The City of Bellevue is embarking on an ambitious initiative to deliver a vibrant pedestrian corridor known as the Grand Connection, which will link Lake Washington and the growing Wilburton district.
This initiative, which has been in development for over a decade, has gained momentum in 2023 with plans for a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge over I-405, and the Grand Connection Crossing stands as one of the most significant capital projects in Bellevue’s history.
To spearhead this effort, the city has announced the establishment of the Office of the Grand Connection, led by Nathan Torgelson, who recently transitioned from his role as Director of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI).
Torgelson’s departure from the SDCI was characterized as a mutual decision with Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, amid a complex tenure that saw record housing production but also challenges including an ethics scandal concerning preferential treatment in permitting processes.
With Torgelson taking the reins in Bellevue, the city continues to assert its ambitions within regional housing and transportation planning.
Bellevue City Manager Diane Carlson praised the Grand Connection program, emphasizing its innovative potential to transform public spaces and attract businesses and visitors alike.
In the fall, Bellevue’s City Council reviewed several concepts for the Grand Connection Crossing, focusing on a feasible cost range between $150 million and $200 million. The envisioned bridge would be 30 to 40 feet wide, positioned just south of the Sound Transit guideway, and would include public gathering spaces and at least one access point via stairs and an elevator.
A significant consideration for this project is its compatibility with a potential future highway lid over I-405, indicating the city’s broader vision for infrastructure development.
The creation of a centralized office aims to manage all elements of the Grand Connection and will focus on various areas, including land use and real estate planning, public space activation, engineering, and fiscal strategies.
While Bellevue sought $50 million in state transportation funding for the Grand Connection Crossing in 2025, recent challenges in Olympia related to funding shortfalls have complicated these aspirations.
Despite this setback, Bellevue’s lobbyists succeeded in securing $250,000, part of a larger $900,000 request, aimed at modifying the city hall plaza to integrate a future connection to the crossing.
In addition, the state legislature has amended existing laws to enable Bellevue to employ tax increment financing as part of its funding strategy for the crossing.
The city’s long-term growth strategy emphasizes focusing development in the Wilburton area, essential for sustainably realizing the region’s growth objectives.
The Wilburton neighborhood is strategically located as a multimodal hub, with a light rail station connecting to the forthcoming 42-mile Eastrail bike and pedestrian corridor, extending from Renton to Snohomish County. However, the area remains heavily oriented towards car-centric development.
Earlier this month, the Bellevue Council finalized a significant rezone, a decision poised to enable tens of thousands of new homes to be developed between the Eastside’s primary job centers.
This decision followed extensive discussions between housing advocates and business interests regarding development regulations and mandated affordable housing, all with a focus on ensuring that Wilburton’s redevelopment potential can be fully realized.
Additionally, the city recently approved a $1.4 million contract with engineering firm HNTB, Inc. to provide project management and advisory services. This partnership will support the city from full design through to construction, managing the intricacies associated with undertaking a project of this scale.
Initially, the city’s projection for the start of construction was in 2027, although realizing this timeline will depend on improvements in both the state and federal funding landscapes.
Nevertheless, moving towards complete design will position the Grand Connection with a shovel-ready plan, enabling the project to proceed swiftly once financial resources become available.
The Office of the Grand Connection is set to officially launch on July 16, marking a new chapter in Bellevue’s transformation and ambition towards a more interconnected community.
image source from：theurbanist
