The Bellevue Grand Connection: I-405 Crossing – Downtown to Eastrail project, also referred to as the Grand Connection Crossing, is part of the city’s broader Grand Connection program, intended to establish a 1.5-mile activated corridor with vibrant, welcoming spaces between Meydenbauer Bay and Eastrail. The Grand Connection Crossing is the heart of the Grand Connection and the key to making downtown more accessible for all who live, work, learn or play in Bellevue.
The crossing will:
- Provide a safer crossing over I-405 by separating vehicles from people walking, biking and rolling, particularly around freeway ramps.
- Improve connectivity from downtown to the wider region by linking to 175 miles of trails, the expanding light rail system and future bus rapid transit lines.
- Offer opportunities to create great public spaces in coordination with redevelopment efforts planned for city-owned and private spaces in downtown and Wilburton.
Design Progress
Throughout 2024, the project team developed a 30% design package that includes:
- an initial design concept that reflects what community members say is important to them
- engineering and environmental requirements
- cost estimates and a schedule to finish design, determine necessary rights –of way and construct the project
After reviewing cost estimates and design options, the interdepartmental team managing the project is recommending an initial project budget of $150 to $200 million for final design, right of way and construction. The team determined this budget range is feasible and enables the city to deliver a functional and safe crossing by 2030. The crossing elements and amenities included in the 30% design can be phased in over time after the initial crossing opens.
This budget range allows the city to deliver the community’s most desired elements and amenities in that time period. The city will be able to add other elements and amenities in the 30% design package in the future in coordination with redevelopment projects for private and city-owned parcels and if additional funding becomes available. The final design will remain compatible with a lid park over I-405 that may be added in a future project phase.
In the coming months, the city will refine the initial design concept, which will then inform final engineering and project construction.
Based on input from the community about what is most important to them, these are the elements and amenities that the city aims to build by the Crossing’s anticipated opening in 2030:
- Crossing width: The crossing will be a minimum of 30 feet wide and widen up to 40 feet to cross over I-405.
- Mode separation: There will be separate paths for people walking and rolling to improve safety for all users.
- Landscaping: Landscaping will be incorporated along the entire crossing.
- Gathering space: There will be gathering space at either end of the crossing. In addition, the city will coordinate with adjacent private development to provide additional public space.
- Vertical connections: There will be one mid-crossing public access point with an elevator and stairway.
- City Hall Plaza: The existing plaza will be modified to accommodate public gathering and improved access for those biking, walking and rolling to and from the crossing.
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Timeline
- 2025
- Refinement of 30% design and funding strategy
- City Council directed staff to advance a final 30% design option aligned with a project budget of $150-200 million that can accommodate 10,000 weekday users in 2044 and includes the community’s most desired amenities.
- 2024
- 30% design activities
- Presentation of 30% preliminary design concept: Consultant presented the city with a wide range of design options with varying levels of amenities, mobility benefits and costs for the city to consider.
- Community Engagement: Surveys and/or in-person discussions with community members at community events and three open houses. Community members shared how they would like to use the crossing and which amenities will make them feel safe and welcome. Where feasible, the design team used this feedback to inform the design concepts.
- Environmental and engineering analysis: Analysis completed that established the crossing’s alignment, outlined recommended engineering and construction methods, and completed initial environmental reviews.
- 2023
- Project kick-off
- Amazon donated funds for additional design work to support the Grand Connection vision. With matching funding from the city’s Capital Investment Program (CIP), Bellevue Transportation Department selected WSP through a competitive selection to develop the 30% preliminary design of the crossing.
- 2021-2022
- Initial feasibility and concept studies
- Amazon funded early work to develop a concept for a future I-405 Crossing and donated the outcomes of this work to the city.
Funding
- The 30% design was funded by a $2.5 million contribution from Amazon and approximately $3.6 million in City CIP funds, including the design contract and staff time.
- The Council appropriated an additional $15 million in the 2025-26 budget to continue design work.
- The city is developing the funding strategy for the $150-200 million required to finish design and build the initial crossing by 2030.
Get involved
More information on this developing project and on how to get involved will be shared in advance of major milestones. For more information and to sign up for email or text alerts, select “Subscribe” under Alerts.
Local businesses and non-profits interested in learning more about the regional stakeholder group championing this work can learn more at the Friends of the Grand Connection.
Project Documents
- Structural Type, Size and Location Report
- Appendix A: Preliminary Drawings & Exhibits
- Appendix B: Quantity & Cost Estimate Calculations
- Appendix C: Bridge Structure Basis of Design (BOD)
- Appendix D: As-Built Plans
- Appendix E: Public Engagement Plans & Reports
- Appendix F: Alternative Alignment Report
- Appendix G: Transportation Technical Report
- Appendix H: Additional Technical Reports
- Alignment Alternatives Report
- Feasibility Study
Outreach Materials
- 30% Design Engagement Summary (December 2024)
- In-person Open House Summary (May 2024)
- Online Open House Summary (March 2024)
- Design Charette Summary (December 2023)
- Concept Plan
Please note that assumptions, renderings and designs included in these documents are purely conceptual renderings and meant for discussion purposes only. Further engineering, site planning, environmental analysis and other work will be necessary to determine the viability of these concepts and design a preferred alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Grand Connection Crossing be complete?
The initial delivery of the crossing that includes connectivity from City Hall Plaza to Eastrail is anticipated to open by 2030. Projects to incorporate additional amenities or advance the future park lid will be evaluated in the coming years.
How will the city deliver this project?
The city is planning to use a general contractor/construction manager delivery approach. This approach has been used by many government agencies in Washington, but is used less frequently in Bellevue. The process requires additional upfront steps under state law, including approval by the state Capital Projects Advisory Review Board’s Project Review Committee.
To maximize the benefits of the model, the city will need to bring on additional contractors and finalize funding plans much earlier than in traditional methods. Staff are currently developing a series of Requests for Proposals for the additional external support. To prepare and be notified when an RFP is issued, please register and upload an SOQ at the city’s contracting portal Public Purchase.
How much will this project cost?
Staff have proposed a budget of $150-200 million which includes all remaining design work, property acquisition and construction of the initial Crossing.
How is this project being funded?
The city is assessing available funding sources across sectors and levels of government, as well as private individual & corporate philanthropic supporters to develop the financial strategy for the initial crossing.
To date, Amazon has contributed funding for initial concept and feasibility studies and $2.5 million for preliminary design work. Bellevue has allocated $18.6 million from city CIP funds between 2023-2026.