as the City's ADA curb ramp program manager.

 

Curb ramp replacements on 166th Ave NE are part of the City’s comprehensive ADA curb ramp program. Projects in the city, including ADA curb ramp program projects, are prioritized systematically through the Capital Investment Strategy (CIS) and Capital Improvement Plans (CIP).

 

As part of the ADA curb ramp program, the City completed a curb ramp assessment in 2013 for compliance with ADA regulations. The City also gathered community input in 2019 on existing locations where curb ramps should be replaced and created a prioritized list of locations for ramp replacements. Projects under the ADA curb ramp program were prioritized based on proximity to facilities such as schools, state/local government facilities, public bus and vanpool stops, places of public accommodation, and proximity to major employment centers.

"Move Redmond" / Safe Routes To Light Rail

This is a cool video of what's to come with light rail services in Redmond!  Mayor Birney speaks, too.

This is Ride Transit Month and we at "Move Redmond"  want to get you pumped up for the East Link light rail coming to Redmond! While we don't have a set date for the Overlake Village or Redmond Technology Stations to open yet, we know that now is the time to get Light Rail ready!  "Move Redmond" has a whole campaign about safe routes to light rail, you can learn more here. 

READ MORE to learn about "protected bike lanes,"  see the Eastside Transit Map and ORCA

Light Rail Construction Impacts Redmond Natural Areas

Light rail penetrates Bear Creek forested wetlands near Overlake Urgent Care.

 

Light rail crosses a mere *3-5 feet over Bear Creek, keeping low to pass under the SR 520 ramp. Raft was for tagging salmon.

Denuded riparian trees and vegetation will be enhanced and fully restored.  

Photos by Yoder, 5/14/2022

*quote by Emily Flannigan, Senior Environmental Engineer.

Environmentally Sensitive Light Rail Construction Underway

 

Construction of the Downtown Redmond Light Rail Extension will impact a swath of trees and riparian habitat along Bear Creek in the vicinity of the Overlake Urgent Care Center west to Creekside Crossing and Redmond Center Open Space.  Clearing and grading permits are required to remove 144 trees to accommodate the rail, Bear Creek "restoration," and construction access. Most of the trees will be planted off site because they won't survive in the wetland areas. For each significant tree removed, 6 saplings will be planted; for each landmark tree removed 18 saplings will be planted. A section of Bear Creek will have to be dredged to create a "back channel" for flood control and wetland habitat. Back channels are also valuable for salmon rearing.

Overall, approximately 500 linear feet of Bear Creek will be "restored or enhanced" when all is said and done.  The Design Builder is encouraged to reuse previously removed trees for onsite habitat features. In addition, Sound Transit plans to purchase off-site wetland mitigation credits at the Keller Farm site further upstream along Bear Creek for any restoration that cannot be accommodated on-site.

All the work near Bear Creek described above is subject to review as part of the City’s shoreline and clearing and grading permits, the Army Corps and the tribes.  Construction is over 3 years out.  

  -- City Council Study Session, 5/28
      Meeting memo (map)

* In 2020 I took a tour of the site with City staff.  They said the light rail will run five feet over Bear Creek.  B.Y.  

UPDATED: Swarming e-Scooters In Redmond?

A typical downtown Spokane sidewalk. We saw one dude riding two scooters, one on each foot.

 LIME e-scooters are everywhere, everywhere in Spokane!  Most Spokane sidewalks are super-wide. You can ride them safely, very fast, and they rarely run the streets. There's plenty of space to park without obstruction to pedestrians and ADA folks.  Pam is standing in front of a restaurant with outdoor seating; we weren't bothered by one passing scooter.  Spokane's 10-12 foot sidewalks are all over the downtown...and beyond.  And, it's clear Spokane is not a bicycle city.

Now, Redmond is another story.  Land close to light rail is expensive and finite. Thus, 6-8 story buildings are crammed into our downtown, with razor thin set-backs, and narrow sidewalks.  Even bike lanes are scant.  Scooting is sketchy unless you move very slowly or take to the streets.  Owing to their versatility and our needs, scooters could one day swarm our downtown streets and roads.

-- Bob Yoder, Photo, 8/25/2021

Redmond's Downtown Rail Car Has Capacity For 800 Riders - Will Run Every Eight Minutes

Rendering of the Downtown Redmond Station

 Behind the sign two cranes are working on the Redmond light rail station / rail bed.  

"4-car" trains run every 8 minutes on weekdays.  Each "4-car" train can carry 800 riders, 16 wheelchairs, 8-12 bikes, and a desigated area for luggage.  But how will the riders and handicapped get to the station or park near it? Walk or take a LIME scooter? I think there's bus/van service but Sound Transit is silent on parking.

Travel times from Redmond:

18 minutes to Downtown Bellevue

42 minutes to Downtown Seattle

45 minutes to the Stadiums

49 minutes to University of Washington

56 minutes to Northgate

69 minutes to Lynwood

72 minutes to Sea-Tac airport

87 minutes to Federal Way

Source:  Sound Transit fact sheet, Photo, Bob Yoder, 7/9/2021

Downtown Redmond Link Extension spring 2020 design update

If you want to know about what's coming to Redmond, you've come to the right place.  

City Considers Multi-Family Housing On Avondale

Perrigo Heights wet vaults -- a different development

Next Wednesday the 16th, the Planning Commission will review a multi-family land use proposal (Pier 67) on the westside of Avondale Road, north of 104th Street. 10431 Avondale.  Besides, single family dwellings, I hear senior housing and assisted living of sorts are planned.  This excites me because it brings a diversity of economic segments and household types.  And, the land use doesn't conflict with the character of our Education Hill neighborhoods.

One of my questions is the challenge of ingress and egress at Avondale Road.  Well, I guess if other multi-family complexes can navigate Avondale Road, Pier 67 can too. It's also nice there's a bus stop at 104th and Avondale. Residents could ride scooters to the bus stop right?  

Stormwater runs off the western hills.  Of course, the city requires keeping our stormwater clean.  Thus, Pier 67 will install two "wet vaults." and maintain  a bioswale to filter dirty water before it enters Bear Creek.  Pier 67 management are good stewards of our environment.

To make this all work, and bring diversity to this part of Avondale zoning would have to change from 4-dwellings per acre to 12 (or more) dwellings per acre.  The Planning Commission is holding a HEARING, next Wednesday the 16th at 7 p.m.  They're asking for comments on zoning and the neighborhood element. 

Please email your comments to the Planning Commission at:  planningcommission@redmond.gov

The Planning Commission unanimously denied the amendment. 7/11/2021

--Bob Yoder, 6/11/2021

   Photo, Yoder