A two-mile long stretch of the Burke-Gilman Trail will be closed for construction beginning June 15, from Northeast 145th Street to Log Boom Park in Kenmore, to improve public safety along the oldest and narrowest stretch of the trail near Lake Forest Park.

“We are working with the contractor to ensure that the project is completed quickly and the trail is reopened as soon as possible,” said Kevin Brown, King County Parks Director. “Closing the trail to all users is unavoidable, but the work will result in a better and safer trail.”

The redevelopment project will improve trail safety with a new, 12-foot-wide asphalt surface and soft-surface shoulders, enhanced traffic controls, improved sight distances and better drainage. This portion of the trail currently has cracked and uneven asphalt and standing water that can create dangerous conditions for some trail users.

Finding a reasonable detour around the construction zone has been challenging. The trail corridor runs along Lake Washington, with steep hills, a fragmented road and sidewalk system and busy State Route 522 on the upland side.

A detour has been identified, but not yet finalized. The detour route is approximately 6.7 miles long and requires crossing State Route 522 at a signed intersection. Signs identifying the detour are being installed, and a detailed description of the detour route will be posted at www.kingcounty.gov/burkegilmantrail as soon as it is available.

Bicyclists who use this portion of the Burke-Gilman Trail as part of their daily commute are encouraged to use alternate modes of transportation during the trail closure period.

Three Metro and one Sound Transit bus routes provide service along this corridor every three minutes during commute times; all with triple bike racks. Bicycle commuters are strongly discouraged from riding along State Route 522. This poses a major public safety concern and is not recommended.

Contractor J.R. Hayes and Sons, Inc. will do the trail redevelopment work at a cost of $2.69 million. The project is funded by the 2008-2013, voter-approved Proposition 2 Parks Expansion Levy and Real Estate Excise Tax funds.

The Burke-Gilman Trail runs more than 18 miles from Shilshole Bay in the City of Seattle to the City of Bothell where it intersects the Sammamish River Trail. The trail is managed by Seattle within the city limits south of Northeast 145th Street and by King County outside Seattle.