Eastrail

Wilburton Trestle

Project Schedule: Construction started May 2024. Anticipated opening summer 2026.

Cost: $37 Million.

Overview

King County will transform the historic Wilburton Trestle in Bellevue into a stunning elevated trail that can be enjoyed by commuters, cyclists, runners and pedestrians. The century-old trestle – the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest – is expected to be one of the most popular segments of the Eastrail.

The new 18 feet wide trail across the Trestle will include the addition of several viewing platforms to take in the sights and view Kelsey Creek which runs under the structure.

The 1,000 feet long wooden trestle, built in 1904 by Northern Pacific Railway, contributed to the economic growth of the region, first used by trains to haul locally logged timber to mills and ports and later serving, among other uses, as a transportation corridor for airplane fuselages to Boeing’s Renton facility.

Project Funders

• King County Parks Levy - $20.5 million
• Amazon - $5 million + $2.5 million for nearby Wilburton Trail Segment
• Washington State - $9 million. Includes $6 million from Climate Commitment Act*
• City of Bellevue - $2 million
• Kaiser Permanente - $500,000

*The Wilburton Trestle Eastrail transformation is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

I-90 Bridge Trail Segment

Project Schedule: Project design 2025-2028. Construction 2028-2030. Anticipated opening 2030.

Cost: Estimated $49M (2029 dollars)

Overview

King County Parks is designing and will construct a 1.7-mile segment of the Eastrail to cross the I-90 highway. This project will close the final gap of the southern segment of the Eastrail and reconnect communities north and south of the I-90 highway. The project includes;

• 1.7 miles of paved trail, including signage, lighting, and seating at select locations.

• Retrofit of the existing steel bridge over fourteen lanes of the I-90 highway and wooden trestle bridge over 32nd Street.

• Trail access to/from 32nd Street, connecting with the City of Bellevue’s Mountain to Sound connector.

Project Funders

• Move Ahead Washington Grant - $12 million
• Federal RAISE Grant - $25 million – RAISE Grant website
• King County Levy - $2 million
• Local Funds - $1.1 million

Central Wilburton Trail Segment 

Project Schedule: Project design 2024-2025. Construction 2025-2026. Anticipated opening 2026.

Cost: $2.5 Million

Overview

King County Parks is designing and will construct a 0.65-mile segment of the Eastrail in Bellevue’s Wilburton neighborhood. The Central Wilburton interim gravel trail will connect the NE 8th Street Pedestrian bridge and Central Wilburton Sound Transit station, with the historic Wilburton Trestle. The project includes;

• Removal of existing rails and ties
• Construction of 0.65 of gravel interim trail
• An improved crossing at SE 1st street including painted crossing, and pedestrian activated signals, and signage.

This project will meet King County standards for “interim” use and be developed as a paved trail as part of a future project. This segment will play a key role in the development of the Wilburton neighborhood, as outlined in the 2023 Eastrail Wilburton Framework Plan. The timeline and budget for paving this portion of trail has not yet been identified.

Project Funders

• Amazon - $2.5 Million