Lake Hills sewer relining

Construction impacts

The Lake Hills sewer runs near Bel-Red Road in the Spring District of Bellevue, between Bel-Red Road and Northup Way. View the interactive construction map for a list of construction impacts.

Why is King County rehabilitating the Lake Hills sewer pipe?

The Lake Hills Interceptor is a sewer pipe that collects and carries wastewater from homes and businesses in Bellevue to the South Treatment Plant in Renton for treatment.

Now over 50 years old, the Lake Hills sewer pipe is experiencing corrosion, and needs to be relined so it does not fail, overflow, or disrupt service. To protect the community and the environment, King County is planning to rehabilitate a 7,200-foot-long section of the pipe. This project will extend the useful life of this pipeline for another 50 years.

We have selected to rehabilitate instead of replace this sewer pipe because it is less expensive and has fewer surface construction impacts when compared to building new replacement pipes.

The Lake Hills Sewer Relining Project is part of King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s Pipeline Corrosion Rehabilitation Program.

What are the benefits?

• Extend the useful life of the pipe for another 50 years
• Maintain reliable service for our customers
• Improve water quality in our region

Learn more below about how we extend the life of our pipes by lining them:

Project description

As part of the project, King County will install pipe lining along approximately 7,200 feet of the 48-inch and 54-inch diameter concrete pipe. We will use a spiral wound technology, which allows crews to rebuild the pipe from the inside. Crews can feed the spiral wound lining in through maintenance holes, which speeds up the construction process and helps to minimize impacts to the community by repairing the pipe in its current placement.

The pipes need to be dry during lining, so we will need to reroute existing wastewater into a smaller temporary pipe. This temporary pipe would likely be routed above ground along streets, partially trenched, or be outfitted with ramps to help people and vehicles safely travel across. Construction is expected to take up to six months.

Will sewer service be interrupted?   

No, service will be maintained during the relining. We will send wastewater into a temporary pipe during construction.

Repairing the pipe process – example of a King County temporary detour pipe.

What temporary impacts can you expect during construction?

Construction impacts will include traffic and bike lane closures, detours, sidewalk and driveway closures, bus stop impacts, and equipment staging along the project area. Additional impacts may include noise and odors from the diversion pumps. This project will likely include overnight work. Here’s what we know so far about construction impacts anticipated to occur beginning as early as April 2023 (information is subject to change):

• Northeast Project Area
  • Road impact: 120th Ave NE: Road widening near King County, Metro East Base, parking along street closed during construction. Odor and noise from construction activities.
  • Bike and multi-use path impact: Multi-use trail: Section of path next to Sound Transit Link Light Rail line closed for approximately three months. Pedestrians detoured to temporary path and bicycles detoured to share the road.
  • Road impact: 124th Ave NE: Burying temporary pipe across 124th Ave NE, north of Transit Base Road, traffic reduced to single lane in both directions intermittently throughout project duration.
• Central Project Area
  • Bike and multi-use path impact: 130th Ave NE and NE Spring Blvd: Bike lane closed, bicyclists detoured to share the road from 130th Ave NE to 136th Pl NE. Odor and noise from construction activities.
  • Sidewalk and crosswalk impact: 130th Ave NE and NE Spring Blvd: Pedestrians will be detoured with construction signs at the light rail station sidewalk.
  • Road impact: 130th Ave NE and NE Spring Blvd: Eastbound lanes will be closed intermittently for approximately three months. Vehicles will be detoured to NE 20th St. Additionally, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in both directions from 130th Ave NE to 136th Pl NE throughout project duration.
  • Road impact: 132nd Ave NE and NE Spring Blvd: Burying temporary pipe across 132nd Ave NE, traffic reduced to single lane in both directions intermittently throughout project duration.
  • Road impact: 134th Ave NE and NE Spring Blvd: Intersection closed, local access only with construction flaggers for approximately three months.
  • Sidewalk and crosswalk impact: NE Spring Blvd and 136th Pl NE: ADA accessibility maintained with sidewalks and crosswalks.
  • Driveway impact: 130th Ave NE: Maintenance hole work will require a work area of approximately 13-by-165-feet and will block access to some driveways for approximately three weeks.
  • Sidewalk and crosswalk impact: 132nd Ave NE and Bel-Red Rd: Sidewalks and crosswalk at northwest intersection corner closed approximately three weeks.
  • Bus route impact: 132nd Ave NE and Bel-Red Rd: Route 226 bus stop, west of 132nd Ave NE, to be relocated for approximately three weeks.
  • Road impact: 132nd Ave NE and Bel-Red Rd: No parking on southbound side of 132nd Ave NE.
  • Road impact: 134th Ave NE and Bel-Red Rd: Local access only with construction flagging for approximately three months.
  • Driveway impact: 134th Ave NE and Bel-Red Rd: Driveway at 13310 Bel-Red Rd and adjacent sidewalks will be blocked. Drivers will be directed to use alternate driveways. Sidewalks will be detoured to avoid construction.
  • Bus route impact: Bel-Red Rd: Route 226 bus stop relocated for approximately three weeks.
• Spring Blvd & Bel-Red Rd Intersection
  • Driveway impact: 13700 Bel-Red Rd: Westernmost driveways near 13700 Bel-Red Rd blocked for approximately three weeks. Other driveways remain open for access.
  • Sidewalk and crosswalk impact: North sidewalk closed near 13700 Bel-Red Rd for approximately one week. A pedestrian path, a temporary ramp, and temporary crosswalk will detour pedestrians around work area.
  • Bus route impact: Route 226 bus stop, east of NE Spring Blvd to be relocated for approximately three months.
  • Road impact: No eastbound vehicle traffic access from Bel-Red Rd to NE Spring Blvd for approximately three months. Two westbound lanes will be temporarily closed for approximately one week. Westbound traffic will be routed around work area. Odor and noise from construction activities.

We will share more details on schedule and impacts as plans develop and will keep the community informed.

Schedule

Project location

Project area map

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