The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking public input through Sept. 2 on a planned State Route 516 paving and accessibility project in Kent.
The SR 516/SR 181 to 104th Ave SE Vicinity Paving and ADA project is intended to extend the life of the roadway and improve safety, accessibility and travel choices, according to WSDOT. Construction is scheduled for summer 2029.
The project would repave SR 516 from SR 181 to the vicinity of SR 515, also known as 104th Ave SE, and upgrade curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
“Your input will help shape improvement recommendations for bicycle and pedestrian facilities,” WSDOT said in its online open house.
WSDOT said it is working to include as many bicycle and pedestrian improvements as possible during the paving project. Longer term improvements could be delivered through a future project that is not yet funded.
The agency said the project reflects its Complete Streets approach, which is meant to make roadways safer and more accessible for people walking, biking, rolling, driving or using transit. Possible goals include shorter street crossings, lower motor vehicle speeds, more visibility between drivers and people walking or biking, and more separation between vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists.
WSDOT is also applying principles from the Healthy Environment for All Act, which directs state agencies to address environmental health disparities affecting overburdened communities. The agency said it will assess how the project may affect overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, and will use the Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map and community input to help guide equitable design.
Existing conditions identified by WSDOT include cracked pavement and deteriorating asphalt last paved in 2007, curb ramps that do not meet current public right of way accessibility guidelines, sidewalk gaps, narrow sidewalks in some areas and limited bicycle facilities along parts of SR 516. The corridor carries about 28,500 vehicles per day, according to WSDOT.
The project area also includes transit service from King County Metro routes 160, 162 and 168, the future RapidRide I Line along SR 516, and access to Kent Station and the South Sounder line.
WSDOT said it is seeking input on how people use SR 516, experiences at specific locations and ideas for improvements. The full online open house survey should take no more than 20 minutes.
Online Open House
An online open house is open now and available through September 2, 2026 in English, Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese.
