Grand Connection Crossing – Online Open House
Help build on past community input and a recent design workshop to make the Grand Connection Crossing a great public space and destination for all Bellevue residents, visitors and regional commuters. This online open house is the first of three opportunities to share input that will inform the preliminary design of the Grand Connection Crossing.
About the Grand Connection Crossing
The Grand Connection program is 1.5 miles of interconnected public and pedestrian-focused spaces. It starts at Meydenbauer Bay Park and continues east through downtown Bellevue across I-405 to the Eastrail. It will be a place where people who live, work and play in Bellevue can walk, bike, roll, relax, gather, eat and shop. In addition to creating a great experience for people, the Grand Connection will enhance Bellevue’s livability, economic development and environmental sustainability.
The next element of the Grand Connection is the crossing over I-405—the Grand Connection Crossing, which will link downtown Bellevue to the Eastrail and Wilburton for people traveling without a car.
The Grand Connection Crossing will start at the City Hall Plaza and terminate at the Eastrail, ultimately tying downtown Bellevue into a 175-mile regional trail network that connects more than half a million Eastside residents. The Grand Connection Crossing will support the transformation of the Wilburton study area into Bellevue’s next urban mixed-use community, where improved amenities, greater livability, opportunities for healthy living and economic vitality will serve the needs of a diverse and growing population. This crossing will also be compatible with a future lid park over I-405, which is a long-range vision included in the city’s Grand Connection Framework Plan.
Click image to enlarge When complete, the crossing will enable people of all ages and abilities to safely and conveniently access a network events, jobs and recreational opportunities beyond the downtown core, and will create a vibrant landmark with activated outdoor spaces that celebrate and serve the community.What’s Happened So Far
Between 2021-2022, Amazon funded development of a concept plan and feasibility study for a possible crossing over I-405. In early December 2023, the city held a workshop to gather initial input from City of Bellevue staff; key partners such as Sound Transit, WSDOT and King County; Friends of Grand Connection and adjacent property owners. Participants were asked a series of questions to get their feedback on what this crossing needs to accomplish. For more details, a summary of the workshop, “Design Workshop Summary” is available using the link on the righthand toolbar.
Initial Design Workshop – Key Themes | |
|---|---|
 | Celebrate, honor and welcome Bellevue’s diversity |
 | Invite and welcome people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities and encourage them to gather, recreate and linger |
 | Increase accessibility to nearby retail and commercial areas |
 | Create opportunities for public art, community events, festivals and performances |
 | Ensure all users feel safe and comfortable using the crossing |
 | Plan for future mobility needs (e.g., electric scooters) |
What’s Happening Next
Please review the information provided here, take the survey, share your input on the ideas board and sign up for project updates. After this online open house is closed, the city will report back and share how your input is being considered and addressed in the design. Subscribe for project alerts on the right-hand side of this page to receive an update when the open house summary report is available.
The input received at this online open house will be used to inform development of project alternatives, which will be shared at an in-person open house in April/May 2024.
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We invite you to share your thoughts on similar crossings designed for people walking, biking and rolling from around the country. Tell us what you think!
What do you like about these examples?
What lessons should the city take from these examples in designing the Grand Connection Crossing?
Please share an image or name of a public pedestrian path or trail that shows what you would like to see in Bellevue. What lessons should the city take from this facility or image?
Tacoma Glass Bridge, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.A., Source: Jeanne Acutanza
View All Ideas2 months ago
Sound Conscious Design
This is a part of Cycle Highway Nijmegen - Beuningen South in the Netherlands. Not only is it separated from motor vehicle traffic, the infrastructure is designed in such a way through the use of berms, etc. that people who are walking and biking are not exposed to the sound of the highway and cars. This is critical because the loud sound levels that comes with being exposed to highways significantly worsens the user experience & makes it less accessible for the elderly, youth, etc. This sort of recessed design is much more conducive to lower volume levels then a bridge. This could be combined with a sort of recessed linear park like what has been done in Seoul like another commenter suggested. While a bridge is maybe easier to implement, with proper construction planning practices and design a tunnel could be equally quick, similarly priced, and result in a vastly better user experience.
2 months ago
This photo shows a pedestrian bridge in Seoul, South Korea with transparent walls on each side of the walkway.
What I really like about this design is the tall transparent walls along each side of the walkway. I often walk across I-405 on NE 10TH Avenue and the noise from the freeway below is surprisingly loud and very unpleasant. I hope you will consider the idea of using some kind of transparent barrier for the portion over I-405 to mitigate the freeway noise.
about 2 months ago
Bridge Park
Similar to 11th Street Bridge Park, Washington DC
about 2 months ago
Connection to Downtown Park / Minimization of car space
I think if possible the route should be expanded to connect to the downtown park - and any other green spaces as applicable. I also think it's important to minimize driving space - for instance see Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston where the design emphasis is clearly on pedestrian space.
2 months ago
Bellevue: City in a Park
I love the visible greenery in the photos of New York's High Line Park and Austin's Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge and the clear blue sky above Tacoma's Glass Bridge. Bellevue has long been known as a city in a park, and indeed, many residents were drawn here for the "beautiful view." As one crosses into downtown Bellevue, these views give way to skyscrapers and busy streets. By using natural elements such as wood and stone, this bridge could highlight, celebrate, and draw attention to the natural history and landscape of the area and create a sense of balance and harmony. Here is another view of the High Line. The wooden bridge and plants balance out the busy city setting.
Who's Listening
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Phone 425-452-4230 Email jan@bellevuewa.gov -
Phone 425-452-6995 Email lmilstead@bellevuewa.gov
Design Workshop Report
ADA/Title VI statement
