$29M for Eastrail Projects Secured in State Transportation Package
Eastrail Partners celebrates the inclusion of $29M for Eastrail projects we advocated for in “Move Ahead Washington,” the recently passed state transportation package. We thank state lawmakers for including funding for key Eastrail projects that will accelerate progress towards a fully connected Eastrail.
Celebrating a Great Year for the Eastrail!
While 2021 brought continued challenges for many, the Eastrail continued to be a place for people to come together. Eastrail Partners is proud of our work to make the Eastrail for everyone, every day. It has been a great year for the Eastrail - follow along for 2021 highlights!
State Transportation Funding Priorities for Eastrail
While so much is underway to make a fully-connected Eastrail a reality, significant gaps and funding needs remain.
Running from south to north along the corridor the following projects are the priority projects positioned for state transportation funding totaling $29 million in investments.
Eastrail Partners to Construct the Northup Connector - a Unique Public-Private Partnership to connect Eastrail and 520 Trail Corridor Connector in Bellevue
This innovative agreement will allow Eastrail Partners to manage, design and construct the Northup Connector leveraging the expertise of its board members. It also allows King County Parks the opportunity to focus its energies on other segments of Eastrail, including the Wilburton Trestle which Eastrail Partners secured the last-in $7.5M funding for in partnership with Amazon.
Eastrail Partners and Amazon Announce $7.5 million Investment in the Wilburton Area of Eastrail
Amazon and Eastrail Partners announce $7.5 million Investment in the Wilburton Area of Eastrail. Eastrail Partners celebrates this public-private partnership that fills two Eastrail funding gaps
Facebook, REI, King County Council Chair Balducci, and Eastrail Partners Announce Major Eastrail Investment
Bellevue, WA – Today REI Co-op, Facebook and King County Council Chair announced a suite of capital investments to complete the Northup Way Connector, a currently unfinished gap that will link Eastrail and the 520 Trail together and serve as a gateway into the City of Bellevue and its fast-growing Spring
District neighborhood. This news follows REI and Facebook’s September announcement of investing $1 million each in Eastrail infrastructure.
REI Co-op and Facebook Make $2 Million Investment in the Eastrail
Bellevue, WA – Today, REI Co-op and Facebook announced they will each contribute $1M in capital funds for the Eastrail. Built on a historic railroad line, the Eastrail is a trail system that runs 42 miles on the east side of Lake Washington, from Renton to Snohomish County.
Articles and News About The Eastrail
“Progress Continues on the 42-Mile Eastrail and Eastrail Trail Linkages”
“The wine country of Woodinville is just a short distance from neighboring Kirkland, but until now bicycling between these communities has been perplexingly difficult. That ride will get easier and safer when a new 2.5-mile stretch of the Eastrail bike and pedestrian trail opens later this year.”
Seattle Times Editorial: Continue Progress On New Eastside Trail
When complete, it’s expected to be the most used trail corridor on the Eastside, further connecting its largest cities and employment centers. REI and Facebook are each giving $1 million to connect Eastrail with the 520 Trail that crosses 20 feet above Eastrail, creating a ramp at Northup Way.
“New Bellevue and Woodinville Eastrail Segments Anticipated to Open in 2021”
Underway in the Eastside is an effort to unify isolated railway-turned trails into a regionally unrivaled trail. Named Eastrail in 2019, the planned trail network could eventually create an uninterrupted 42-mile trail — more than double the Burke-Gilman Trail — connecting Renton and Snohomish via Bellevue, Kirkland, and Woodinville.
Following REI’s announcement that it would not move headquarters to Bellevue from Kent, as previously reported, the company announced Sept. 14 that Facebook has bought the planned campus for $390 million.
“Woodinville section of Eastrail slated to open this summer”
The new section of trail in Woodinville will continue north from the end of the Cross Kirkland Corridor to Northeast 145th Street near Chateau Ste. Michelle winery. From there, the city of Woodinville plans to construct a trail crossing with connections to the Sammamish River Trail.
“REI Co-op completes sale of Bellevue, Washington headquarters”
SEATTLE – REI Co-op announced today that it has completed the sale of its newly completed corporate campus in the Spring District neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington, for a purchase price of $390 million.
“Rail removal this winter, trail open by end of summer 2021”
King County Parks will begin removing railroad rails this week to make way for 2.5 miles of new Eastrail that will connect Kirkland to Woodinville (View Map). Rail removal will occur in December and January, with trail construction complete by the end of summer 2021.
Eastside corporate and nonprofit support for federal project funding
The undersigned business entities and nonprofits of Lake Washington’s Eastside write to express support of federal infrastructure funding for projects on the 42-mile Eastrail corridor stretching from Renton to Snohomish, WA.