Eastrail Connection at Main Street

Travel Advisory: Lake Hills Boulevard Closure

Starting June 15, Lake Hills Boulevard is closed between 151st and 154th avenues Southeast for two months. Expect travel delays and avoid the area for non-essential travel, if possible. For the latest updates, detour maps and information on the project to reduce flooding in the area, visit Kelsey Creek Culvert.

In early 2026, the city started work to evaluate ways to create a pedestrian and bicycle connection to the Eastrail at Main Street. The Eastrail is a 42-mile regional shared-use path under development that will run north-south along the former BNSF rail corridor. Portions of trail are open, including 11 miles from NE 4th Street in Bellevue to Woodinville and four miles from Coal Creek Parkway to Kennydale/Renton. The segment of Eastrail at the Main Street alignment is expected to open by fall 2027.

The City of Bellevue is working on three projects to connect walkers, rollers and bikers to the Eastrail at Main Street, NE 12th Street and at the crossing with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trail at I-90.

Main Street Connection to the Eastrail

Eastrail Connection to Main Street — Click to Enlarge

A connection at Main Street will provide an efficient means for people walking, rolling and biking to travel between the Eastrail and south Downtown, as well as the East Main Sound Transit 2 Line station. It will also offer a gateway to the Bellevue Botanical Garden for people coming from Downtown and Wilburton.

A key challenge in developing an accessible (i.e., compliant with requirements of the Americans with Disability Act or ADA) connection is the significant elevation difference between116th Avenue to the Eastrail (~55 feet) and from the Eastrail to upper Main Street and the Bellevue Botanical Garden (~35 feet).

An existing public Right of Way (ROW) extending between 116th Avenue and the Eastrail is being evaluated for the potential to accommodate the connection for people walking, rolling and biking.

City staff are coordinating closely with King County Parks (owner of the Eastrail corridor in this area) and with other adjacent property owners.

Eastrail Connection to Main Street Arial View — Click to Enlarge

Project Timeline:

Planning: 2026-2027

January -August: Identify and evaluate alignment options; consider how the various alignment options can meet the (gentle) grade requirements of the ADA and provide an efficient and appealing experience for users. Develop cost estimates.

Fall: Public engagement and feedback solicitation. Identify preferred alignments and design concepts for each segment.

2027: Seek funding for design and construction of connection. Some local funding will likely be necessary, and the city will seek funds from external sources, including state and federal grant programs.

Implementation:

Timing to be determined. May happen in phases, with segments (e.g., 116th Avenue to Eastrail, Eastrail to upper Main Street/Botanical Garden) advancing on different timelines.

City Hall closed for Juneteenth