Eastrail Trail Corridor
Project Overview
The Eastrail Trail Corridor Project is a transformative investment in Woodinville’s future, repurposing a dormant 1.9-mile rail line into a vibrant multi-use trail and linear park that winds through the heart of the city.
Once complete, this segment will link Woodinville to the 42-mile Eastrail network, connecting Renton to Snohomish and providing access to the Sammamish River Trail and future Centennial Trail extension.
Beginning at Wilmot Gateway Park, the corridor will travel north through downtown to the city limits providing the community with a new space to reconnect with neighbors, nature, and the City itself.
To bring this vision to life, the City is advancing two foundational infrastructure projects:
- 133rd Avenue NE Extension and Roundabout – Adds a new grid road, roundabout, and pedestrian tunnel improving traffic circulation and providing safer access across the corridor.
- SR 202 Widening and Trestle Replacement – Introduces a signature pedestrian bridge over the highway, offering a safe, elevated crossing and a striking new gateway into downtown.
These projects will build the first 0.33 miles of trail setting the stage for future phases of design and construction.
The Eastrail Trail Corridor represents a new kind of civic infrastructure that supports health, resilience, and belonging. By inviting active transportation, reducing congestion, and creating beautiful public spaces, it reflects Woodinville’s vision for a more connected and sustainable future.
Key Benefits
- A Safer Downtown Connection: New connections and crossings will provides grade-separated access to neighborhoods, businesses, and regional trails.
- Improved Traffic Circulation: Transportation system improvements like roundabouts will reduce congestion for drivers, buses, freight, and emergency services.
- More Access to Transit and Nature: Walkable links to transit and green space help reduce emissions and promote healthier travel options.
- Healthier Communities: The trail encourages walking, biking, and outdoor play for residents of all ages and abilities.
- Boost to Local Economy: Increases foot traffic, supports businesses, and improves access to jobs and services.
- Inclusive Infrastructure: Fully ADA-compliant design ensures accessibility for all, including people with disabilities and underserved populations.
- Cleaner Environment: New stormwater systems and flood mitigation improve water quality and strengthen climate resilience.
Reclaiming the Past, Building the Future
The Eastrail Trail Corridor is more than a transportation project—it’s transformation. By converting a long-dormant rail corridor into a public linear park and regional trail connection, the City is unlocking 27 acres of centrally located land for community use, active mobility, and environmental restoration.
Where boxcars once rumbled through town, the trail will invite people of all ages to walk, roll, or ride. Formerly a barrier dividing parts of the community, the corridor will become a thread that stitches neighborhoods together. Once vacant infrastructure will soon host gardens, native plants, and gathering spaces that welcome the future generations of Woodinville residents.
Grounded in history, this project is designed for the future.
Project Background & Vision
In 2015, the City of Woodinville acquired nearly two miles of abandoned railroad right-of-way creating a unique opportunity to develop a connected, safe, and multifunctional public space in the City's core.
The Eastrail Trail Corridor Project is envisioned as a linear park that prioritizes mobility, safety, and placemaking. While early work focused on preparing the site for development, the project is now moving into design and planning for key improvements including new crossings, drainage, and public amenities.
The linear park and trail will serve as a community front yard winding through downtown, with opportunities for recreational features such as playgrounds, fitness zones, splash pads, natural areas, and gathering spaces. The corridor will also provide safe routes for people walking, biking, or using wheelchairs, and will connect directly to regional transportation and trail systems.
Growing with Purpose
The Eastrail corridor is a catalyst for intentional growth. As land use patterns shift along the northern segment of the trail, parcels currently zoned for light industrial are beginning to transition toward mixed-use development. This includes new housing opportunities—both market-rate and affordable—paired with retail, office, and civic space.
The trail’s presence adds a high-value amenity to this evolving district, increasing walkability and making Woodinville more attractive to residents and employers alike. For local businesses, the trail improves visibility and foot traffic. For developers, it offers a blueprint for sustainable, community-serving growth.
South of the trail, the project enhances access to agricultural areas, wineries, and tourism destinations supporting Woodinville’s identity as a regional hub for food and culture.
Community-Driven Design
This trail is being designed with—and for—the community. From the very beginning, public engagement has been central to shaping the corridor’s identity, amenities, and priorities.
Community members, local organizations, and tribal governments are all playing a role in determining how this space should function. This includes input on:
- Public art and corridor branding
- Types of park features and recreational zones
- Design of crossings, gateways, and gathering spaces
- Wayfinding, safety features, and environmental stewardship
The City is committed to inclusive outreach to youth, seniors, people with disabilities, and historically underserved populations. Events like walking tours, school presentations, pop-up studios, and digital surveys will be used to ensure broad participation.
Community feedback will directly inform the concept design and help define the values that guide how the corridor takes form.
A Future Pollinator Pathway
As the trail takes shape, it also opens up a rare opportunity: to create an urban ecological space that supports pollinators and restores natural habitat. The linear nature of the corridor makes it a prime candidate for a pollinator pathway, a connected series of native plantings that provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and other essential species.
By incorporating pollinator-friendly landscaping, native trees and shrubs, and climate-resilient stormwater features, the corridor can become a biodiverse ribbon that benefits both people and planet. This vision aligns with the City’s sustainability goals and creates hands-on opportunities for environmental education, stewardship, and beautification.
In a changing climate, projects like this show how infrastructure can not only move people but also heal landscapes, strengthen ecosystems, and tell stories about resilience.
What’s Next?
The City is currently selecting design consultants and preparing to begin early-stage planning. Over the next year, residents will have opportunities to help shape the vision for the corridor, from trail design to public space features.
The trail and corridor amenities will be constructed in phases, starting with the southern segment near NE 175th Street and extending northward. The exact timing of construction depends on funding, permitting, and phasing strategies developed during the design process.
As the project advances, the City will share regular updates with the public and City Council to track progress, refine design concepts, and align funding efforts with implementation goals.
Stay Informed
The City is committed to keeping the community engaged and informed. Here’s how you can stay connected:
- Check this webpage for regular updates
- Subscribe to City newsletters and alerts
- Attend public events or open houses
- Look for on-site signage and announcements as project advances