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Guardrail Program

The Guardrail Program will begin in fall 2025

March 10, 2023 – Crews install new guardrail down SE 208th Street from 140th Avenue SE to 148th Avenue SE

 

Status update

October 2024

The locations for new guardrail have been identified and construction will begin in fall 2025.

For the most up to date information regarding lane restrictions and road closures, visit kingcounty.gov/mycommute.

24/7 Road Helpline

24/7 Road Helpline

Call us for help at 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237 with road maintenance and traffic safety issues in unincorporated King County — 24 hours a day

Project overview

King County installs new guardrail throughout unincorporated King County. Guardrails and other barricades increase safety by preventing vehicles from running off the road. 

We are also replacing guardrail over bridges in 2025. You can learn more about that program here

2025 Guardrail work locations map

 New guardrail will be installed in ten locations throughout unincorporated King County in 2025. 

2025 Guardrail work locations

Road Type of work/Extent Location Work expected 
NE Redmond Rd  Two locations between NE Novelty Hill Rd to NE 116th St NE of Redmond Fall 2025
NE 50th St
196th Ave NE to Sahalee Way NE East of Lake Sammamish Fall 2025
David Powell Rd  
Preston Fall City Rd SE to 347th Pl SE South of Fall City Fall 2025
169th Ave SE  
SE 112th St to SE Licorice Way May Valley Fall 2025
184th Ave SE SE 207th St to SE Lake Youngs Rd East of Kent Fall 2025
156th Ave SE SE 229th Pl to SE 227th St East of Kent Fall 2025
SE 224th St 253rd Ave SE to 255th Ave SE East of Maple Valley  Fall 2025
278th Way SE SE 392nd St to SE 400th Pl NE of Enumclaw Fall 2025
292nd Ave SE SE 392nd St to SE 408th SE
NE of Enumclaw  Fall 2025
SE 472nd St 290th Ave SE to 294th Ave SE
SE of Enumclaw
Fall 2025

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 2025 Guardrail Preservation Program has a budget of $750,000. The program's focus is to install new guardrail to current standards near steep slopes or other roadside hazards.
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.
Installing new sections of guardrail is based on many factors like the surrounding landscape and roadside hazards. 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.

Program photos

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. 

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