Eastside Rail Corridor Purchase Approved by King County

The King County Council voted unanimously Monday to purchase a 15.6-mile portion of the Eastside Rail Corridor from the Port of Seattle for $15.8 million.

According to a news release, the county will have three years to pay the purchase price and, in exchange, will receive a fee ownership of 15.6 miles of the corridor and an easement ownership over an additional 3.6 miles.

The legislation, proposed by County Executive Dow Constantine in August, coincides with the City of Redmond's plans to build a 3.9-mile linear park along a portion of the former rail line that was purchased by the city in 2010, as well as Kirkland’s recent acquisition of part of the line there.

The Eastside Rail Corridor runs from Snohomish to Renton along former Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks through the cities of Woodinville, Kirkland and Bellevue. Also included in the purchase agreement is a seven-mile spur between Woodinville and Redmond.

The county council envisions the Eastside Rail Corridor serving as a recreational trail for cyclists and pedestrians that would connect with other regional trails, such as the Sammamish River Trail in Redmond and Woodinville and the I-90 Trail in Bellevue. Light rail is also planned for a large segment of the corridor.

“This corridor is poised to become an important transportation link among Eastside suburbs,” council member Kathy Lambert of Redmond stated in a news release at the time of the purchase proposal.

Meanwhile, preliminary work has begun on the Redmond Central Connector, a linear park that will run through downtown Redmond on the former rail line. The project will include a paved path for bicyclists and pedestrians as well as interactive art pieces.

The first phase, a one-mile segment between the Bear Creek Trail and Sammamish River Trail that's projected to cost $3.9 million, is expected to wrap up construction sometime next year.

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Related coverage:

Kirkland Council OKs Historic Rail Purchase

Sound Transit Secures Easements for Future East Link Rail Access

City Officials Unveil Final Plans for Redmond Central Connector