 Groundbreaking transit in Kirkland
On Tuesday, I joined Sound Transit, WSDOT, the City of Kirkland, and representatives from many Eastside cities to celebrate the start of construction of the Stride bus rapid transit project and the NE 85th interchange in Kirkland.
 It is so exciting to see this major regional transit hub beginning to come to life in Kirkland. From this location, people will be able to access the entire region whether you arrive here on foot, bicycle, car or bus. As Kirkland and the Eastside continue to grow and thrive, the partnership among WSDOT, Sound Transit and the City of Kirkland has been critical to expediting delivery of this linchpin in our expanding transit network.
In 2021 I successfully advocated to advance Kirkland’s NE 85th interchange project in the face of funding shortfalls at Sound Transit. Because of that work, it will open in 2026 ahead of the rest of Stride bus rapid transit's Bellevue to Lynnwood line (now slated to open in 2029) and make it easier for existing transit routes to connect people to places they want to go. It will also serve new transit routes like the future RapidRide K Line that is slated to open in 2030. The NE 85th project will include new multiuse trails to make it easier to walk and bike along NE 85th and to connect to Downtown Kirkland, a passenger pick-up and drop-off area, new stops for local transit service, and express toll lane direct access ramps.
Help us implement the Crisis Care Centers initiative
 In April, voters approved the Crisis Care Centers levy, a $1.2 billion nine-year levy that will create five Crisis Care Centers, restore and increase mental health residential treatment beds, and grow the workforce that provides mental health and substance use disorder services. These investments will increase access to critical behavioral health care across the county, giving more people struggling with mental health and substance use issues the support and services they desperately need.
Now we’re undertaking the work to implement the levy and we need your input. Whether you work in or adjacent to behavioral healthcare, use behavioral health services, or just care about this important community issue, you can take a survey to share your thoughts or participate in one of multiple community meetings for updates and to give input. With your help, we can design and implement a plan that will make a real difference in our community.
Need resources? Look no further!
As part of the annual Welcoming Week, which builds belonging and community relationships, tomorrow there are two resource fairs for people seeking services and connection.
 From 11:00-3:00 at Crossroads Shopping Center, the Bellevue Diversity Advisory Network and the Chinese Information and Service Center will hold the Bellevue Resource Fair. Local agencies, organizations, businesses, and community partners will share valuable resources and services and neighbors can connect, learn, and build relationships.
 At Juanita High School from 10:00-2:00, the Kirkland Health and Wellness Fair will be hosted by the King County Promotores Network, the City of Kirkland, ACASA Pharmacy, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Lake Washington School District, Latinos Promoting Good Health, and Public Health Seattle – King County. This multilingual fair will offer free COVID vaccines, health screenings, music, food, kids activities, and more.
Spread the word!
Please forward this email widely and invite others to sign-up to my email updates to receive important and timely information for District 6 constituents.
Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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