What's up With Eastrail?

What's Up With Eastrail? A Look at the Past, Present, and Future

What is Eastrail?

Eastrail may be the Eastside’s most ambitious project yet. The projected 42-mile corridor will boast an uninterrupted stretch of trail, inviting locals to immerse themselves in their natural surroundings and connecting the communities of Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville, Redmond, and Snohomish. The Eastrail was designed with safety and accessibility in mind --a goal to welcome people from all walks of life looking to get outside and commute in a new way.

The trail itself is wide, flat, and surrounded by greenery. Eastrail works in a myriad of ways: it provides access to public transit options and greenspace, boosts positive health outcomes for users, and promotes economic growth. With more than 15 miles of trail now open, the scope of the vision only continues to widen. Eastrail Partners’ Executive Director Katherine Hollis assures that each portion of the trail is thoughtfully and intentionally planned to create a seamless visitor experience. She is excited that the public can continue to look forward to lots of new development designed to foster a more sustainable future.

One of the largescale goals of the Eastrail project, among many, is to create a fully connected trail spanning from Renton to Snohomish. While this stretch in its entirety has yet to be fully realized, Hollis is elated with how much has been accomplished in just five years. When asked if she’s satisfied with the trail’s progress, she lights up.

“It succeeded with flying colors,” she said. “The Eastrail is really unique and ambitious – within its scope, there are many public and private entities. Watching them all come together into a multiuse corridor has turned an idea into reality in four years.”

Eastrail's Past, Present, and Future

Since BDA's last coverage on Eastrail, big things have happened. The project has received over $43 million in public and private sector funding with support coming from all corners of Washington. Kirkland’s Totem Lake Connector bridge opened in summer of 2023 and Bellevue’s Northup Connector opened in winter of 2023. Recently, the historic Wilburton Trestle broke ground as the development for a 1,000-foot-long trail bridge began. This monumental occasion pays homage to the hard workers who built the railway trestle over 100 years ago with the same hope of connecting Eastside residents. By 2026, the Eastside can expect the unveiling of this beautiful and functional crossing with views of downtown Bellevue and the Olympic mountains.

For the Bellevue community, the Eastrail project is looking to close the gap and invite trail and transit users alike directly into the heart of the city. Soon, people will be able to travel all the way to NE 4^th St in Bellevue. The 405 Overcrossing has begun construction and is projected to open by summer of 2026. This will allow Bellevue residents to safely cross over SE 8^th and I-405 to connect the bike lanes on 118^th near the Mercer Slough.

Locals can also look forward to the opening of the NE 8^th Overcrossing on June 23^rd at the new Wilburton 2 Line station. The event will feature an unveiling of new art installations honoring the historical connection of the Japanese-American community to the region. Soon, the 2 Line will also connect to the Eastrail via the downtown Redmond station and Rapid Ride stations in Kirkland.

With summer approaching and more people taking advantage of what the trail has to offer, Katherine Hollis recommended some quick stops along the trail to cool off and take a dip. Kennydale Beach park in Renton, Newcastle Beach Park in Bellevue, the splash pad at Feriton Spur Park in Kirkland, and the splash zone at Downtown Redmond park are all directly adjacent to Eastrail. Locals can also look forward to the organization’s second annual summer concert series in Kirkland. They are partnering with local community groups, musicians, and eateries to create an unforgettable experience for concert patrons.

“It’s not just local – it’s a regional asset,” Hollis says. “The Eastrail thinks so much bigger than just the Eastside.”

Want to learn more about the future of Eastrail? Check out their website for user-friendly maps, event pages, and project updates.