 Damage from the flooding to Baring Bridge
Today, I joined my colleague Councilmember Sarah Perry and leadership from the Department of Local Services to visit some of King County’s roads affected by the recent flooding in East King County.
The King County Roads Services Division manages roughly 1,500 miles of roads and 188 bridges in unincorporated King County, connecting cities and communities and providing access to trails and natural areas. The Roads Services Division reports that the system needs about $200 million in maintenance and safety investments each year, while its capital budget is only $6 million for the 2026-2027 biennium. December’s flooding caused at least $10 million in damage to this critical county infrastructure, adding to a dramatic funding gap.
These roads and bridges are a vital part of our regional transportation network. I am committed to living up to our responsibility to repair and maintain them so that all King County residents can travel safely throughout the region.
Given the dire state of our roads fund and the future needs of our transit system to make the most of connections to expanding regional light rail, now is the time to move forward with the most-needed funding and to make a plan for the future of the King County Transportation District (KCTD). It is important to surface these issues and to hear from the public now before we vote whether to activate KCTD funding for the first time.
To consider this, the KCTD board members (made up of the members of the King County Council) will convene a special hybrid meeting at Issaquah City Hall on Wednesday, February 25 to kick off conversations about funding needs and opportunities for King County’s roads, bridges, and public transit. Wednesday’s meeting will hear about the extent of the problem, possible options to fill the gaps, and public input.
February is Black History Month and the City of Bellevue is continuing their tradition of celebrating with an art exhibition featuring the work of Pacific Northwest Black artists. In partnership with MG2 Foundation, Elevate, Onyx Fine Arts, and the Bellevue Arts Museum, “Melodies of the Diaspora: Celebrating 100 Years of Black History Month” will feature paintings, photography, sculptures, textiles, and fashion, designed to take visitors on a chronological journey of Black art.
The exhibition is open to the public at no cost from 11:00 AM-5:00 PM on Saturday, February 14 and Saturday, February 21 at Bellevue City Hall (450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue) and the Bellevue Arts Museum (510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue).
The arts community on the Eastside continues to grow and thrive and there are many opportunities to enjoy all the talent and creativity our region has to offer. You can join the Wintergrass Music Festival next Thursday, February 19-Sunday, February 22 at the Hyatt Regency (900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue) for a family-friendly bluegrass and acoustic music festival.
You can also connect with the BelRed Arts District to learn more about the exciting developments as they continue their mission to cultivate a sustainable and vibrant creative district that celebrates a diverse community and meaningfully connects everyone through arts, culture, and innovation. They just welcomed their very first Artist in Residence, Fred Lisaius (a Bellevue local!), who will be creating a project made from recycled, repurposed, and discarded materials, encouraging the public to be more mindful of their consumption.
As your councilmember on the King County Council, I need to know what’s important to you. Please consider taking a short survey to share your priorities and your ideas about how we can work together to make King County a safe, welcoming place for all.
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