Louis Thompson Tightline

What's happening now

***Update***  One-Way Detour to be removed Wednesday after Wall 8 Construction finishes on Wednesday,  November 26.

Wall 8 (between 210th Place SE and East Main Street) has been built and patch paving is planned Wednesday November 26 against the wall to accommodate the new shoulder widening. This wall work has delayed lifting the one-way detour three additional days. We appreciate drivers' patience during the detour.

After the detour is lifted, traffic control will continue at specific locations as final items are installed. Most prominently, the  retaining wall retrofit and sidewalk at Wall 10 adjacent the intersection with East Lake Sammamish Parkway will continue to utilize a traffic lane shift to maintain the work zone.

Traffic Impacts:

• One-Way Traffic Only:
  Louis Thompson Road will be open to southbound (uphill) traffic only, 24 hours a day, from September 10 - October 30, 2025. After October 30, 1-way traffic will remain in effect over a shorter limit: from 208th Avenue NE to East Main Street through November 26, 2025.
• Closure to Northbound (downhill) Traffic: From 210th Place SE to 205th Avenue NE (near East Lake Sammamish Parkway), Louis Thompson Road will be closed to northbound traffic.
• Detour signs will be posted, and residents should use alternate routes to travel northbound. See Detour exhibit here.
• Two way traffic will be completely restored by November 21 after work on walls 7 and 8 near East Main Street are completed.

• Access and Services Maintained:
• Southbound traffic will maintain access to all driveways and side streets.
• Vehicles exiting neighborhoods onto Louis Thompson Road must travel southbound (uphill).
• In coordination with the Lake Washington School District, all school bus routes will continue to operate with uphill-only routing.
• Garbage collection and mail delivery will continue without interruption.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to improve local infrastructure. Please plan ahead for possible delays and follow all posted signage and flagger directions during the detour.

Current Work Items:

Completion of installation of Wall 8, including shoulder widening, and Wall 10. The final pavement overlay is expected to remain to be completed next spring during favorable weather.

Project Background

Louis Thompson Road is a vital connection route serving residents of Sammamish and surrounding communities. Historically, the corridor has been impacted by uncontrolled stormwater runoff. This construction phase will improve Louis Thompson Road from 210^th Place Southeast to Eastlake Sammamish Parkway Northeast.

Following community feedback and preferences expressed previously, the City of Sammamish City Council approved the implementation of proposed alternative #4 in September 2022. Planned improvements include:

• Upgrades to existing stormwater conveyance, culvert, and ditch systems in the area to alleviate flooding, erosion, and landslide issues.
• A new sidewalk and bike lane on the north (downhill) side of the road to improve safety and connectivity to adjacent neighborhoods.
• A 6-inch paint line and widened 6-foot shoulder on the south (uphill) side to improve safety along the road.

Recent Photos

Project Needs and Goals

Controlling stormwater runoff and erosion

Uncontrolled stormwater runoff from the existing roadway and surrounding private properties results in erosion of the existing ditches and at culvert outfalls. Upgrades in the stormwater collection and conveyance system will be implemented to improve conditions and reduce the frequency of flooding events, erosion, and possibility of landslides.

Adding a sidewalk and bike lane

The corridor does not currently include any sidewalks, bike lanes, or other non-motorized improvements. While the project’s primary goal is to address the stormwater runoff issues, the City will also be adding non-motorized improvements, including a sidewalk and bike lane to connect adjacent neighborhoods with Lake Sammamish.

Protecting streams and wetlands

These improvements will be coupled with the City’s commitment to protecting environmentally sensitive areas, such as stream crossings and wetlands. The City will work with the community and appropriate agencies to ensure that roadway improvements are made without negatively impacting natural areas and areas which serve as important habitat for fish and wildlife.

Project Design

This project will upgrade the existing stormwater conveyance, culvert, and ditch systems in the area and alleviate the flooding, erosion, and landslide issues. New sidewalk and bike lane will improve safety.

Selected alternative

The preferred alternative - selected by City Council in September 2022 and informed by community input earlier this year – will include a sidewalk and bike lane on the north (downhill) side of the road, as well as a 6-in paint line on the south (uphill) side of the road. The south (uphill) side of the road will also be locally widened to provide a five-foot wide shoulder throughout the project area.

Project location

These improvements will be built from 210th Pl SE to Eastlake Sammamish Parkway NE. See the cross-section and map below for more details.

Outreach and Community Engagement

August 2024 - Virtual Public Meeting #3 

Thanks to everyone who attended our Virtual Open House on Wednesday, August 7. A recording of the presentation and Q&A is available below.

October 2022 - Virtual Open House

Thanks to everyone who attended our Virtual Open House on Thursday, October 27. A recording of the presentation and Q&A is available below. You can also view the slideshow.

May 2022 - Virtual Public Meeting

Thank you to everyone who attended our May 5 Virtual Public Meeting. If you were not able to make it, you can view a recording of the presentation and Q&A below. You can also view the slideshow.

• The City is planning to engage the public throughout the design process to gather community input on proposed improvements and build trusting relationships with stakeholders.
• The City is committed to a clear and transparent design process to ensure the final design reflects the preferences of the community and meets their current and future needs.
• The City's project team is available to meet virtually with interested community organizations, schools, businesses, property owners, and residents to share more about the project and better understand concerns, priorities for design, and how they would like to communicate with the City and share input throughout the project.

The health and safety of the greater Sammamish community will be the forefront priority when planning and executing outreach related to this project. The project team expects to prioritize virtual and digital engagement opportunities for the foreseeable future.

Grant funding partners

• King County Flood Control District - Flood Reduction Grant: $700,000 (2022 and 2023 Awards)
• King County Flood Control District - Sub-Regional Opportunity Grant: $192,942
• Department of Commerce - State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: $3,000,000