Traveling near one of Sammamish’s more popular parks could soon be a lot smoother for cars, pedestrians and bicycles.

City staff recently presented its plan to improve 244th Ave. S.E., near Beaver Lake Park, with the intent of adding bike lanes on both sides of the road between Southeast 24th Street and Southeast 32nd Street.

“There are two lanes in width and very little shoulder, if any,” said Public Works Director Laura Philpot, of the current condition. “I’ve actually used this as a non-motorized pedestrian and there is not a lot of room.”

The proposed bike lane on the east side of the road, near Beaver Lake Park, would be separated with a landscape strip, which would double as an area to handle stormwater. A sidewalk would be added to the other side of the landscaping. The west side of the road would simply contain a bike lane.

Estimated costs for the project are just over $1.7 million and fall under the non-motorized improvement budget.

The work would also free up 400 feet of parking on the east side of the road, enough for roughly 20 cars.

There are potential obstacles to the project, including concerns from citizens with nearby driveways and the adjacent Williams Interstate Pipeline, which is expected to be upgraded soon. The city is working with neighbors and the pipeline company over the winter and spring in order to resolve concerns.

There is also a potential need to replace a 52-inch culvert that allows Laughing Jacobs Creek to flow from the park, under the roadway. That could cost upwards of $80,000.

“We are working to see if we can leave that intact and not have that be impacted. It is possible that we may be required to replace that as part of the project,” Philpot said.

The goal for city staff is to have the project plan done by early July, bring the plan to the City Council and begin work in late July or early August.