King County advances major sewer upgrade for Mercer Island and Bellevue
SEATTLE, Wash. (UI) — King County is advancing construction on the North Mercer Island/Enatai Sewer Upgrade Project, which will replace aging wastewater pipelines serving Mercer Island, Bellevue’s Enatai Beach area, and the Town of Beaux Arts Village.
The upgrade will replace decades-old pipelines that carry wastewater from the North Mercer Island Pump Station to the Sweyolocken Pump Station in Bellevue. Once complete, the new system is expected to provide reliable sewer service for more than 50 years.
Crews are currently active across north Mercer Island and southwest Bellevue. Extended construction hours—approved through December 2025—allow work on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Work includes upgrading the North Mercer Pump Station, restoring streets and park areas, and relining or replacing more than four miles of sewer mainlines. The project is divided into eight construction areas, including major restoration work at Fruitland Landing, Enatai Beach Park, and Luther Burbank Park.
“The I-90 Trail between Island Crest Way and SE 35th Street is now open for users,” the county said in an update. “However, portions east of SE 35th Place remain closed for sewer construction.”
Crews are also restoring the work area beneath the bridge at Enatai Beach Park, with the space expected to reopen to the public in early December. Smaller sections of the park will remain closed until remaining in-water pipe work concludes in 2026.
When finished, the project will strengthen wastewater capacity, improve reliability, and reduce maintenance needs for communities around Lake Washington.
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