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SE Covington-Sawyer-Road at 164th Place SE Sightline Improvements Project
SE Covington-Sawyer Road at 164th Place SE opened to traffic on October 5, 2026
October 1, 2026: Crews working for King County are seeding and replanting the newly flattened hillside on the inside of this sharp turn.
Status update
October 8, 2026
On Monday, October 5, 2026, crews working for King County Road Services reopened SE Covington-Sawyer Road at 164th Place SE to all traffic. Crews working for King County Road Services began construction on the SE Covington-Sawyer Road Sightline Improvements Project on June 29, 2026, to improve visibility of oncoming traffic and increase stopping distance on SE Covington-Sawyer Road approaching 164th Pl SE.
Later this fall, crews will return to complete additional work on the retaining wall. This work may require additional occasional, short-term lane restrictions. If so, flaggers will direct two-way traffic through a single open lane.
We will update this webpage and MyCommute with the exact dates and times of the work. For updates by text or email, sign up for Road Alerts.
Overview
This project improved sightlines for westbound traffic on SE Covington-Sawyer Road approaching the intersection of 164th Place SE near Kent, WA. A sharp curve at this location limited westbound drivers from seeing oncoming, eastbound traffic.
King County removed the steep section of curved hillside on SE Covington-Sawyer Road approaching 164th Place SE and are replacing it with a retaining wall. The improvements increase visibility of oncoming traffic and allow for more stopping distance approaching 164th Place SE.
Crews cleared the hillside on the inside of this sharp curve and replaced it with a retaining wall and new landscaping. The improvements make it easier for westbound traffic to see oncoming and queuing traffic.
Timeline
- Environmental review: Spring 2022
- Construction begins: June 29, 2026
- Construction ends: Fall 2026 (anticipated)
Budget
The estimated total project budget is $1.2M. This project is funded through the FHWA Highway Safety improvement Program (HSIP).
Project map
The project is located on SE Covington-Sawyer Road approaching the intersection with 164th Place SE, near Covington, WA and Kent, WA.
Project documents
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State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Notice of Action Taken (NAT) (286KB) – signed October 31, 2022
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State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) (263KB) – Issued May 19, 2022; Signed May 13, 2022
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SEPA Environmental Checklist (ECL) (542KB) – Signed May 10, 2022
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164th Place SE & SE Covington-Sawyer Road Sightline Improvements, 60% Design Plan (2MB)
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Final Covington-Sawyer Postcard (600KB)
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Final Covington-Sawyer Flyer (800KB)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trees will be removed as part of this project?
Approximately 25 trees, shrubs, and weeds will be removed to flatten the area and make space for the retaining wall.
How was the area be replanted after construction?
Crews added more trees than were removed during construction. Native trees and plants were added to the area above the new retaining wall. The newly landscaped area below the retaining wall was seeded with grass for visibility.
What size is the new retaining wall?
The new concrete retaining wall is 150 feet long and 12 feet tall.
Does this project include any modifications to the existing roadway or its components?
This project does not include any modifications to the existing roadway or its components.
Separately, however, our traffic safety team has evaluated the intersection of SE Covington-Sawyer Road and 164th Place SE. Based on current conditions, the location qualifies for either a traffic signal or a roundabout, with a roundabout currently identified as the preferred option for safety and efficiency. This intersection is ranked on our prioritized list of locations eligible for a new signal or roundabout. Although we intend to install one in the future, design and construction are not currently funded. The current sightline design intentionally preserves space for this improvement, if funding becomes available in the future.
Photos
August 31, 2026: Crews working for King County install quarry spalls, large pieces of broken rock to stabilize the soil and protect it from erosion.
August 27, 2026: The newly installed catch basin to being connected to an existing drainage system.
July 21, 2026: Crews clear a section of the hillside along SE Covington Sawyer Road, which restricted visibility and provided reduced sightlines for drivers on the road.
Looking north: This was the view heading westbound around the sharp curve on SE Covington-Sawyer Road, approaching 164th Place SE. The project cleared a section of the hillside shown above on the right side of the photo and will replace it with a retaining wall. The oncoming traffic in this photo is heading eastbound.
Looking south: The vehicles in this photo are heading eastbound on SE Covington-Sawyer Road approaching 164th Place SE. The project cleared the hillside on the inside of this sharp curve and will replace it with a retaining wall. The improvements make it easier for westbound traffic to see around the sharp curve.