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Guardrail Program: 2023
The 2023 Guardrail Program concluded in July.
March 10, 2023 – Crews install new guardrail down SE 208th Street from 140th Avenue SE to 148th Avenue SE
Status update
August 28, 2023
The 2023 Guardrail Program work concluded in July. Please see the 2023 Guardrail work locations for a comprehensive list.
For the most up to date information regarding lane restrictions and road closures, visit kingcounty.gov/mycommute.
Work completed
King County repaired damaged guardrail and installed concrete barricades throughout unincorporated King County in 2023. Guardrails and other barricades increase safety by preventing vehicles from running off the road.
May 25, 2023 – Crews prep this sharp curve on SE Mirrormont Boulevard & 245th Avenue SE between Issaquah-Hobart Road SE to SE 146th Street for new concrete barricades.
May 25, 2023 – New concrete barricades help prevent vehicles from running off the road on this section of SE Mirrormont Boulevard and 245th Avenue SE.
2023 Guardrail work locations
North King County
| Location | Type of work | Month work will begin |
|---|---|---|
| 6th Avenue S Myers Way S to S 112th Street |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| 8th Avenue S S 103rd Street to S 112th Street |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| NE 100th Street West Snoqualmie Valley Road to 284th Avenue NE |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| NE 132nd Street Avondale Rd NE to Bear Creek Road (bridge) |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| NE 133rd Street Bear Creek Road to Trilogy Parkway NE (including bridge) |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
South King County
| Location | Type of work | Month work will begin |
|---|---|---|
|
164th Avenue SE SE 224th Street to SE 240th Street |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
|
196th Avenue SE SR-164 to SE 400th Street |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
|
196th Avenue SE & SE 456th Way SE 488th Street to 212th Avenue SE |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| Cedar Grove Road SE Bridge near Byers Road |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
|
S 282nd Street 46th Avenue S to 48th Avenue S |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| S Langston Road 64th Avenue S to 78th Avenue S |
Guardrail upgrades, tree removal (3 + 1 stump), shoulder restoration | Complete |
|
SE 208th Street 140th Avenue SE to 148th Avenue SE |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| SE Fish Hatchery Road State Route 202 to 361st Avenue SE |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| SE May Valley Road 164th Avenue SE to SR-900 |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| SE Mirrormont Boulevard & 245th Avenue SE Issaquah-Hobart Road SE to SE 146th Street |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| Tiger Mountain Road SE Issaquah Hobart Road (N) to Issaquah Hobart Road (S) |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| SE 380th Street 200 feet east of SR-164 (Auburn Enumclaw Rd SE) on the north and south sides of the road for a distance of 400 feet |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
| Auburn Black Diamond Road 112.5 feet on the north side at the 16800 block |
Guardrail upgrades, shoulder restoration | Complete |
Frequently asked questions
Guardrails increase safety by preventing vehicles from running off the road. These barriers help keep vehicles on the shoulder instead of on the side of the roadway.
The 2023 Guardrail Preservation Program costs $1.6 million. The program's focus is the replacement of existing damaged guardrail to bring it up to current standards.
Please report damage to guardrail to our 24/7 Road Helpline at 206-477-8100 or toll-free at 800-527-6237, or you may email maint.roads@kingcounty.gov.
Guardrail is installed by driving posts into the soil which makes them more stable. In some cases where underground utilities or drainage is close to guardrail, holes are created using a large vacuum. Then the post is placed and the soil is compacted around it.
King County's contractors usually decide how they acquire guardrail materials. The county provides contractors with the necessary requirements.
A clear zone (also called crash zone) is the area near the road where a driver can safely stop their vehicle. Some roads use paved shoulders as a clear zone, while others use the unpaved public right-of-way. King County and WSDOT standards require all public roads to have adequate clear zones.
Replacing sections of guardrail is based on many factors like the surrounding landscape and the length of the repair. The speed limit and how windy a road is are also important.
We look at the five-year crash history focused on run-off-road collisions. All traffic crash and collision data is reported and stored at the Washington State Transportation Data, GIS, and Modeling Office. This office is the source for the most complete and up-to-date information regarding any location in Washington State. It is the source we use for crash and collision information. For information on crashes on your roadway, submit your data request here.
We look at the five-year crash history focused on run-off-road collisions. All traffic crash and collision data is reported and stored at the Washington State Transportation Data, GIS, and Modeling Office. This office is the source for the most complete and up-to-date information regarding any location in Washington State. It is the source we use for crash and collision information. For information on crashes on your roadway, submit your data request here.