On a sunny Saturday in early June, King County and the City of SeaTac celebrated the completion of a new 2.2-mile segment of the paved Lake to Sound Trail, a key part of the regional trail network.
This trail, envisioned and funded in 2009, is a collaborative effort between King County and the cities of Renton, Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien, and Des Moines. Once fully realized, the 16-mile trail will connect the southern tip of Lake Washington in Renton to the Puget Sound shores in Des Moines, serving as a crucial east-west corridor for cycling and walking.
Currently, the Lake to Sound Trail is about two-thirds complete, with future plans to connect it to four existing multi-use trails: Eastrail, Interurban, Green Lake, and Cedar River.
The newly established Segment C runs through SeaTac, positioned just south of the SeaTac International Airport. This section features approximately 800 feet of elevated concrete boardwalk designed to preserve existing wetlands, while the overall trail is 12 feet wide and built on land owned by the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This area is crucial as it will eventually accommodate the future extension of State Route 509.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which included a ride from the Angle Lake light rail station by numerous members of the Cascade Bicycle Club, King County’s capital projects manager David Shaw spoke about the project’s significance. He mentioned that the development of Segment C took nearly two years to complete, with King County overseeing the construction and transferring trail maintenance responsibilities to the city of SeaTac.
Shaw remarked, “A lot of the property is WSDOT right of way. There were also a couple pieces of private property that needed to be purchased, that are now City of SeaTac-owned.”
The funding for this segment came from WSDOT, a grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, along with the King County Parks Levy.
However, the character of this trail is expected to change significantly once WSDOT completes its massive $2.8 billion SR 509 expansion, which will include four-lane expressways. Currently, the area away from road construction remains relatively serene, featuring a lush canopy of cottonwoods and alders.
During the celebration, SeaTac city council member Peter Kwon emphasized the importance of the Lake to Sound Trail for the community. He stated, “We have a need for bike lanes, especially in our communities near the airport impacted by noise, pollution, and traffic. We really need natural open spaces – it’s an even higher priority here than in other areas.”
King County’s efforts are closely aligned with principles of equity and social justice, according to Shaw. He noted that this segment is among the highest priority projects as it aims to address the historical neglect of funding in south King County.
“Historically, a lot of the investments have been in the north and on the Eastside, and maybe not as much in south King County,” Shaw explained. “That’s what this is really targeted towards — getting to these under-served communities, connecting them up, making sure they’ve got accessibility to the trail system.”
Additionally, the Lake to Sound Trail complies with ADA requirements, making it accessible for all to walk or ride in a location that has been traditionally less safe for pedestrians. Shaw highlighted the alarming statistic that pedestrian fatalities in south King County had nearly tripled over a recent decade.
He remarked, “Any time you can get people on a dedicated pedestrian, non-motorized facility, it’s going to increase their safety. It’s going to increase their comfort level. They’re going to get out there and use it more, shifting those trips from car trips to foot trips or bike trips.”
One of the Cascade Bicycle Club riders, Robert Onishi from Auburn, expressed enthusiasm about the new trail. Although he regularly cycles long distances, he recognizes that new cyclists and families typically seek safer routes.
Onishi commented, “So, having accessible options that don’t involve fighting cars or worrying about traffic — that’s great.”
Cycling advocate Bob Svercl joined the Cascade ride to raise awareness of the trail’s proximity to light rail stations. “I wanted to make sure people knew, with this ride, that you have a light rail station right there. You can get to Des Moines marina. You can go through here, on a nice paved path, all the way through Burien and SeaTac.”
The newly connected 11-mile segment of the Lake to Sound Trail, encompassing Segment C and a portion of the Des Moines Creek, offers multiple access points, including the Angle Lake and Tukwila International Boulevard light rail stations.
King County Executive Shannon Braddock praised the trail’s significance, stating, “We’re making it safer and healthier for people in South King County to bike, walk, and roll to some of the best destinations our dynamic region has to offer.”
Earlier segments of the Lake to Sound Trail include Segment B, which opened in 2018 and covers areas to the west and north of the airport, and Segment A, which opened in 2020 and stretches 1.2 miles south of Skyway, incorporating parts of the Green River Trail.
Shaw noted the environmental considerations taken during construction, specifically mentioning the four concrete boardwalks built to help preserve local wetlands. He acknowledged the cost implications of this environmentally friendly approach but emphasized its importance: “Obviously, boardwalk construction is more expensive than building trail at grade on the ground. But from an environmental standpoint, it’s the right thing to do. It really reduces our impact.”
The completed segment will feature wayfinding signs and public art, enhancing its appeal and usability. While restrooms are not located along this part of the trail, facilities are available at the trailhead for the Des Moines Creek Trail further south.
Onishi expressed his appreciation for the way the underutilized area is being transformed into an active public space. “It’s beautiful, this underutilized area. Much of this had been shut down for airport flyway traffic 30-some years ago.”
He concluded, “It’s a great public use of that kind of space, especially as nicely put together as this is, and having some rationale about getting to and from the whole network of trails. That’s the key to usability, and the sort of thing that gets people out to use this system.”
The opening of this segment of the Lake to Sound Trail marks a significant step towards improving connectivity, accessibility, and safety for the residents of South King County while providing them with more options for active transportation.
image source from：theurbanist
