Eastrail Trail Corridor

February 7, 2025

The City of Woodinville is proud to announce it has been awarded a $5 million RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) federal grant, accelerating the Eastrail Trail project by at least a decade. This transformative funding will allow critical work to begin on the 1.7-mile Eastrail corridor through downtown Woodinville well ahead of its previously scheduled timeline.

The $5 million RAISE grant will fund the planning, public engagement, environmental review, permitting, and design phases of the project. The estimated total project cost is $7.1 million. The Eastrail Trail project is a critical part of the city's future and will enhance transportation options through the heart of Woodinville, creating a safer, more sustainable corridor for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized users. The funding will help move the project closer to reality, transforming it from a long-term vision into a tangible asset within the next decade. Additionally, it provides the opportunity for the City to secure construction funding earlier than expected.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) administers the RAISE program, supporting infrastructure projects that prioritize sustainability, innovation, and equity. The program is part of the federal government’s ongoing efforts to enhance transportation infrastructure across the nation. The City of Woodinville first applied for the RAISE grant in 2023, and while the application scored highly, it was not initially selected. However, after reapplying in 2024, Woodinville received the full funding requested.

The Woodinville City Council approved the execution of the grant agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) during their January 7 (2025) meeting. The City applauds its state and federal partners for their support in securing this vital funding.

Next Steps:

The next phase of the project will focus on developing a detailed scope of work. The City will initiate a competitive selection process to bring on a design consultant team, which may include engineers, architects, artists, and other specialists. This team will work to refine the project’s timeline, scope, and design, with significant public engagement planned throughout the process.

The planning phase of the Eastrail Trail project is expected to take approximately two to three years. Once the planning is complete, the City will move forward with securing additional funding for the construction phase, with the goal of completing the corridor within the next decade.

Senator Patty Murray Announces Nearly $90 Million in Funding for Washington State and the City of Woodinville
June 27, 2024

Senator Patty Murray wrote regarding the Eastrail I-90 Gap:

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Derek Kilmer (D, WA-06), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10) announced nearly $90 million in total grant funding for Washington state under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program Senator Murray established back in 2009. RAISE grants—which were originally created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as TIGER grants—can be used for a wide variety of infrastructure projects with local or regional impact. Overall, this year the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding just over $1.8 billion in total RAISE grant funding to transportation and infrastructure projects across the country. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Cantwell worked to authorize the RAISE grant program for the first time ever in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provided the program with $7.5 billion over five years, a 50 percent increase in funding.

Washington state was awarded the most grants of any state this year and received the most in total funding. Today’s awards represent the third-most Washington state has ever received in total funding for RAISE grants in a single grant year. This year’s RAISE grant awards were funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill Murray negotiated as Senate Appropriations Committee Chair and got signed into law in March, which included $345 million for RAISE grants. Washington state’s Democratic Congressional delegation helped secure $7.5 billion for the RAISE program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and have advocated strongly for Washington state’s RAISE grant applicants with the Biden administration.

“It’s a huge deal that Washington state is once again taking home the most the money of any state from the competitive RAISE grant program I created 15 years ago. Once again, our state is punching above its weight in securing these hard-fought federal dollars for transportation and infrastructure projects that will help make our communities more safe, livable, and connected,” said Senator Murray of the total RAISE grant awards announced today. “As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ll keep working hard to fund the RAISE program every year, despite tough fiscal limits because I know just how important it is that Washington state continues to benefit from this critical program.”

The following RAISE grants were awarded to projects in Washington state:

• Closing the Eastrail I-90 Gap, King County Parks — $25 million

“This major federal investment will help King County close the Eastrail I-90 gap while building out a shared use path that everyone can enjoy,” said Senator Murray. “Every inch of progress so far has been thanks to the partnership of so many: nonprofits, local government, local businesses, and—now—the federal government. Expanding these kinds of trails does so much good for our quality of life while also connecting and strengthening local economies—being able to support these important projects is exactly why I created the RAISE grant program in the first place.”

“The funds announced today are the final link connecting the north and south segments of this beautiful trail, giving Eastside residents a 42-mile pathway to walk and enjoy,” Senator Cantwell said. “This federal funding announced today represents a strong investment in community, transit, and accessibility,” Rep. Smith said. “Importantly, this new bridge will open miles of trail access between Bellevue and Renton and will be an important step to improving pedestrian access in our region. I’m grateful that the RAISE program is making this investment in our community.”

This funding will enable King County Parks to close the final gap in the 26-mile southern segment of the shared use Eastrail regional trail, by retrofitting two existing bridges and building 1.7 miles of paved trail–completing the Mountain to Sound Greenway Trail. The on-grade path will be for non-motorized use only, and will be paved, lit, and ADA accessible.

The 42-mile trail along the east side of Lake Washington runs from Renton to Snohomish. Currently, the gap requires users to navigate around I-405, 118th street and I-90 on roadways without dedicated facilities. The I-90 Segment Project will improve multi-model connections as an alternative to single-occupancy car trips, addressing climate change and transportation-related emissions, the largest contributor to air quality issues in King County. The completion of this project will also be a boon to the nearby communities of Factoria, Eastgate, and Wilburton, all of which have seen significant population and job growth in the last 10 years and will benefit from these improvements to regional recreation and infrastructure.

• Eastrail Multi-Use Trail Plan, City of Woodinville — $5 million

“Securing these federal dollars will help Woodinville get started on its portion of the Eastrail project,” said Senator Murray. “This will mean new recreation opportunities while strengthening and connecting local economies. Importantly this will connect the Eastrail project all the way up to Snohomish County—being able to support these kinds of projects that do so much to benefit smaller communities is a big part of why I established the RAISE grant program.”

“Eastrail’s expansion along Lake Washington provides a two-mile paved trail for the Woodville community, improving the quality of life and recreational opportunities for residents,” Senator Cantwell said. “I’m thrilled to see $5 million from the bipartisan infrastructure law being invested in the Woodinville section of the Eastrail,” said Congresswoman DelBene. “This RAISE grant funding will help the City complete planning for the multi-modal trail, bringing this portion of the trail closer to construction so that residents have safe, accessible paths for commuting, recreation, and transportation. I look forward to the transformative impact this project will have on our community.”

This RAISE planning grant will help the City of Woodinville complete the entire design, planning, and permitting portion of the Woodinville section of the Eastrail—an approximately 1.7-mile multi-use trail and linear park—and ensure the project is shovel-ready an estimated five to ten years earlier than anticipated. When completed, the Eastrail will be an uninterrupted 42-mile trail that will connect communities in East King and Snohomish Counties and provide the cities of Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville, Snohomish, and Redmond with new opportunities for non-motorized recreation and transportation. The portion of Eastrail that runs through downtown Woodinville is the linchpin between 175 miles of existing regional trails and the heart of the City. The new trail will serve as a catalyst to meet regional housing, economic, and transportation goals and will be a start to connecting Eastrail to other regional trails. Woodinville is expected to grow by 40 percent over the next 10 years, and this project is important to improving access and promoting economic growth.

RAISE Grants Awarded to Washington State in the Last Five Years include:

• $11.3 million for Spokane Airport’s Rail-Truck Transload Facility Project (2019)
• $17.75 million for the Port of Everett’s Mills to Maritime Cargo Terminal Project (2020)
• $7.01 million for the City of Ridgefield’s Pioneer Street Extension Project (2020)
• $5 million for the Port of Hood River’s White Salmon/Hood River Interstate Bridge Replacement Project (2020)
• $20 million for Seattle’s East Marginal Way Corridor Improvement Project (2021)
• $16 million for Longview’s Industrial Rail Corridor Expansion (IRCE) (2021)
• $2.08 million for Aberdeen’s US-12 Highway-Rail Separation Project (2021)
• $22.1 million for Snohomish County’s Granite Falls Bridge #102 (2021)
• $25 million for Lynnwood’s Poplar Way Bridge Project (2022)
• $19 million for Bothell’s Bothell Way Multimodal Improvement Project (2022)
• $21.7 million for Spokane Valley’s Pines Road/Burlington Northern Santa Fe Grade (BNSF) Separation Project (2022)
• $5 million for Pullman’s Airport Road Multimodal & Regional Access Improvements Project (2022)
• $1 million for Yakima County’s Yakima County Heritage Connectivity Trails project (2022)
• $25 million for Whatcom County’s Lummi Island Ferry Replacement and System Modernization Project (2022)
• $5 million for WSDOT’s Reconnecting I-90 Communities Project (2022)
• $9.5 million for Bell Road-BNSF Railway Grade Separation, City of Blaine (2023)
• $16.13 million for Puget Sound to Pacific Planning for Multi-use Trail, City of Port Angeles (2023)
• $1.2 million for Planning for Low-Emission Neighborhoods, City of Seattle (2023)
• $20 million for West Side Transformation: Multimodal Connections to the Shoreline South Regional Transit Hub, City of Shoreline (2023)
• $25 million for Big Quilcene River Bridge Replacement Project, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe (2023)
• $9.4 million for Port Orchard Breakwater Replacement, Port of Bremerton (2023)
• $24.98 million for Upland Village Relocation Road Project, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Reservation (2023)
• $22.8 million for Airport Drive and Spotted Road Safety and Multimodal Improvements, Spokane Airport Board (2023)
• $3.6 million for Planning for Safe and Reliable Bike, Pedestrian & Transit Access for Hood

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issues Statement on Woodinville's RAISE Grant Award
June 27, 2024

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene wrote:

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman DelBene (WA-01) announced that our region will receive $30 million in federal grant funding for two Eastrail expansion projects in King County. These projects include $25 million for King County to complete the final gap in the southern portion of the Eastrail, and $5 million for the City of Woodinville to complete planning to expand the Eastrail through the City.

“I’m thrilled to see $30 million from the bipartisan infrastructure law being invested into transportation projects that will improve our communities,” said DelBene. “This RAISE Grant funding will help move these projects forward, so that residents have safe, accessible paths for commuting, recreation, and transportation. I look forward to the transformative impact these projects will have.”

Closing the Eastrail I-90 gap will better connect King County, providing a continuous 42-mile pathway from Renton to Snohomish. This project will retrofit the I-90 steel bridge and construct nearly 2 miles of paved trail, that will include a seamless link to the Mountain to Sound Greenway Trail. It will improve accessibility for non-motorized users, reduce carbon emissions by offering an alternative to single-occupancy vehicles, and bolster local economies through enhanced recreational infrastructure.

The Woodinville section of the Eastrail is a critical link for communities in East King and Snohomish Counties, connecting Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville, Snohomish, and Redmond. This multi-use trail and linear park project will span 1.7 miles, enhancing regional connectivity and promoting non-motorized transportation. Once completed, it will integrate seamlessly with 175 miles of existing regional trails, facilitating access to the heart of Woodinville and supporting anticipated growth in the region.

“Our congressional delegation, including Congresswoman DelBene, has delivered a victory for regional trails, climate, mobility, and opportunity,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The Biden administration appreciates that investing in regional trails creates and connects sustainable, healthy communities with new access to high-capacity transit – and that’s what we will achieve with the RAISE Grant.”

“This exceptional trail requires exceptional partnership and community support to complete. RAISE funding for two Eastrail projects reflects the partnerships, enthusiasm, and support that we have been honored to help build,” said Eastrail Partners Executive Director Katherine Hollis. “Thank you to Congresswoman DelBene for getting out on the Eastrail with us and her unwavering support for the Eastrail effort.”

“We are beyond grateful to Congresswoman DelBene, Senator Murray, and our entire Congressional delegation for their support for this vision and their continued leadership to help secure a $5 million RAISE grant for Woodinville,” said Woodinville Mayor Mike Millman. “This grant supercharges the amazing work going on in downtown Woodinville. It will allow our city to move forward with a large multi-modal trail that will connect Woodinville residents and visitors to support a thriving local economy, provide for non-motorized and environmentally friendly transportation options to the entire region, and create much-needed recreational opportunities for our community. It will also build upon ongoing downtown traffic relief efforts such as the trestle widening project and new grid roads.”

The projects are being awarded Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Discretionary (RAISE) Grants, which invest in critical road, rail, transit, and port projects across the country, and are funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law.

• DelBene’s letter of support for the King County Parks Eastrail I-90 Gap project
• DelBene’s letter of support for the Woodinville Eastrail Multi-Use Trail project