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SE Covington-Sawyer-Road at 164th Place SE Sightline Improvements Project
Construction expected to begin in late spring 2026
SE Covington-Sawyer Road, approaching 164th Place SE.
Status update
December 2025
Construction for this project is expected to last eight weeks in late spring 2026. Crews will occasionally close one lane during non-peak hours and direct two-way traffic through one open lane.
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Overview
This project will improve sightlines for westbound traffic on SE Covington-Sawyer Road approaching the intersection of 164th Place SE near Kent, WA. There is a sharp curve at this location that limits westbound drivers from seeing oncoming, eastbound traffic. King County will remove the steep section of curved hillside on SE Covington-Sawyer Road approaching 164th Place SE and replace it with a retaining wall. The improvements will increase visibility of oncoming traffic and allow for more stopping distance approaching 164th Place SE.
Crews will clear the hillside on the inside of this sharp curve and replace it with a retaining wall and new landscaping. The improvements will make it easier for westbound traffic to see oncoming and queuing traffic.
Project documents
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State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Notice of Action Taken (NAT) (286KB) – signed October 31, 2022
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State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) (263KB) – Issued May 19, 2022; Signed May 13, 2022
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SEPA Environmental Checklist (ECL) (542KB) – Signed May 10, 2022
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164th Place SE & SE Covington-Sawyer Road Sightline Improvements, 60% Design Plan (2MB)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trees will be removed as part of this project?
Approximately 25 trees, shrubs, and weeds will be removed to flatten the area and make space for the retaining wall.
How will the area be replanted after construction?
Crews will add more trees than we remove after construction. Native trees and plants will be added to the area above the new retaining wall. The newly landscaped area below the retaining wall will be seeded with grass for visibility.
What size is the new retaining wall?
The new concrete retaining wall will be 150 feet long and 12 feet tall.
Photos
Looking north: This is the view heading westbound around the sharp curve on SE Covington-Sawyer Road, approaching 164th Place SE. The project will clear a section of the hillside shown above on the right side of the photo and replace it with a retaining wall. The oncoming traffic in this photo is heading eastbound.
Looking south: The vehicles in this photo are heading eastbound on SE Covington-Sawyer Road approaching 164th Place SE. The project will clear the hillside on the inside of this sharp curve and replace it with a retaining wall. The improvements will make it easier for westbound traffic to see around the sharp curve.