The 85th Street interchange in Kirkland is set to become a focal point of enhanced transportation and urban development, thanks to the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) plan approved by Puget Sound voters in 2016. This initiative is bringing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to the I-405 corridor, promising to significantly improve connections and commute times between key areas like Lynnwood, Kirkland, Bellevue, and Burien. Crucially, this north-south BRT line will provide seamless access to the regional light rail network, scheduled to launch by 2026, further solidifying the importance of the 85th Street area.
The reconstruction of the I-405/85th Street Interchange is a cornerstone of this project. Envisioned as a three-level structure, the redesigned interchange will prioritize efficient traffic flow. NE 85th Street will occupy the lower level, while the mid-level will be dedicated to transit, ensuring smooth BRT operations. I-405 will run on the top level, completing the multi-tiered design. Buses will access the BRT station via inline access ramps, streamlining passenger pick-up and drop-off. Notably, the emphasis at the 85th Street BRT Station is on transit accessibility and non-motorized transportation options, as plans do not include a Park and Ride facility. This design choice underscores the commitment to fostering a walkable and transit-centric environment around 85th Street.
Kirkland’s City Council has proactively embraced the transformative potential of the 85th Street BRT station. With the passage of the 2019-2020 budget, the Council authorized the creation of a Station Area Plan specifically for the vicinity of the I-405/NE 85th Street interchange. This commitment was further solidified on February 19, 2019, with Resolution R-5356, which formally adopted the 2019-2020 Priority Goals and City Work Program. A key initiative within this program is the development of the Station Area Plan. This plan emphasizes continued collaboration with Sound Transit, the State Department of Transportation, and King County Metro Transit. The goal is to ensure that I-405 investments effectively address Kirkland’s transportation needs and maximize the benefits of Sound Transit’s NE 85th Street/I-405 Bus Rapid Transit interchange project. This will be achieved through comprehensive land use, zoning, and economic development plans for the areas surrounding the interchange, actively promoting Balanced Transportation and Economic Development goals.
The initial scope of the Station Area Plan encompasses land within a half-mile radius of the future 85th Street BRT Station. Currently, this area presents a diverse mix of land uses, including multi-family residences, mixed-use developments, commercial, retail, and office spaces, schools, parks, and lower-density single-family homes. The final boundaries of the Station Area Plan are subject to refinement throughout the planning process, potentially expanding or contracting based on preliminary findings.
Kirkland’s vision for the 85th Street Interchange area is to optimize the utilization of the I-405/85th Street BRT Inline Station while nurturing a vibrant and livable community. This involves ensuring that land use and zoning regulations are not only compatible with but also actively supportive of transit use. Integrating the interchange seamlessly with the surrounding land uses presents a unique urban design challenge. Subareas around the 85th Street interchange are envisioned to contribute to the transformation of current land uses into a denser, mixed-use community. This evolution is expected to accommodate new residents, employees, and visitors, all benefiting from enhanced transportation choices and reinforcing 85th Street as a key transit and development corridor in Kirkland.
