The City of Redmond will hold a grand-opening celebration for the completion of the newly relocated and restored lower Bear Creek from 5-6 p.m. May 14 on the Bear Creek Trail (adjacent to 168th Avenue Northeast and Bear Creek Parkway).

The project, located between SR 520 and Bear Creek Parkway and behind Redmond Town Center, relocated about 3,000 feet of Bear Creek from the mostly straight, channelized “stream” to a meandering, reshaped and re-planted channel in an existing adjacent open space.

The project established stream buffers consistent with the city’s Critical Areas Ordinance and allowed the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) “Stage 3” widening of the SR 520 freeway adjacent to Bear Creek. The parallel path and “side-routes” allow people to walk over to the stream and to view and interact with a much improved Bear Creek.

“This collaboration between the city and state emphasizes how proactively addressing our regional transportation challenges and improving our environment can move us forward together,” said Mayor John Marchione. “Relocating and restoring this portion of Bear Creek into a productive salmon-bearing stream continues the city’s commitment to protect and improve our environment.”

For more information, contact Mike Haley, project manager, at mhaley@redmond.gov or (425) 556-2843.