King County’s new Algona Transfer Station begins operations in 2023 at 35101 W. Valley Highway S. in Algona, replacing the 53-year-old transfer station on West Valley Highway in that city.

The new facility, just north of the present station — will offer services the present one cannot, including recycling, yard waste and household hazardous waste disposal, making them more accessible and convenient for south county residents.

King County’s Solid Waste Division chose the site after a multi-year siting and environmental review process.

According to project manager Andrea Clinkscales, the preliminary design phase is to run through January 2020, final design is scheduled for 2020-2021, and the actual construction phase will span 2021-2023.

The Design Advisory Group, a group of community members keen to help King County shape the design of the new facility, first met on Nov. 29, 2018. The county hosted an open house at Dec. 12 at the Algona City Hall.

Clinkscales said community engagement will continue as the county seeks input from the community on design features it considers important, such as green building features, aesthetics, site improvements that would benefit the community and mitigation of project impacts.

Project activities scheduled for 2019 are to include: continued recruitment of members to participate in the Design Advisory Group; launching of an online forum for community engagement; conducting face-to-face meetings with interested groups; and the undertaking of a number of technical studies.

Additional information about the Algona Transfer Station project, including opportunities to stay informed and engaged, is available online, or by contacting King County’s Solid Waste Division at 206-477-4466.

King County operates eight transfer stations, two drop-boxes, the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, and many programs to help customers recycle.