In incredibly rare news, two Eastrail projects have received federal grant funding that will further important Eastrail projects in King County:

• $5M for Planning the trail in Woodinville
• $25M for Retrofitting and Construction of the I90 Gap Project in Bellevue

Years of awareness building and partnered advocacy have created momentum that simply couldn’t be ignored! It is rare for two projects from the same effort to get funding in the same year, and often projects need to reapply for a number of years before they are successful.

The I90 Steel Bridge in Bellevue, WA

Thank you to Washington Senators Murray and Cantwell for championing these projects, and to Representatives DelBene, Smith, and Schrier for their support.

These RAISE grants bolster $3.6M Community Partnerships Funds secured by Congresswoman DelBene with strong support from Senator Cantwell for Eastrail projects in Redmond and Woodinville.

The start of Woodinville Section of Eastrail

Congratulations and thanks to our governmental partners at King County, including Eastrail champion Councilmember Claudia Balducci, the City of Woodinville, and the Eastrail Regional Advisory Council. These projects also were championed by City of Bellevue, City of Renton, and the Washington State Legislature.

As the nonprofit unifying and catalyzing the Eastrail effort, Eastrail Partners brought together lawmakers and legislative staff to experience the trail and demonstrate the impact Eastrail will have when fully connected. We’ve partnered with community groups and shared community stories that bring this effort to life; walked and biked with decision makers; and engaged corporate voices in support of these projects.

Thank you to the many Eastside-focused entities who submitted letters of support: Amazon, Bellevue Chamber, Bellevue Downtown Association, Evergreen Health, KG Investment Properties, REI, Seahawks, Seattle Children’s Hospital, SRM Development, T-Mobile, and Wright Runstad.

And the many nonprofit partners who supported these applications: 4Culture, Cascade Bicycle Club, Eastside for All, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, Move Redmond, Outdoors for All, Peace Peloton, Renton Regional Community Foundation, Transportation Choices, and Washington Trails Association.

This exceptional trail requires exceptional community support and partnership to complete. This funding shows the exemplary partnerships, enthusiasm, and support that Eastrail Partners is honored to help build.

Eastrail advocates and local and regional lawmakers on a section of the I90 Gap project

Read More:

“Washington To Get Nearly $90 Million in Infrastructure Investments Through RAISE Grant Program Created by Murray—Most Awarded to Any State” – Office of Senator Patty Murray

“A victory for regional trails, climate, mobility, and opportunity” – King County Executive Constantine and the Department of Natural Resources and Parks

“DelBene Announces $30 Million for Eastrail Expansion Projects in King County” – Office of Congresswoman Susan DelBene

“Project to Close I-90 Eastrail Gap Gets Federal Funding Boost” – 425 Magazine

“Woodinville Awarded $5 million in Federal Funds for Eastrail Corridor” – City of Woodinville

“Feds Grant $30 Million to Finish Eastrail’s Final Gaps” – The Urbanist