Bellevue Sewer Upgrade Earns First-Ever Salmon-Safe Certification
King County’s Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade in Bellevue has become the first wastewater infrastructure project in the U.S. to earn Salmon-Safe certification, recognizing its integration of ecological restoration with essential infrastructure improvements. The project not only modernizes nearly two miles of sewer pipeline to serve growing populations but also enhances salmon habitat and improves trail accessibility for all users
According to the King County Newsroom, the 5-year project, scheduled to begin this spring, will build on improvements the City of Bellevue has made along its Red Cedar Trailhead to make the popular urban hiking trail more accessible. The trailhead will be improved to standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act to include benches, a wider trail with surfacing for wheelchairs and strollers, and a Braille trail with tactile signage.
The current sewer line, installed in the 1960s, is nearing its capacity to serve growing Eastside communities. It crosses under the creek in multiple locations, generally following the creek through the Coal Creek Natural Area with multiple maintenance holes.
The new pipeline will largely bypass the natural area while much of the existing pipeline will be safely decommissioned and left in place to minimize disruption. Crews will remove portions of the pipeline that are in the creek, plant native vegetation, and add woody debris to restore ecological functions. The project design incorporated input from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the City of Bellevue, and the neighboring community.