Council Priority #8: Eastrail

Council Priorities

City of Bellevue’s Council Priorities

Description

Council Priority #8: Work with King County and partner agencies to develop the Eastrail from Renton to Snohomish, including key projects and local connections in Bellevue.

Period

Q4-25

Priority Status

Delayed / On Hold

Priority Status Legend

On Track | Completed | Delayed/On hold | Not Started

Priority Icon

Staff Contact

Mike Ingram: [email protected]

Progress Updates

Delayed:

County-led projects under construction (Wilburton Trestle) or in design (SE 1st Street crossing and connecting segments north and south) are taking somewhat longer than anticipated for various reasons.
The city-led project (Eastrail to Spring Blvd Trail Link) will go to construction in 2026 but is now estimated to involve a longer construction period.
All projects are now anticipated to open for use in 2027 rather than the previously expected 2026.

End of Year Accomplishments

Continued advancing Eastrail milestones through 2025, with key design and construction milestones on track in mid-year.
Wilburton Trestle (King County): Construction underway; County addressed multiple unanticipated rehabilitation issues to keep the project advancing and limit impacts to the timeline.

SE 1st Street crossing + connecting segments (King County): Advanced permitting and design work; Transportation staff continued assessing design due to site conditions limiting sight distance.

NE 4th St to SE 1st St segment (King County): Initial design work started.

SE 1st St to 118th Ave SE/Mercer Slough segment (King County): Construction is nearly complete south of the trestle, with the segment planned to open when the trestle opens (anticipated Summer 2027).

Access/connection at 1900 118th Ave SE (County + City): County advanced design for the ramp/trail connection to Eastrail on their property at 1900 118th Ave SE; City advanced design for missing sidewalk on the west side of 118th Ave SE and an RRFB crossing (design noted at 30% in January 2026; permitting to follow for the County project in Q1 2026).

City projects advanced in 2025: City advanced design for the Spring Blvd connection, improvements at 118th Ave SE (to connect with the 1900 118th Ave SE access work), and the Eastrail to MTSG Regional Trails Connection.

Eastrail to Mountains to Sound/I-90 Trail Connection (City): Design underway; project delayed due to unanticipated ROW issues on SE 32nd Street, with work continuing on grant timeline extension and options to address the funding gap.

Eastrail Connection at Main Street (City): Completed RFQ process and selected a preferred consultant, positioning the project for kickoff in January 2026.

Woodridge neighborhood access (City): Continued work toward removing the restrictive covenant required to develop the access point; mid-year notes reflected no recent progress, with signatures at 31 of 35 needed (as of the milestones update).

Look Ahead

In 2026

Anticipate start of construction on County projects in Wilburton (interim trail NE 4th to SE 1st and SE 1st to SE 5th Streets; crossing at SE 1st ) and trail access at 1900 118th Ave SE.
Anticipate start of construction on City projects at Spring Blvd and on 118th Ave SE.
Will seek to address the funding shortfall for Eastrail to the MTSG Regional Trails Connection.
Anticipate developing conceptual design for Eastrail Connection at Main Street (116th Ave to Eastrail, Eastrail to upper Main St/Bellevue Botanical Garden).

In 2027

Anticipate opening of Eastrail segment from NE 4th Street to 118th Ave SE/Mercer Slough (involves several County projects, including Wilburton Trestle and City project to connect pedestrian and bicycle facilities on 118th Ave SE).
Anticipate opening Eastrail to Spring Blvd Trail Link (City project).

Milestones

Eastrail Segment from SE 1st Street to 118th Ave SE/Mercer Slough (King County project)
Council Priorities | 1/3/22 - 9/30/27

Woodridge Connection to Eastrail at SE 11th Street (City of Bellevue project)
Council Priorities | 5/1/24 - 12/31/27

Remove restrictive covenant on property purchased by the city as a neighborhood access to the Eastrail
Council Priorities | 5/1/24 - 12/31/27

Signatures of 35 property owner needed.
Council Priorities | 5/1/24 - 12/31/27

Historic Wilburton Trestle (King County Project)
Council Priorities | 6/3/24 - 9/30/27

Opening of the Wilburton Trestle and crossing under/over I-405
Council Priorities | 6/3/24 - 9/30/27

Rehabilitation of Wilburton Trestle, conversion to trail use.
Council Priorities | 6/3/24 - 9/30/27

Eastrail access at 1900 118th Ave SE/Mercer Slough (City of Bellevue project, connecting to King County-owned site)
Council Priorities | 1/2/25 - 9/30/27

Design underway for segment of missing sidewalk on west side 118th Ave SE, RRFB crossing of 118th Ave SE
Council Priorities | 1/2/25 - 9/30/27

Pedestrian and bicycle access ramp and trail between 118th Ave and Eastrail
Council Priorities | 1/2/25 - 9/30/27

Target for both is to be open in Summer 2027, in coordination with the Wilburton Trestle opening
Council Priorities | 1/2/25 - 9/30/27

Construction of the Eastrail to Mountains to Sound/I-90 Trail Connection (City of Bellevue project)
Council Priorities | 3/3/25 - 12/29/28

Design underway
Council Priorities | 3/3/25 - 12/29/28

Seeking extension of timeline for PSRC grant funding
Council Priorities | 3/3/25 - 12/29/28

Reviewing options for additional funding and/or phased implementation to address gap between funding available and current project cost estimate
Council Priorities | 3/2/26 - 12/29/28

Eastrail Crossing at SE 1st Street (King County Project)
Council Priorities | 1/2/26 - 9/30/27

Awarding construction contract.
Council Priorities | 1/2/26 - 9/30/27

King County has submitted permit application to City
Council Priorities | 1/2/26 - 9/30/27

Eastrail Segment from NE 4th Street to SE 1st Street (King County project)
Council Priorities | 1/2/26 - 9/30/27

Preliminary Design for Eastrail Connection at Main Street (City of Bellevue project)
Council Priorities | 1/2/26 - 12/31/26

Eastrail to Spring Blvd Trail Link (City of Bellevue project)
Council Priorities | 4/1/26 - 12/31/27

Construction expected to start in Q2 2026 with project open for use in 2027.
Council Priorities | 4/1/26 - 12/31/27

Design and Permitting Complete
Council Priorities | 4/1/26 - 12/31/27

Reasonable Accommodation

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