Bellevue residents who walk, bike, or commute through downtown will get a dedicated freeway crossing.
On June 2, City Council approved more than $23 million in engineering and preconstruction contracts for the I-405 Crossing project.
The three contracts cover early-stage work on what Friends of the Grand Connection describes as the only pedestrian and bicycle bridge planned over I-405 in Bellevue, connecting downtown to the regional Eastrail trail network.
The council authorized:
- $1.92 million to Kraemer North America for preconstruction services (RES 10636)
- $5.77 million to HNTB Corporation for owner-advisory and project management (RES 10637)
- $15.37 million to WSP USA for final design and permitting through construction documents (RES 10638)
All three contracts fall under the state's alternative public works delivery framework (Chapter 39.10 RCW) for the project designated CIP Plan No. G-126. The items appeared on the consent calendar at the council's 6:00 p.m. meeting.
The crossing is part of the broader Grand Connection initiative, a corridor stretching from Meydenbauer Bay Park on Lake Washington through downtown and across I-405 to the Wilburton neighborhood.
The full project carries an estimated price tag of $200 million to $225 million, according to The Urbanist.
Nathan Torgelson, former Seattle permitting director, leads the city's Office of the Grand Connection, which was created to manage the project.
The project draws on multiple funding sources. All five taxing districts required to approve Bellevue's use of tax-increment financing gave the green light, including a unanimous vote from the King County Council, The Urbanist reported. City officials estimate the TIF district could generate roughly $68 million over 25 years.
A separate $2 million in federal Community Project Funding appeared in the U.S. House FY2026 Transportation-HUD appropriations bill, requested by Rep. Adam Smith of Washington.
"The Grand Connection Crossing is an investment that I think is a no-brainer," Deputy Mayor Dave Hamilton said during earlier discussions of the project's financing. "It will have a tremendous payoff for our community for a long time to come."
City officials have targeted completion for late 2029 to 2030.
At the same June 2 meeting, the council approved a $3.17 million design contract with HDR Engineering to advance the NE Spring Boulevard Zone 3 corridor (124th Avenue NE to 130th Avenue NE) to 90% design (RES 10635).
