Crosswalk improvement needed on 87th Street Northeast

This letter is being prepared on behalf of residents of 87th Street Northeast and 169th Court Northeast whose only access to 166th Avenue Northeast and the rest of Redmond is by a single outlet at 87th Street. We are writing to request that the City of Redmond construct a crosswalk with rapid-flash pedestrian lighting at 87th Street so that our neighborhood’s residents can safely cross 166th Avenue to reach the transit stop for the southbound Education Hill Metro bus that is located there. A curb ramp is already in place on the west side of 166th Avenue at that location.

Because of the current configuration of crosswalks on 166th Avenue following the recent construction phase, our pedestrian access to and from our neighborhood is extremely limited and hazardous. We have several residents, including schoolchildren, who use transit to access schools on the top of Education Hill or to reach the Redmond Transit Center or jobs downtown.

Heavy traffic flows, exacerbated by the city planning that resulted in all traffic on 166th Avenue Northeast being funneled into two lanes, make it extremely difficult to pull into traffic from 87th Street while driving, especially during rush hours and often at other times. There is no way that a pedestrian can safely cross 166th Avenue at this location at any time unless there is a crosswalk with a pedestrian-controlled flashing lights present to warn, slow and stop approaching drivers.

Reaching the crosswalks at 85th Street is difficult, and even impossible, for some of us who have mobility impairments and use wheelchairs or who have difficulty walking on steep hills or uneven terrain. The steep curb ramps and prevailing grades of the sidewalks in the area tend to divert mobility devices toward the busy street and create an extreme tipping hazard. There have also been several close calls for pedestrians trying to cross at the 85th Street intersection, due to heavy turning traffic and short sightlines for drivers.

The first crosswalk to the north of 85th Street is at 91st Street, but that is beyond the capabilities of many of us. That distance and prevailing terrain severely restricts safe pedestrian access for area residents.

City planners have been generous in approving multiple projects that will result in more residents in this area. The proposed Maplewood Townhomes and subdivision of one lot into three on 88th Street are but two examples. Such “improvements” need to occur only after consideration of the impact of such projects on current and future residents of this area. Those new neighbors will have the same problems we are facing and if they decide to commute by automobile they will have a detrimental impact and increase the need for a protected crosswalk at 87th Street.

Unless there is consideration of the negative impact on existing residents if the city and developers fail to improve neighborhood infrastructure when these projects seek approval, further discussions need to occur before such approvals are granted. The 87th Street crosswalk improvement should occur first, and immediately.

Concerned residents of 87th Street Northeast and 169th Court Northeast