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Traffic

Independent Traffic Engineer has critically analyzed the DEIS

  • Some of the inputs to the quantitative traffic analyses reported in the DEIS are inaccurate or inappropriate, which has resulted in an underestimation of impacts and which invalidates the results.
  • The DEIS parking analysis makes inappropriate use of parking demand data, and based on the resulting flawed analysis, makes an unacceptable and unsupported case to ignore City parking code requirements.
  • The DEIS traffic/transportation analysis addresses the proposed action as if it were a project, rather than a Comprehensive Plan Amendment. Consequently, the traffic/transportation analysis is incomplete and inadequate for use in analyzing and evaluating the impacts of the proposed Planned Action and Comprehensive Plan Amendment.

    Click here to view the Letter Critiquing Traffic Study

    Traffic will be Gridlocked

    • Jobs expected at redeveloped Parkplace - 5,986 jobs
    • Average of 87% arriving in single occupancy vehicles - 5,208 cars
    • Average 10% arriving with more than one person - 599 cars
    • Plus traffic to 325-room hotel, retail and deliveries - +++
    • Imagine 6,000 arriving and leaving Kirkland each day

    When determining traffic and parking needs for the draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS), the developer’s paid consultant optimistically estimated that 78% of the more than 5,300 additional workers coming to the new Parkplace would arrive in Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV). And according to the draft resulting in the failure of 10 intersections. According to the draft EIS, at least $13 million in traffic improvements will need to be made under this scenario, though no solution to pay for these improvements has been offered.

    Now consider that census data for Kirkland residents shows 86% drive to work in SOV. The 2006 King County Traffic Management Plan, shows on average 87% of people working in Kirkland’s office buildings arrive in single occupancy vehicles. This is a minimum discrepancy of 11%, further worsening expected traffic and potentially creating absolute gridlock.

    Pedestrians will Be Cut Off
    The size and scale of Downtown Kirkland make walking a convenient and attractive activity. An extensive network of pedestrian pathways covers the Downtown area, linking residential, recreational, and commercial areas. Downtown Kirkland is a pedestrian precinct unlike virtually any other in the region—It’s been called almost European in its scale and quality.

    The comprehensive development plan for downtown Kirkland cites the importance of pedestrian friendly access. In fact, they say it is a high-priority policy objective. Major pathways include the extensive east-west “spine” or “Park Walk Promenade,” which links the lake with points east of 6th Street and the shoreline public access trail. With the developer’s proposed redevelopment of Parkplace, a major pedestrian thoroughfare is cut off (see illustrations below). To date, more than 150 people have signed a petition expressing their concern over the loss of this pedestrian pathway.