Summary
A unique capital project that is converting the 122-year-old Wilburton Trestle into a scenic trail bridge for Eastrail in Bellevue has reached a major milestone.
News
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined partners for a tour of a unique capital project that is transforming the 1,000-foot-long Wilburton Trestle in Bellevue – the longest wooden trestle in the Pacific Northwest – into a trail bridge for the emerging 42-mile Eastrail.
Crews are now installing the 20-foot-wide trail surface, railing, and three expansive viewing platforms atop the 122-year-old trestle. They are also replacing deteriorated wood and hardware while reinforcing the pillars with modern safety upgrades that will make it more resilient during earthquakes.
Once complete next year, the 100-foot-tall Wilburton Trestle is expected to be among the most popular segments of Eastrail, offering scenic views of the Bellevue skyline with connections to other regional trails and Sound Transit’s Wilburton Station.
“We’ve reached a major milestone for an ambitious project that is converting the iconic Wilburton Trestle into a scenic trail bridge for all to experience,” said Executive Zahilay. “I am grateful for the coalition of public- and private-sector partners – and the voter-approved King County Parks Levy – for making this inspiring transformation possible, repurposing King County’s past for a new generation to enjoy.”
Transforming Wilburton Trestle is a major milestone for Eastrail, a formerly active railroad corridor that partners are transforming into an uninterrupted paved trail that connects South King County to Eastside cities and Snohomish County with a spur to Redmond. The regional trail will connect to four of Sound Transit’s 2 Line stations and Stride bus rapid transit.
A coalition of public- and private-sector funding partners to transform Wilburton Trestle for a new generation
The $43.5 million Wilburton Trestle project has multiple public- and private-sector funding sources:
- $27 million from the King County Parks Levy
- $9 million from the state, administered by WSDOT, with $6 million generated by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act
- $5 million from Amazon, in addition to $2.5 million for the nearby Wilburton Trestle Segment north of the trestle
- $2 million from the City of Bellevue
- $500,000 from Kaiser Permanente Washington
“Amazon is proud to partner with King County on this iconic project, transforming a unique piece of our regional history into a permanent community asset for everyone,” said David Zaplosky, Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer at Amazon. “Strong public-private partnerships make projects like the Wilburton Trestle possible, and make our region a great place to live, work, and visit. We can’t wait for this part of Eastrail to open and serve generations to come.”
“Eastrail is already showing what modern urban trails can do. Open segments are attracting trail-facing development, improving regional connectivity, and giving people a real transportation option that doesn’t depend on a car. At the same time, it’s become a place people genuinely use and enjoy for walking, biking, and getting outside all of which are essential to physical and mental health,” said Joe Impecoven, Gov. Bob Ferguson’s Policy Advisor for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. “The Wilburton Trestle adds something special to that experience. It turns an iconic piece of regional history into a destination, while strengthening a corridor that’s already proving how much value a trail like this can bring to communities across the region.”
“Seeing the progress on this project is incredibly energizing<” said Stephanie Lizza, Senior Director of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente Washington. “By investing in trails and public greenspaces, we’re supporting the overall health of our community and making it easier for people to stay active and connected to care at our eastside medical centers.”
“The Wilburton Trestle will be a pinnacle of our King County regional trail system, providing access to stunning views and expanding regional connectivity via the Eastrail from Renton to Snohomish County, as well as through Bellevue’s Grand Connection project to everything the second largest city in King County has to offer and more,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “It will complete a decades long vision that began with Executive Ron Sims and has been carried forward by generations of county and local leaders, to truly knit our region together through healthy transportation facilities while creating an extraordinary linear park for everyone to enjoy.”
“The reconstruction and repurposing of the Wilburton Trestle builds on our past while making way for our future,” said King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “Restoring this historic landmark will help connect communities along the I-405 corridor and create more opportunities for people to get outside, stay active, and experience our region in new ways. This project is a great example of how we can honor our history while investing in a more connected and accessible King County.”
“The Wilburton Trestle will be a landmark destination, inspiring everyone who experiences it — just as it did for me today,” said Nate Caminos, Board President of Eastrail Partners. “It also brings us one step closer to completing the 42-mile Eastrail, connecting Renton to Snohomish. The trestle will provide a safe, separated space for people to walk, bike, and roll, while closing a critical gap in our regional trail network. By linking residents across South King County and the Eastside to jobs, businesses, transit, and premier destinations it will expand access and opportunity throughout the region. Eastrail Partners looks forward to continuing our work with public and private partners to deliver a world-class trail for everyone, every day.”
King County Parks – one of four divisions at the Department of Natural Resources and Parks – selected Kraemer North America for the construction project.
Resources
Quotes
“We’ve reached a major milestone for an ambitious project that is converting the iconic Wilburton Trestle into a scenic trail bridge for all to experience. I am grateful for the coalition of public- and private-sector partners – and the voter-approved King County Parks Levy – for making this inspiring transformation possible, repurposing King County’s past for a new generation to enjoy.”
GIRMAY ZAHILAY
King County Executive
“The Wilburton Trestle will be a pinnacle of our King County regional trail system, providing access to stunning views and expanding regional connectivity via the Eastrail from Renton to Snohomish County, as well as through Bellevue’s Grand Connection project to everything the second largest city in King County has to offer and more. It will complete a decades long vision that began with Executive Ron Sims and has been carried forward by generations of county and local leaders, to truly knit our region together through healthy transportation facilities while creating an extraordinary linear park for everyone to enjoy.”
Claudia Balducci
King County Councilmember and Co-Chair of Eastrail Regional Advisory Council
“The reconstruction and repurposing of the Wilburton Trestle builds on our past while making way for our future. Restoring this historic landmark will help connect communities along the I-405 corridor and create more opportunities for people to get outside, stay active, and experience our region in new ways. This project is a great example of how we can honor our history while investing in a more connected and accessible King County.”
Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
“Eastrail is already showing what modern urban trails can do. Open segments are attracting trail-facing development, improving regional connectivity, and giving people a real transportation option that doesn’t depend on a car. At the same time, it’s become a place people genuinely use and enjoy for walking, biking, and getting outside all of which are essential to physical and mental health. The Wilburton Trestle adds something special to that experience. It turns an iconic piece of regional history into a destination, while strengthening a corridor that’s already proving how much value a trail like this can bring to communities across the region.”
Joe Impecoven
Policy Advisor for Recreation & Tourism at Office of the Governor
“Amazon is proud to partner with King County on this iconic project, transforming a unique piece of our regional history into a permanent community asset for everyone. Strong public-private partnerships make projects like the Wilburton Trestle possible, and make our region a great place to live, work, and visit. We can’t wait for this part of Eastrail to open and serve generations to come.”
David Zapolsky
Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer at Amazon
“Seeing the progress on this project is incredibly energizing. By investing in trails and public greenspaces, we’re supporting the overall health of our community and making it easier for people to stay active and connected to care at our eastside medical centers.”
Stephanie Lizza
Senior Director of Community Health at Kaiser Permanente Washington
“The Wilburton Trestle will be a landmark destination, inspiring everyone who experiences it — just as it did for me today. It also brings us one step closer to completing the 42-mile Eastrail, connecting Renton to Snohomish. The trestle will provide a safe, separated space for people to walk, bike, and roll, while closing a critical gap in our regional trail network. By linking residents across South King County and the Eastside to jobs, businesses, transit, and premier destinations it will expand access and opportunity throughout the region. Eastrail Partners looks forward to continuing our work with public and private partners to deliver a world-class trail for everyone, every day.”
Nate Caminos
Board President of Eastrail Partners
Contact
Eleanor Lee, King County Parks