By: Zack Howard
Your input helped us understand your active transportation priorities for Paradise Lake Road around the new SR 522 Interchange.
Spring is a season of growth. That is also true for our state routes. With your help, we are “planting the seeds” for road improvements. These changes will reflect how you use these roads every day. The State Route (SR) 522 project includes:
- Widening SR 522 to two lanes in each direction.
- Building a new eastbound bridge near Fales Road and Echo Lake Road.
- Replacing the Paradise Lake Road intersection with an interchange and bike and pedestrian pathways.
- Installation of four roundabouts along Paradise Lake Road to help transition between highways and local streets
- Removing barriers to help fish swim through local streams.
Community engagement over the last year has focused on active transportation - person-powered ways of getting around, such as walking, biking or rolling - on SR 524/Paradise Lake Road near the new SR 522 interchange. When we launched our online open house and survey in October 2025, the community showed up in a big way. Nearly 1,800 people shared their feedback, helping us better understand what’s working, what’s challenging, and priorities for active transportation.
 |
| Project Vicinity Map showing SR 522 between Paradise Lake Road in Maltby and the Snohomish River |
Reaching the community
We asked for your feedback to help improve active transportation on SR 524/Paradise Lake Road at the new SR 522 interchange.
Our online open house and survey were open for public participation from October 1 to October 27, 2025. We received 1,788 responses We appreciate everyone who took the time to share their ideas.
To spread the word, we mailed more than 4,500 postcards to local homes and businesses. We also used social media, email newsletters, and our website to reach as many people as possible near the project.
Below is a summary of what we heard and how your feedback shaped our plans.
What we heard: How people travel through this area
Survey responses indicate that about 70% of respondents walk, bike or roll through the area daily, multiple times per day, or on a weekly basis.
Travelers also shared what would make them feel more comfortable, walking, biking or rolling. Many people asked for wider sidewalks and more places to cross the street. Others suggested adding bike lanes and better lighting. These ideas show exactly what we need to help people feel more confident moving through the community.
What we heard: Where people would like to access as a pedestrian or on a bike
Open-ended survey questions helped us better understand where community members would like to go by walking, biking or rolling but currently feel unable to because of lack of existing infrastructure. Responses revealed four main themes:
- Access to nearby cities such as Woodinville, Snohomish, and Monroe.
- Access to specific destinations such as Paradise Valley Conservation Area, the Maltby Café, and local schools.
- General access improvements, such as better connections to trails or improved infrastructure that would allow them to walk or roll to a wider range of places.
- More general concerns, with bike and pedestrian safety being the most frequently mentioned issue.
Overall, we heard that people wanted more space for walking, biking and rolling so that they could access these and other destinations.
How community feedback informed the recommended corridor vision
Feedback from our survey and meetings helped the team choose a preferred design for active transportation.
Feedback and our analysis showed that two designs were the top choices:
- Separated directional bike lanes at the sidewalk level
- Separated two-directional bike lanes at the sidewalk level
Survey results showed that people who live, work and attend school in the area prefer these two options. Local school families told us that walking and biking to school are important ways for students to get around.
Many people shared thoughts on “shared-use” paths. They noted that these paths mix people walking with people biking at higher speeds. This can be difficult for younger children or large families. By keeping walkers and bikers in their own spaces, we provide a better experience for those going to and from school. This design helps everyone move through the area more smoothly.
What’s next?
This project is not currently funded for construction. In the meantime, WSDOT will continue advancing the design phase, along with environmental permitting and right-of-way acquisition. We’ll continue to work with partners and the community to finish the design. This ensures the project will be ready when construction is funded.
We’ll keep the project webpage updated throughout the process. The community input we receive continues to be a valuable part of this process and ensures a strong path forward for the corridor.
Learn more and stay informed
We are committed to transparency throughout this process and your feedback and voice make a difference. Thanks for helping to make this community driven.
Project webpage
Visit the project page for the latest updates, detailed information and recordings/presentations from our Advisory Group meetings.
Email updates: Sign up for news and study updates.
No comments:
WSDOT comment policy
Post a Comment