Summary

The new segment of King County Parks’ Lake to Sound Trail – an emerging 16-mile paved path that will connect Lake Washington to Puget Sound – will connect five South King County cities, Link light rail, King County Metro RapidRide A Line, and the Sounder Tukwila Station.

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King County Executive Dow Constantine today joined partners to open a new segment of King County Parks’ Lake to Sound Trail, an emerging 16-mile paved path that will extend from Lake Washington to Puget Sound, connecting to four other regional trails and high-capacity transit.

Because voters renewed the Parks Levy in August, King County Parks will be able to complete the uninterrupted trail that will connect five South King County cities and Sound Transit’s Tukwila International Boulevard Station. The new segment also connects to King County Metro’s RapidRide A Line and the Sounder Tukwila Station.

“We are strengthening regional trail connections between South King County communities, making it convenient to walk, run, or bike to high-capacity transit,” said Executive Constantine. “By connecting trails to transit, King County is making it easier than ever to explore the best places our dynamic region has to offer without having to sit in traffic or pay for parking.”

The completed Lake to Sound Trail will connect five cities – Renton, Tukwila, Burien, SeaTac, and Des Moines – and four regional trails: Eastrail, Cedar River Trail, Interurban Trail, and Green River Trail.

Once Lake to Sound Trail and Eastrail are complete, the regional system will connect all the way from Des Moines’ shoreline to King County’s Marymoor Park in Redmond. It also will connect to four of the 10 Sound Transit Link light rail stations that are part of the East Link extension.

The new segment connects the City of Tukwila’s Fort Dent Park to the City of Renton’s Black Riparian Forest via a railroad underpass and a new bridge across the Black River. The $5.8 million project was funded by the voter-approved King County Parks Levy.

It adheres to King County Parks’ regional trail standards with a 12-foot-wide trail, 2-foot-wide surface shoulders, and 1-foot-wide clear zone on each side. It also includes a trail bridge over the Black River, a pedestrian-activated traffic signal at the interaction with Monster Road, native landscaping, and interpretive and wayfinding signs.

Construction of the next segment of the Lake to Sound Trail – connecting Burien and SeaTac to Des Moines – is scheduled to start in 2021.

Relevant links

• Lake to Sound Trail
• King County Parks Trails

Quotes

We are strengthening regional trail connections between South King County communities, making it convenient to walk, run, or bike to high-capacity transit. By connecting trails to transit, King County is making it easier than ever to explore the best places our dynamic region has to offer without having to sit in traffic or pay for parking.

People who have access to outdoor recreation are happier and healthier. I’m thrilled that we are continuing to increase those opportunities in South King County through this new segment of the Lake to Sound Trail.

The opening of this segment of the Lake to Sound Trail is an exciting example of our focus on equity and health in South King County. Thanks to the voters’ overwhelming support for the Parks levy in 2019, we will provide safe places for our residents to exercise, commute, and enjoy our region’s natural beauty.

For more information, contact:

Chad Lewis, Department of Natural Resources and Parks, 206-263-1250