February 5, 2024

National Finalist: Gold Award
Special Projects

Photo from ACEC Washington

East Lake Sammamish Trail is an 11-mile corridor that completes a 44-mile regional trail corridor.

Parametrix

Project: East Lake Sammamish Trail
Client: King County

Parametrix served as the prime consultant for the development of the East Lake Sammamish Trail — a partnership with King County that dates back to 1998. Parametrix’s comprehensive services included project management, master planning, grant assistance, environmental documentation, permitting, natural resources consulting, civil and structural engineering, landscape architecture, survey and construction management.

Parametrix thoughtfully developed context-sensitive solutions to address the challenges associated with 78 wetlands, 46 streams, 67 driveway and roadway crossings, hundreds of residential neighbors, and over 60 intersecting stairs.

The project overcame significant legal and political challenges, with Parametrix and King County working together during permitting hearings and consulting national experts to defend the trail’s design standards. They facilitated public meetings and worked one-on-one with property owners to overcome challenges The team incorporated over 132 walls to minimize impacts on natural and built features, and innovative stormwater solutions were integrated into trail elements to eliminate the need for stormwater ponds or vaults.

Real-time vibration monitoring technology was employed during construction to safeguard nearby houses supported on piles. Advanced technology — including GIS, surveying, drones and ATVs — was employed to manage the complexity of the 11-mile corridor, which completes a 44-mile regional trail corridor. The team carefully balanced intricate adjacent land uses with project design and construction implementation.

The trail’s completion in 2023 demonstrates successful collaboration and serves as a case study in successful partnering for engineering consultants. Despite its complexity, the project was completed within the budget and ahead of schedule, underscoring the effective collaboration between Parametrix and King County in delivering this significant regional trail.

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