King County and the City of Redmond have begun a joint pilot project designed to enhance safety on the Sammamish River Trail. Over the last several years, conflicts due to congestion have increased among the various trail users (walkers, skaters, cyclists, etc) along portions of the trail through downtown Redmond. The pilot study area is between Northeast Leary Way to just north of Northeast 90th Street.

The year-long study will bring several changes to the trail in this area. In the next couple of weeks, a dashed yellow stripe will be painted down the center of the trail to encourage users to keep to the right, vegetation will be cleared further from the trail to improve sight distances and trail etiquette signage will be added.

The two jurisdictions also collaborated on a trail safety campaign by developing a “Share the Trail” brochure and video describing trail etiquette and safety. Some of the key messages of this campaign include:

• Keep to the right, except to pass.

• Be aware of people around you before entering a trail, changing directions or passing.

• Be courteous when passing, by warning those being passed.

• Don’t block the path. If necessary, stop on the side of the trail .

• Keep pets on a short leash to prevent interference with other trail users.

• Control speed on the trail, especially in congested areas.

• Wear reflective clothing and use lights when using the trail at dark.

The education campaign kicked-off on May 13 with a trail side event at the rear of Redmond City Hall. City staff shared information and answered questions from trail users. Two more Thursday events are scheduled on May 27 and June 10 from 3-6 p.m.

King County also plans to install another kiosk just south of the Northeast 90th Street trail access point that will hold the “Share the Trail” brochure along with the Regional Trails in King County Map and additional Regional Trails System information.

King County will also open portions of the West Sammamish River Trail in 2010. This unpaved trail on the west bank of the river should have access points at Northeast 90th Street, the PSE Powerline Trail Bridge and Northeast 116th Street. Use of this alternative trail by pedestrians is intended to help relieve congestion along the Sammamish River Trail.

Both King County and Redmond will monitor the program to determine whether improvements have reduced trail congestion and conflicts.