Eastrail, the multi-use trail project in King County, has reached another big milestone with the upcoming opening of the Northeast Eighth Street Bridge. The announcement, made by King County Parks, marks an important moment regarding the start of the conversion of the iconic Wilburton Trestle from a railroad bridge to one supporting a multi-use trail.
The Wilburton Trestle is a historic railroad bridge slated for conversion into a vital link in the Eastrail network. This 100-foot-tall wooden structure, spanning Kelsey Creek and Southeast Eighth Street in Bellevue, was built by the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1904. It was decommissioned for train traffic in 2008, according to the City of Bellevue.
Once completed, the Wilburton Trestle will serve as the final piece in a new segment of Eastrail, facilitating a safe and convenient connection for commuters. This segment will link Mercer Slough Nature Park to the Wilburton neighborhood, traversing a new bridge crossing Interstate 405.
Funded by various stakeholders, including the voter-approved King County Parks levy, the State of Washington, Amazon, the City of Bellevue, and Kaiser Permanente, the $37 million project emphasizes a commitment to enhancing the area’s accessibility. The trestle will feature an 18-foot-wide trail with three viewing platforms.
The opening of the Northeast Eighth Street Bridge is planned for Sunday, June 23, with a public celebration. The 500-foot-long bridge will facilitate movement between Wilburton, south Bellevue, and beyond. Artistic metal cladding and artwork honoring Bellevue’s Japanese American heritage will be adorned along the structure.
Once completed, Eastrail will span 42 miles, connecting Bellevue to Renton, Kirkland, Woodinville, Snohomish, and Redmond. It currently includes 16 miles of the trail, including four in Bellevue, that are open to the public.
For those wanting to learn more about Eastrail, including the Wilburton Trestle and Northeast Eighth Street Bridge, King County Parks provides detailed information on their website.
