West Ridge Downtown Connection

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The West Ridge neighborhood is located on the southwest side of the City of Woodinville along a steep north-south ridge, while the downtown is located within the Sammamish River Valley. The topographic separation between the two neighborhoods includes slopes exceeding 20% grade, creating significant barriers for pedestrians and cyclists.

Currently, there are only two direct vehicular routes connecting the neighborhoods:

  • 124th Ave NE to NE 173rd Pl in the north, which does not include sidewalks or pedestrian facilities along the slope; and
  • NE 143rd St / 137th Pl NE / NE 145th St (“Winery Hill”) in the south, where sections of sidewalks and pedestrian facilities exist with gaps closed as part of frontage improvements associated with upcoming and future residential developments or City led CIP project(s).

These two connections are approximately 1.5 miles apart. Additionally, the southern route primarily connects to the Tourist District rather than directly into Downtown.



Potential Connection Opportunities

The Tolt Pipeline Trail, located approximately 0.25 miles north of NE 145th Street, provides another potential pedestrian connection; however, the corridor currently lacks key roadway and State Route crossings. Several crossing improvements have been identified in City’s CIP but remain unfunded. Existing conditions also include multiple collision hotspots and accessibility gaps throughout the surrounding network.

In 2024, a study to evaluate potential connection opportunities between West Ridge and Downtown was added to the 2025/2026 Biennial Budget. In February 2026, the City retained Parametrix, one of the City’s on-call engineering consultants, to conduct that analysis. The initial screening identified six possible alignments, of which three remain feasible for further consideration:

  • 124th Avenue NE
  • 124th Avenue NE to NE 173rd Place
  • 124th Avenue NE to Kirkland Spur via Winery Hill

On May 28, 2026, City staff presented the results of the evaluation to the Public Spaces Commission for preliminary feedback. The Commission generally favored trail-based alternatives. On June 16, 2026, City staff updated the City Council on the project.


Next Steps

Parametrix will refine the alignment, prepare a preliminary cost estimate and develop conceptual design for the preferred alignment. City staff will share this conceptual design to the Westridge neighborhood for feedback before returning to the City Council with final alignment, cost estimate and conceptual design.

Inclusion of future design and construction phases in the City's Capital Improvement Plan will be subject to City Council direction and the availability of funding.

The West Ridge neighborhood is located on the southwest side of the City of Woodinville along a steep north-south ridge, while the downtown is located within the Sammamish River Valley. The topographic separation between the two neighborhoods includes slopes exceeding 20% grade, creating significant barriers for pedestrians and cyclists.

Currently, there are only two direct vehicular routes connecting the neighborhoods:

  • 124th Ave NE to NE 173rd Pl in the north, which does not include sidewalks or pedestrian facilities along the slope; and
  • NE 143rd St / 137th Pl NE / NE 145th St (“Winery Hill”) in the south, where sections of sidewalks and pedestrian facilities exist with gaps closed as part of frontage improvements associated with upcoming and future residential developments or City led CIP project(s).

These two connections are approximately 1.5 miles apart. Additionally, the southern route primarily connects to the Tourist District rather than directly into Downtown.



Potential Connection Opportunities

The Tolt Pipeline Trail, located approximately 0.25 miles north of NE 145th Street, provides another potential pedestrian connection; however, the corridor currently lacks key roadway and State Route crossings. Several crossing improvements have been identified in City’s CIP but remain unfunded. Existing conditions also include multiple collision hotspots and accessibility gaps throughout the surrounding network.

In 2024, a study to evaluate potential connection opportunities between West Ridge and Downtown was added to the 2025/2026 Biennial Budget. In February 2026, the City retained Parametrix, one of the City’s on-call engineering consultants, to conduct that analysis. The initial screening identified six possible alignments, of which three remain feasible for further consideration:

  • 124th Avenue NE
  • 124th Avenue NE to NE 173rd Place
  • 124th Avenue NE to Kirkland Spur via Winery Hill

On May 28, 2026, City staff presented the results of the evaluation to the Public Spaces Commission for preliminary feedback. The Commission generally favored trail-based alternatives. On June 16, 2026, City staff updated the City Council on the project.


Next Steps

Parametrix will refine the alignment, prepare a preliminary cost estimate and develop conceptual design for the preferred alignment. City staff will share this conceptual design to the Westridge neighborhood for feedback before returning to the City Council with final alignment, cost estimate and conceptual design.

Inclusion of future design and construction phases in the City's Capital Improvement Plan will be subject to City Council direction and the availability of funding.