BOTHELL—Anyone who’s driven down Bothell Everett Highway recently has probably noticed all the missing mature trees right outside the Canyon Park Business District.
The tree removal is part of a massive 405 Improvement Project that’s been under construction since late 2023.
The construction stretches about four and a half miles from Northeast 160th Street in Kirkland (King County) to 228th Street Southwest in Bothell (Snohomish County) – just off 527.
The project will widen 405 in the area and add a second express toll lane in each direction. It also substantially rebuilds the 527 Canyon Park Interchange.
Lastly, the project will add direct access between 405 express lanes and Canyon Park Transit Center so buses can go on, and off, the freeway without going through the regular interchange traffic.
With all of that construction comes a large construction footprint at 527 and the trees at Canyon Park Business District were a part of that footprint.
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will be restoring and replanting the trees, it states in its Measures to Avoid or Minimize Effects document.
In section 6.1, concerning Operational Mitigation, it states:
“Prepare and implement a revegetation plan in accordance with WSDOT’s Roadside Policy Manuel (WSDOT 2015) and minimize the amount of vegetation clearing to retain as many trees as practicable to minimize impacts. Replant temporary impacts with appropriate native species, including grasses, forbs, and shrubs adjacent to the roadway, and trees where a suitable setback from the roadway exists.”
In 6.2, Construction Mitigation, it states:
“Prepare and implement a revegetation plan in accordance with WSDOT’s Roadside Policy Manual (WSDOT 2015) and minimize the amount of vegetation clearing to retain as many trees as practicable to minimize impacts. Replant temporary impacts with appropriate native species, including grasses, forbs, and shrubs adjacent to the roadway, and trees where a suitable setback from the roadway exists.”
Construction of this project started in 2023 and is currently scheduled to complete in Spring of 2028.
After many of his constituents have reached out to Snohomish County Councilman Jared Mead with concerns he addressed the reason why on his social media page. He encouraged those with questions, thoughts, concerns, or comments to reach out to him.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
