The Grand Connection Crossing
The Grand Connection Crossing, targeted for completion in late 2029, will provide the only bridge across I-405 in Bellevue dedicated for use by pedestrians and cyclists, vastly increasing safety and improving the mobility experience of residents and visitors alike. Significantly, the Crossing will give downtown Bellevue residents safe access to 175 miles of regional trails. It also opens downtown Bellevue to those living elsewhere who use the regional trail system.
The Crossing will also act as a “linear park” by providing increased opportunities for place-making, community engagement and public art installation.
The Crossing is a key element in the City of Bellevue’s Grand Connection initiative to improve the pedestrian experience from Meydenbauer Bay Park on Lake Washington through downtown Bellevue and across I-405 to the EasTrail and the Wilburton community. The project is a public/private partnership funded by a combination of corporate investment, government funding and individual giving.
The Grand Connection Crossing Route
The Grand Connection Crossing will link Bellevue’s public spaces and business districts along a bike/pedestrian bridge and linear park with easy access to surrounding neighborhoods, community trails and transit hubs.
The Crossing connects the dots between existing public infrastructure, up-and-coming development zones, and exciting new community assets. Most of all, the Grand Connection will create something more than the sum of its parts: an iconic, interconnected and safe pedestrian experience providing access to the best Bellevue has to offer, from parks and public spaces to shopping and dining to working/living.
Why Build the Grand Connection Crossing?
Unlock Real Estate Value
By improving connectivity across I-405, the Grand Connection Crossing will catalyze real estate development east of downtown in Wilburton to support the city’s next phase of growth. Streetscape improvements and activation along the Grand Connection Corridor will amplify the attractiveness of downtown, spur infill development, and grow its local destinations and amenities.
Enhance Journey to Work Connections
The Grand Connection Crossing will provide a safe, compelling pedestrian and bicycle connection between downtown and Wilburton with a direct link to Eastrail. Enhanced mobility brings benefits for residents, workers, and visitors commuting in and out of the area, bolstering the attractiveness of downtown as a place to work and of Eastrail-connected communities as places to live. Together, the Crossing and Corridor will improve mobility through downtown from Wilburton to Meydenbauer Bay.
Strengthen the City and Region’s Brand
The design excellence of the Grand Connection Crossing and compelling programming of the Corridor can make Bellevue an increasingly desirable location within the metropolitan region and strengthen the Puget Sound region’s competitiveness among peers, attracting new and retaining current residents, employees, and employers.